Tinsel (Lark Cove #4)(44)

As a high-school kid, it was a thrill to have that kind of devotion. But that thrill had faded after three years together. I’d broken up with her a few months before I’d gone to work at the dude ranch.

I hadn’t wanted to hurt her, but it had been for the best. I’d known it after my first summer at the dude ranch. I’d see these powerful women walk through the door and capture the room. The idea of being with a woman like that sent electricity through my veins.

Petah never challenged me or pushed me to see things in a different light. For the right man, she would be the perfect partner.

But I wasn’t the right man.

Not when one look at Sofia gave me more energy than years with Petah had ever done.

I’d tried to make it clear to my family that Petah and I were never going to happen. She wouldn’t ever be my wife. We’d never have babies. But did they hear me? No. Here she was for a family function.

“Should we get started?” I asked Koko.

She frowned. “In a hurry to leave?”

Yes. “No. Just excited to learn her name.”

“We can’t start until the guys come back.” Rozene dug a bowl of crackers out of her purse for the little one on the floor. “They went to get the other kids.”

My brothers-in-law were both good guys. They were involved with the tribal council along with Dad. Koko’s husband worked as a lead prosecutor for the tribal court. Rozene’s husband worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

I liked them both. But when they were in the room, Dad was reminded that his only son was just a bartender. His disappointment would suck the happiness out of any occasion.

We stood around in silence for a few minutes except for the noises coming from the hallway as nurses walked by and a man in a walker shuffled past the door.

“Are you here for long?” Petah asked me quietly.

“No, I’m heading back today.”

“Would you like to have dinner before you leave? I made a casserole this morning; it’s the kind you like. It would be nice to catch up.”

The minute Koko’s baby was born, I bet she went right to the store to whip up that casserole. It was guaranteed I’d be home.

I sighed. “I can’t. I didn’t come alone.”

Dad was leaning against the far wall of the room next to some kind of monitor. He crossed his arms over his broad chest and shook his head. “You shouldn’t have brought her.”

Petah flinched at my side. “Her? Oh. I, um . . . sorry. I didn’t realize you were seeing someone.”

“I’m not.” I corrected because the pain radiating off her was hard to stomach. “She’s a coworker.” And my lover.

Clearly, Dad had derived that already, but I wasn’t going to spell it out for Petah.

If I was lucky, I could get out of here without Petah and Sofia seeing one another. I had no doubt Sofia could handle a run-in with my ex. But I wasn’t going to add insult to injury for Petah. I wasn’t going to rub it in that Sofia had the one thing Petah wanted so desperately.

My undivided attention.

The sound of little feet echoed down the hallway, and I held my breath, hoping it was one of my nieces or nephews. Sure enough, a familiar face rounded the corner and hurried into the room.

“Mama!” The little girl climbed right up on Koko’s bed, crawling up to the baby.

Her hair was tied back in the same leather strap as Mom’s. No doubt Dad had made all the girls in the family those hair ties, along with the boys who’d chosen to wear theirs long too. Just like their grandfather and great-uncle Xavier.

One by one, the room filled with children. My brothers-in-law walked in with wide grins on their faces.

“We’re here!” Koko’s husband, Ty, went right to her bedside and scooped up his new daughter, smiling brightly at his baby. “Ready to spill our secret?”

My heart thumped too hard as I watched the man gaze upon his latest creation. There was so much love and adoration in those eyes, I turned away.

Stop that shit. I’d made my decision. I’d chosen to follow my own path. And that path didn’t include children, so there was no point in getting soft at the sight of a proud father.

“Okay, you guys know how this works.” Koko shifted on the bed, sitting up higher and straightening the red robe around her shoulders. “We’ll pass the baby around and you have to introduce yourself to her.”

“I’ll go grab a coffee from the cafeteria.” Petah took a step for the door, but Koko shot out an arm.

“No! You should stay.”

“Oh, no. I don’t want to intrude.”

“Please? I’d like you to stay.” Koko’s eyes pleaded with Petah. “You’re like her aunt.”

Fuck my life. I clenched my jaw, trying to keep cool. The room was packed with people and even though I refused to look around, I knew they were all sending their thoughts my way.

Marry Petah. That came from Mom, Rozene and Koko.

Come home and take responsibility for who you are. That was from Dad.

Who is that guy again? That came from the kids.

“Koko and I flipped a coin and she lost. So I get to tell you guys this precious one’s name.” Ty came to my rescue, not for the first time, and brought the attention back to his new daughter. “Kimi. It means secret.”