Back Country (The Country Duet #2)(23)

“Thank you,” Teale whispers while still staring forward.

“No, Teale, thank you.” I reach over and lace my fingers in hers.

“We need to talk,” she says not making eye contact.

“Okay,” I agree.

“Dad said he’d take Baker tonight for a few hours after her party.” She finally turns to me. “Would that be okay?”

I nod. “I went out to Dave’s this morning, so I’m free the rest of the night.”

“It’s not a pretty story,” she winces at her own words.

“But it looks like the ending is beautiful.” I smile down at her, wanting nothing more than to kiss the hell out of her.

Just the mere connection of our hands holding each other is making me crazy. Driving in all the old memories with a torrid force, making me feel everything I’ve kept bottled up for her. I’ve always known she was the ending to my story. I just hope like hell that belief holds true.

“Momma, can you help me?” Baker hollers from the edge of the trampoline with her arms held wide open.

Teale’s a natural with her, pulling her into her chest, then skipping over to the foam pit. They count to three loud and slow then both leap into the foam pit. I cross my arms over my chest, feeling my heart swell to near impossible levels. If it could burst from happiness then it will be doing so any beat now.

“Hunter.”

I recognize the voice right away. It’s Frank, Teale’s dad, and the one guy I’ve had reservations about seeing again for several reasons. I’m pissed at him point blank. He knew what Teale was going through, and didn’t even give me one fucking clue to how screwed up it all was. The other part of me knows he’s going to be disappointed in me for walking out on his daughter without a second glance back. I never even gave her a chance to explain herself. I let my poisonous thoughts believe the worst, and I’ve been living with those consequences since then.

“Frank.” I turn and nod to him.

“See you two found your way back to each other.”

“We are trying,” my voice not friendly in the least.

“It’s all in or nothing, son. There’s no more running. Neither of those girls deserves any more heartbreak.” He squares his shoulders up to me in a fighting gesture.

I don’t back down, instead taking a few steps toward him. My anger flares up to a boiling point.

“I get that you were trying to protect your daughter. I really do, Frank, but a little heads-up would’ve been nice, and we could’ve avoided a whole hell lot of turmoil.”

“It was her story to tell. None of this has been easy on her. Teale’s life hasn’t been a normal one since she was fifteen.”

“I respected you, Frank, and expected the same in return. I never asked for the full story. We can agree to disagree that I was screwed in this situation.”

He grimaces, and I can tell he’s holding back an ass chewing he’s dying to give me. “Like I said, all in or all out.”

“Frank, if you even have to question that then you never deserved an ounce of my respect.”

I wince at my own words. They were harsh and to the point, but exactly how I felt. Having Teale back in my life has been exhilarating. The day I called her on the mountainside my heart made a choice to welcome her back into my life. The heart always knows what it wants.

By the time we sing the happy birthday song, have cake, and open presents, all the little girls are wilted with sweaty foreheads and flat hair, but none of their enthusiasm has faded. Baker’s face is bright with excitement as she blows out the candles on her cake. It takes her no time to tear into her presents. All of her friends try shoving their pink packages in her face to open first.

“Momma, I want the green and yellow one.” She points to my present with her chubby, little finger.

Talk about nerves like I’ve never felt. It shoots through my body, and I’m scared to death of her reaction. I should’ve bought her a trampoline or puppy, not some cheesy, plastic toys.

Baker tears through the layers of wrapping paper then she tilts her head to the side. Not even a split-second passes, before her face lights up and she screams in delight. All of her little friends oooh and ahh over the Shopkins.

“Thank you, Hunter.” She jumps up to her feet, racing over to me, and then hugs my legs. “Thank you. Thank you.”

I lean down until I’m face to face with her. “Anything for you.”

Those may be the most honest words I’ve ever spoken. Baker bounds back to her presents. I watch as she tucks the pack of bubble gum and chocolate bar down her shirt, apparently not wanting to share with her friends. Then the neon glittery pink wrapping paper flies up into the air landing wherever. Baker gets more Shopkins, which makes me proud. Then there’s ponies, Barbie’s, and dolls. Her final gift is from her Pappy and Teale. It’s not wrapped, instead carried out by Pappy and a mechanic from the shop.

It’s an intricate dollhouse with several levels. The detail is immaculate, with everything a regular house would have. Just on the two occasions, I’ve met Baker I’ve seen her excited, but her joy level just skyrocketed right out of the roof. She’s up and on her feet peering into each room with awe.

The next thing she does shocks the hell out of me. She begins crying and sobbing, but through her tears she thanks her Momma and Pappy, over and over again. I’ve been around my fair share of five-year-olds, and have never seen gratitude like this before.