The Country Duet(67)

“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 is 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 a 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 are harsh and to the point, but exactly how I feel. 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, Barbies, 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.

I take a seat by the demolished cake and observe the parents who trickle in and pick up their children. Once all of Baker’s friends are gone, she waltzes over to me climbing in my lap. She lets out a long yawn, then rubs her sleepy eyes.

“Did you have a good day?” I whisper into the top of her head.

She nods. “It was perfect.”

She yawns a few more times, and I watch as her little eyes begin to flutter shut.

“Want to know what I wished for?” She relaxes back in my arms until I’m holding her like a brand new baby.

“If you want to tell me.” I stare down into her perfect blueberry colored pupils.

“I wished for a Daddy. My momma told me she loves you. Talked about you ever since I came to live with her. I want a Daddy, Hunter.”

I open my mouth, but there are no words at this moment. Not one single word would even be able to express the pressure building up in my chest. All I can do is lean down and kiss her forehead. It’s only a matter of seconds before Baker’s eyes fall closed and her breathing evens out.