Page 14 of Cougar

“Thanks, B.”

The sliding door opens and Jessica, my sister-in-law, walks out. “Hey, Em,” she says, giving a cautious wave as if I’m some kind of cornered animal.

“I’ll be inside if you need me,” Bass chuckles before pressing a kiss to my temple and heading inside.

Jessica Mackenzie is a sweet little lamb who married into a family of lions. Max had more than his fair share of girlfriends in high school and college, but the moment Jessica stepped through our front door—beautiful, blonde, bright blue eyes, tall and lithe, her hand clasped in Max’s—I knew she was the one. I also knew she was on the college swim team because Max talked about her nonstop. He was in love with her. Weallwere.

A year later, they were married and shortly after, Jessica became pregnant with their first child, Dylan. It was the only birth I was present for. Max and Jessica went on to have two more boys, Cole and Aiden.

Though our family is close, I’ve missed out on seeing my nephews grow up. It’s one of the few things in my life that I regret.

Jessica sits on the outdoor sofa, propping her feet up on the coffee table, and pats the space beside her. “Sit down, Emerson. Believe it or not, I’m on your side.”

I do believe it. She’s always been on my side. Max is a pain in my ass, and back to taking his big brother role too seriously. Not only is he overprotective but he’s bossy. I don’t like being told what to do, never have, but it seems Max has forgotten. Don’t get me wrong. I love my brother, and I would be the first one in line if he needed a kidney, but we’re too much alike, and many times Marcus and Jessica have had to play referee.

“I’m sorry, Emerson, but I think it’s bullshit. I mean no disrespect to Marcus, but what was he thinking? You’re all she has left, and sending her to Heritage will devastate her. She needs you.”

“Thank you,” I sigh. “I needed to hear that.”

“We’re all heading back tomorrow, but if you need me to stay, I will.”

I shake my head. “We’ll be fine. Bass and Grace are here.”

Jessica nods. “So what’s your plan?”

I blow out a breath. “To be honest, I think after you guys leave, I just want to be alone for a little while.” Being alone is something I’ll need to get used to. “It’s been a little chaotic since Marcus died.” Mostly in my head.

Jessica nods again, eyeing me.

“What if I fail as a single parent?” I ask.

“You won’t.” She turns her body to face me, tucking one leg under the other, and exhales a deep sigh. “The day we got the call about Willow, my entire world crumbled in a matter of seconds. One moment I’m standing in my kitchen having a conversation with my boys, and the next I’m on the floor holding Cole and hysterically crying. I’ll never be able to erase the memory of Cole’s pale and frightened expression for as long as I live.” She shakes her head, tears pooling in her eyes. “I’d never felt fear like that before.” I reach over to squeeze her hand.

I’ll never forget the phone call I got that day either. Just a few months after my nephew Cole celebrated his sixteenth birthday, he became a father. Willow Jade Mackenzie was born into a chaotic world and a crazy family who loved her instantly. Her story was tragic before she even took her first breath.

I swore I’d never go back to my hometown, but my family needed me. So a few days later, Marcus, Bass, and I flew to Heritage Bay, leaving Jay in the care of Grace, Liam, and Cam. Marcus was reluctant to leave her with two bachelor playboys but she couldn’t come with us so he didn’t have a choice.

According to Cole, he’d met the girl at a college party and hadn’t seen her again until he bumped into her at his doctor’s office where she worked. He didn’t recognize her but she recognized him. A few days later, she showed up at the house, introduced herself and told him the baby she was carrying was his.

Instead of immediately going to Max and Jessica, as he should’ve, Cole kept it a secret for weeks. Then he received a call from the hospital notifying him that Willow’s mother had died in a car accident and Willow was in the NICU.

At the hospital, Max, Jessica, and Cole learned that Willow’s mother was a twenty-year-old college student working to pay her way through school while caring for her younger sister and only living family member. Because her sister was a minor, her information remained confidential.

“I’d wondered where Max and I had gone wrong with Cole,” Jessica continues. “We’ve always allowed our boys to express themselves freely, as long as they were honest and respectful. I thought maybe that was the problem. We weren’t strict enough. But when Cole stepped up and took responsibility for his little girl, I knew Max and I hadn’t failed as parents. The situation was unfortunate, but we wouldn’t change a thing.”Unfortunate and sad.

“This little girl is your miracle. She could’ve died with her mother, and you would’ve never had the chance to know her. But she’s here. She’s a precious gift, Cole.” Marcus leaned down and pressed a kiss to Willow’s forehead. “We’ll help you along the way, as long as you promise to give her what she needs.”

“I’ll do my best.” Cole blew out a breath in frustration. “Can I ask for a favor?”

“Whatever you need.”

“Don’t tell Jay. I want to be the one to tell her, when I’m ready.”

To this day, Cole still hasn’t told Jay the truth. Instead, Jay, like everyone else outside our family, believes Willow is adopted. Max and Jessica had offered to adopt Willow, but Cole refused. He was devastated and scared, but he’s also a Mackenzie, stubborn and eager to prove himself.

And he has.

“Despite your brother’s unwarranted opinions of your parenting choices, you’ve done an amazing job with Jay. And when you come back to Heritage, we’ll be there to help you with whatever you need. Cole is excited for Jay to be closer. I know Willow will be, too.”

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