Page 53 of Runaway Bride For The Rancher

She reeked of whiskey.

“Do you even know the first thing about being a mother?” I pinched my nose tight with my thumbs to protect myself from the smell.

“Don’t say that to me. I gave birth to him, didn’t I?” She asked.

“Like it matters? Is that the thing that makes you a mother?

A seething anger boiled within me, an inferno of frustration and resentment that I couldn’t articulate. My words felt inadequate, incapable of capturing the intensity of my rage. It was a silent storm, churning and twisting, but locked behind a dam of restraint.

“And if I didn’t give birth to him, would you be the goody-goody father that you’re now?” She said with a funny voice tomock me. Then she sat down and crossed her legs. I flashed back to how things ended between us.

After Mike’s fifth birthday, she had gone back to her life of partying, drinking, and clubbing. Once, I’d caught her with another man outside of town, and that was it for me. I returned immediately and started packing her things outside. She came home and without any pleas took off with her things and left.

“Audrey! Tell me; what do you want?” I asked again.

“Now you and I can talk like two adults,” she started, then she winked at me.

“I just want my family back.” She said.

“What family?” I wrinkled my nose and the center of my forehead.

“My husband and my son.” She reported.

The acrid scent of whiskey hung heavily in the air, and I found myself profoundly worried by the presence of a drunk woman nearby. Her stumbling steps and slurred words grated on my nerves. It wasn't her state of inebriation that bothered me most, but the careless disregard for my house and the son she claimed she wanted back.

“I can let you stay, but you’ll go nowhere near my room or my son’s room. You’ll only see him in an open place, I don’t trust you to be with him alone.” I said.

She smiled and looked at me. “I knew you would come around. I know the man I married,” she said.

“Yes, about that, there’s nothing here between us and there never will be. You had your chance, and you blew it. That chance is gone and will never come back. The sooner you understand this, the better for us and the more peace we’ll have in this house. I’m not your husband; not anymore,” I said. “Do I’ve to repeat myself?”

“Yes sir!” She saluted with both her two legs tightly pressed together and her right hand on her forehead like a policeman.

“Good! Now get your things and go to your room.” I said. “The last room on your right. That’s the one, and I’m only doing this, because you took it upon yourself to come all the way here.” I added.

She stood up and made her way for the room. She bumped into the wall and started laughing loudly as her whiskey-laden breath filled my nostrils. My patience wore thin, and I struggled to maintain composure, my irritation mounting with each passing moment.

The pungent odor of alcohol clung to her; a reminder of the disruption caused by her intoxicated state. I immediately started feeling pity for her. She had not changed one bit since the last time I saw her, and somehow, I couldn’t help thinking if things would have gone differently.

The day grew gray, and night came fast. It was dinner time, and I’d just finished cooking for everyone. I set the table and decided to go call Michael to come down for dinner. He loved eating dinner with me, and I made sure I was always home for dinner with him even if I missed breakfast.

“Son! Come out, it’s dinner time,” I said from outside his room. I heard him scream out of excitement. A smile coated my face as I waited for him to come out. He came out and gave me a bright smile.

My heart swelled with joy as I watched my son's face light up with excitement when he opened the door. It had been a busy week, and our family time had become scarce.. “Let’s go, Dad!” He said. I really wanted to tell him that his Mom was around. He needed to know before he saw her.

But as a parent, witnessing his happiness was a cherished moment. He rushed to get ready, his enthusiasm palpable in every step. His infectious energy lifted my spirits, and I couldn’t help but share in his enthusiasm. It was in these simple, spontaneous moments that the bond between us grew stronger.

As much as I wanted to preserve this moment, I knew there was no more time. I leaned down and Michael immediately turned to me, frowning.

“Hey, son,… I should’ve told you sooner.” I tried to talk to him.

“You can tell me now.” He responded.

“Mom came back today, Mike. She came to see you.”

“What do I say, Dad?”

“Just say hello, son.” I squeezed his shoulder, and he nodded nervously.

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