Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
They’re arguing about Jesse’s intentions, but it’s pointless when what he wants is never going to happen. In the beginning, I resented my dad for putting me into the auction and these men for buying me. Only the thoughts of Molly kept all of those feelings at bay. But the longer I’ve been here, the more of a connection I feel with these three lonely cowboys who’ve gone to such lengths to find companionship. The thought of leaving them is crushing, but the thought of staying when my presence is driving such a wedge between them, and their family feels just as wrong.
“I can’t get pregnant,” I blurt. “You can try all you like, but it won’t happen.” I brave a look at Jesse. His bottomless blue eyes are narrowed and unreadable, and his jaw muscles noticeably clench. He inhales deeply but when he breathes out, color rises in his cheeks and his eyes darken. The mood which has settled in the room is thick and heavy, but I still feel safer here than I ever did at my father’s house.
“What do you mean?” Maverick eyes my belly, concern written in the wideness of his eyes. I realize he thinks I’m damaged goods.
“I have a birth control implant,” I confirm.
“Jesse—” Clint’s voice bears a warning tone, but it does nothing to stop Jesse as he lunges forward and reaches for me. Thrown off balance, my instincts take over, and I flinch, braced for violence, but instead of hurting me, he takes my arm, searching for the lump beneath my skin. When he finds what he’s looking for, he blinks, and his shoulders sag, defeated.
“I’m sorry to upset your plans, Jesse, but I’m not ready to get pregnant.” I step back, twisting my fingers together, and I try to find the words I need to explain how I feel. “I’m not ready for the responsibility of a family.”
I could mention Molly and the fact I was a child raising a child, but this isn’t the right time.
Jesse shakes his head. I can tell he wants to argue his point, but something is holding him back.
“I’m too young, and this is too new. I’m not ready.”
“It’s okay.” Maverick holds out a hand to reassure me, and Jesse juts out his jaw in response.
“And—” I hesitate. The next part needs to be said, but all of this is so far outside of my experience. I’ve never been able to advocate for myself, but I need to. “You shouldn’t want to make me go through something so radically life-changing without my consent and agreement.”
My throat burns with tears and embarrassment. I don’t wait around long enough to hear a response. Running away from the confrontation that’s boiling behind Jesse’s tense exterior is the only option. My feet pound against the stairs, and when I’m back in my room, I slam the door, my heart hammering in my ears. I press my back to the cool wood and whisper a silent prayer that Jesse will forgive me. I don’t want what he wants. Am I useless to him now? A burden rather than a blessing.
For all of the conflict happening here, my priority has to be Molly and finding a way to reunite us. Regret rushes through me, stealing my breath and clenching my fists. I should have kept quiet and pretended. I’m getting dragged into the politics of this place where I should have just kept my head down, done what they wanted me to do, and kept the peace. I could have covered up the fact I’m on birth control for months without Jesse assuming.
But surely, being open and honest has to count for something and will show them that it matters to me.
“Just leave her, for God’s sake,” Maverick yells. All the happiness and positivity that usually gives his voice a soft drawl is replaced with fury.
I expect Jesse to come to my room and force more conversation. I know he won’t handle the disappointment well, but Clint and Maverick will want to keep him away for now. I can trust them with that much, I realize.
I sink into my mattress, curl into a ball, and close my eyes.
Sometime later, when I’m calmer, and I’ve turned over every detail of yesterday and today’s events in my mind, my phone starts to ring in the drawer beside my bed.
I reach for it, my heartbeat accelerating immediately. I’ve charged it every night and left it on every day, but so far, it’s remained silent. I glance at the screen before answering it quickly.
“Natalie?”
“Taylor, thank God you answered.” She sounds out of breath, like she’s been running or she’s panicking.
“What is it? What’s wrong? Is it Molly?” I try to keep the desperation out of my voice, but I know I don’t succeed.
A sob carries from the background, and I clench the phone to my head, straining to hear. “Molly came to the bakery earlier. She’s in a bad way. I brought her home with me. I didn’t know what else to do. She’s really scared, Taylor, and I don’t know where you are. Molly needs you. Your dad has smashed the place up, looking for money. He told Molly he was going to sell her. None of it makes any sense. She’s just a kid. This whole thing sounds shady. Can you come? Can you get here?”