Page 33 of The Jackpot Screwer
“Yeah, it is, but I don’t want that for any of my kids. I want them all to know how hard it is to keep a relationship going and to be sure that they and their partner always make the effort.” He sat back in his chair and ran a hand through his thick hair. “Maybe, it’s our fault that Bronte is second guessing you and her and I’m sorry for that. You’re a good man and I believe you when you say she and the baby are what you want.”
“They really are, Jim.”
He nodded. “Okay. So, you need to prove that you have the staying power to her. That you’ll be the guy who always makes an effort with her, even thirty years down the line.”
“I will, I swear.” And I meant it. “A life without Bronte isn’t something I even want to contemplate – now or in thirty years. I know it sneaked up on both of us after a lifetime of fighting, but now I can’t picture my life any other way. Honestly, Jim, I love your daughter. I know I’ll always love your daughter and I’ll do whatever I can to always show her that.”
Jim smacked the arm of his chair. “Okay then. I guess you have some work to do.”
“Yes sir, I do.” I pulled the shopping list from my pocket. “I came to talk to Bronte about maybe going shopping for all this. You think she’ll go for it?”
Jim leaned forward, took the list from me and read it.
“That’s a pretty long list,” he said with a whistle. “And you know me and Darce will help out.”
“No need. I’m good for it.”
As he handed the piece of paper back to me, my mobile shrilled in my pocket and Darcy came into the room with a glass of water.
“Here you go, honey,” she said, placing it on the coffee table as I pulled my phone from my pocket.
“Thanks, Darcy.” I smiled up at her and then read the message. “Oh shit, sorry. I need to go. A horse has been caught in an RTA on the Middleton Ridge road.”
Jim stood at the same time as I did. “Damn that’s gotta be bad.”
“Oh no,” Darcy gasped. “I hope it’s okay.”
“Thanks for the chat, Jim,” I said and moved for the door. “Will you tell Bronte that I called on her.”
“Yes, sure, son. Now go and drive safe.”
As I drove my car away from the house, I heaved a sigh of relief. Even though I was about to go and experience something pretty awful, it could never be as scary as facing Jim Jackson about his pregnant daughter.
“Hey, honey,” Mom said as I walked through the door. “You just missed Carter.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Carter was here? He didn’t wait?”
“Had to go to an RTA,” Dad answered as he came into the living room and kissed my head. “A horse is involved.”
“Oh my God,” I gasped. “I hope it’s going to be okay.” My heart lurched at the thought of Carter dealing with an injured horse in what might be a dangerous situation. “He’ll be okay, right?”
“The horse or Carter?” Dad asked with a wry smile. “I’m pretty sure both will be fine. Carter’s a great vet and the highway patrol will make sure he’s perfectly safe.”
Chewing on my bottom lip, I stared out of the window to my car.
“No, sweetheart,” Dad said, running a hand down my hair. “Don’t even think about it.”
“I-I wasn’t.”
Mom laughed. “You can’t fool us.” She pulled me down onto the couch with her. “Honey, why are you doing this to yourself? You obviously love him.”
Dad sat down on his chair, at least I supposed it was still his chair seeing as he didn’t live with us any longer. Which was another thing, why was he at the house? I knew he’d called in for lunch with Mom, but it was way past that.
“I know you want him to be sure, sweetheart.” Dad’s eyes were full of concern as he looked between me and Mom. “And I’ve spoken to him and am pretty sure he’s all in.”
“You spoke to him?” My eyes widened as worry pulled at me. “You didn’t hit him, did you?”
“No,” Dad said around a laugh. “Of course, I didn’t. We had a good talk.”
