Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
I watch as he walks away, my heart pounding in my chest. Whatever just happened between us, it’s far from over.
And I’m not sure if I’m terrified or excited about that.
The soft glow of the lamp spills from Carson’s room as I tiptoe down the hall. It’s late, and the house is quiet except for the low murmur of Cal’s voice. I pause at the doorway, leaning against the frame, unnoticed.
Inside, Cal sits on the edge of Carson’s bed, his broad shoulders hunched forward as he holds a book in his hands. Carson is curled up under the covers, his big brown eyes wide with wonder as he listens.
“…and the little duckling wandered through the reeds, lost and scared,” Cal reads, his voice low and steady, rich with emotion. “But then he heard a croak, and out hopped a frog. ‘Don’t worry,’ said the frog. ‘We’ll keep you safe.’”
Carson clutches his stuffed bear closer. “What happens next?”
Cal turns the page, the soft rustle of paper filling the quiet. “The duckling stayed with the frogs for a while, learning how to swim in their pond. But soon, he met some loons who showed him how to dive deep for food. And when winter came, the geese took him south, teaching him to fly.”
Carson’s brows knit together, and he looks up at Cal. “But what about his real family? Did they come back?”
Cal hesitates, the weight of the question settling over the room. “Sometimes, people leave, buddy,” he says softly, his thumb brushing over the edge of the book. “But it doesn’t mean they stop loving you. And it doesn’t mean you won’t find other people to love you, too.”
Carson tilts his head. “Like you and me?”
My heart clenches. I wipe at the corner of my eye, the lump in my throat making it hard to breathe.
Cal nods, his voice thick with emotion. “Yeah, like us. I wasn’t expecting to be your dad, but here we are. And I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Carson snuggles deeper into his blankets. “Do you think there’s a Heaven?”
“I do,” Cal says, his voice unwavering. “And I think your mom is up there, watching you. She’s proud of the young gentleman you’re becoming.”
Carson’s eyes glisten as he whispers, “You think so?”
“I know so,” Cal says, leaning down to kiss Carson’s forehead. “She loves you just as much now as she ever did.”
Tears spill down my cheeks as I watch them, the depth of Cal’s love for Carson hitting me like a wave. He’s not just a grumpy cowboy with a sharp tongue; he’s a man with a heart so big, it could hold the whole world.
Carson’s voice pulls me back. “Do you think I’ll ever have another mom? Like… a new one?”
Cal freezes for a moment, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows. His gaze flicks to the doorway where I’m standing, his eyes locking with mine. I hold my breath, unable to move.
“I think,” he says carefully, “that sometimes, when you least expect it, the right person comes along. Someone who fits into your family like they were always meant to be there.”
Carson’s sleepy voice murmurs, “Like Layla?”
My hand flies to my mouth, but Cal doesn’t look away. His gaze softens, a flicker of something I can’t quite name—hope, maybe—dancing in his eyes.
“Maybe,” he says, his voice low. “But that’s a big question for another day, buddy. Right now, it’s time for you to sleep.”
Carson yawns, his eyes fluttering closed. “’Night, Dad.”
“Goodnight, kiddo,” Cal murmurs, setting the book aside and standing.
I quickly step back into the shadows, wiping at my cheeks as Cal steps into the hallway. He closes Carson’s door with a quiet click and turns, his sharp blue eyes finding me immediately.
“How long were you standing there?” he asks, his voice low but not accusing.
“Long enough,” I admit, my voice trembling. “Cal, that was… beautiful.”
He shrugs, his hand rubbing the back of his neck like he’s uncomfortable with the compliment. “Just doing my job.”
“No,” I say, stepping closer. “It’s more than that. The way you love him… it’s everything. And the way you talked about me… about us…” My voice breaks, and I take a shaky breath. “I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that.”
He steps closer, his presence grounding and overwhelming all at once. “You mean it?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “You and Carson… you’ve given me something I didn’t even know I was missing. I ran away from my wedding thinking I’d lost everything, but now…” I meet his gaze, my heart hammering in my chest. “Now I think I found what I was always meant to have.”
His hand comes up, his fingers brushing my cheek, warm and rough against my skin. “Layla,” he murmurs, his voice a mix of gruffness and tenderness that makes my knees weak. “You’ve changed everything.”
“So have you,” I whisper, my hand coming up to rest on his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my palm.