54 "oreos of truth"

"Good morning, Aunt Willow," Tate said as he sat with my father at the breakfast table.

"Mornin', Tate." I stepped in, examining their table.

"Willow? I like that. More than Willie, honestly," my father said.

I gave him a soft smile. "Casey's called me that since I was a kid," I said as I examined what they were eating for breakfast. "Are you guys eating Oreos for breakfast?" I asked as I could see the cookie crumbs along Tate's cheeks.

"No..." my father snickered to Tate.

Tate cackled. "Daddy. Low-fat and low-salt foods. Remember?"

Gently, I took the package from them. "Fine. But if an Oreo is what takes me out, there is no hope in the universe," my father smirked.

I laughed softly. "Well, I won't be letting it take you out. Now, Travis just arrived, Pop. He's outside."

"Travis is here?! Great! Just the man I needed to see." John stood up, rubbing Tate's head goodbye before walking out the front door.

I followed my father to witness the crazy amount of tractor trailers parking in my father's lot. Dozens of people started to unpack their things along with their horses. Travis was the biggest name in the horse business. If Travis wasn't a billionaire now, he would be in the next couple of years. He was the most cocky, most disrespectful man I'd ever met. But what he was, was loyal.

Growing up, I had to deal with him a lot since he was always hanging out with Rip. Rip was one of his best friends since they were in their twenties. Travis hated me—with a passion. He used to call me names and pick on me. God knows he still does. It would never stop. Even his workers did too. I was the end of everyone's jokes. Whenever he came into town, I hid. Normally. I wasn't a fan of the laughter.

"Where you been, blondie?" Walker's sweet voice rang out.

I stopped in my tracks to shoot him a smile as I saw him sitting on top of the fence post, watching the horses being led into the arena. "I slept in this morning. Figured I'd try to, at least," I said as he leapt down from the fence.

"You've been sleeping a hell of a lot lately." Gently, he pulled me against him. Lovingly, I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Don't be jealous," I snickered.

Walker gleamed as he patted my rear. "You feelin' okay lately?"

"I feel fine. Why do you ask?"

His body swayed me gently. "No reason." His lips kissed my tired cheek.

I lifted my head to stare into his pale green eyes. "What are you up to later?" I asked.

Walker shrugged. "Whatever these guys are doin', I guess." I cocked my head toward the mounds of cowboys.

"Okay. I'll come find you later. Sound good?" I peeled away from my lover very slowly.

He smiled and nodded his white hat before taking it off to kiss me slowly. "Sounds fine, pretty girl." He patted my butt one last time before I went to find my father standing beside the fence line as he shopped for horses with his mind.

"Have you told him yet?" my father whispered down to me.

My eyes widened at his question. How did he know? I told him when he was unconscious weeks ago.

"I... uh... I just..." I stared down at the dirt below my feet.

"He has a right to know, honey," my father insisted.

"I know... but I think he's loving someone better these days," I said as my eyes scanned the world around me. I didn't want to make eye contact with my father.

"Wills... I ain't gonna tell you what to do... but I will say a baby needs a daddy."

Says the man who wasn't much of a father to me.

I bowed my head again. "His eyes have been wandering, Daddy," I mumbled.

"A real man would fix that the moment he hears those three words." My father held a pen and notepad in his hands as he examined the horses being displayed before him.

I stayed quiet. I watched Walker laughing with Travis. I couldn't imagine myself being hurt by Walker—not again. I love him so much. I can't imagine my life without him. The way he speaks to me. The way he cares for me. I just can't imagine him loving another woman.

"How far along are you?" my father spoke quietly beside me.

I bowed my head once again. "About ten weeks... not too far along." I picked at the dirt under my fingernails as I listened to my father.

"I suggest you pack up your things and move back into your bedroom, Wills," my father stated.

I glanced at him with a soft smile. "Fine. Fine. I'll grab my things later, okay?"

"Good. It's about time." His hand caressed my back in a gleeful manner.

I was a bit taken aback by his happiness toward me. I didn't have any words to respond with. Quite honestly, it confused me.

"Sir... Jimmy's back," Rip said as he came from the bunkhouse.

My father let out a long, stressful sigh. "Alright... guess that's on my to-do list today," John mumbled as he walked toward the bunkhouse where Jimmy sat outside, fresh from the hospital.

He had a splint along his neck and a brace hugging his abdomen. He sat beside his girlfriend, Mia, who gushed all over him like a dog in heat. Jimmy looked defeated—almost ashamed—the moment he made eye contact with my father.

Jimmy promised my father that he wouldn't ride a horse as a game ever again. He swore to John that he would never join a rodeo ever. Jimmy lied. Jimmy went against my father's words.

"What's he gonna do with him?" I asked Rip as we watched my father speak to Jimmy from afar.

Rip sighed as he slipped on his sunglasses. "I'm not fully positive, peanut," Rip grunted as he stretched his back out a bit. "I'm thinking he's gonna send him away. Somewhere he can become a better man."

"A better man? He made a mistake. Doesn't make him a worse man," I defended Jimmy.

Rip sighed. "Not like that. He just needs some growing up to do. If he ain't following rules here, he'll find out how to follow rules on a harsher ranch."

"What ranch?" I asked.

"Your old man was talking about the Four Sixes." Rip was hesitant to tell me that.

The Sixes were one of the biggest ranches in the country. They had the best horses, best livestock, and the best cowboys known to man. It was also in Texas—one of the most venomous states in the country. Every inch had some kind of venomous creature, either an animal, a bug, or a man. I heard that ranch could turn a man insane in a few days.

Jimmy isn't that material. I personally do not think he'll be okay. He would be alone, stressed, and worked like a dog. But he is strong. I know that for a fact.

I also questioned if he would take Mia with him.

So far, my father's conversation wasn't going well for Jimmy. He sulked as he watched my father step away. Jimmy then took his sad mind inside the bunkhouse to find Mia, I suppose.

"Don't worry about him, hun. Help me, okay?" Rip stated before my father returned to his shopping.

I felt bad for him. Jimmy came here to better himself just to feel like a failure.

I left Rip and my father before moving into the barn to check on the horses. Bird was ready to pop. She was in agony all the time. She paced the ground constantly, just looking for a comfortable place to lay. I thought for sure she would give birth in the next couple of days—any second, honestly.

I watched her. With patience, I watched her. Soon enough, I would relate to her. I would understand her pain more than I do now.

She grunted at me, almost like a plea for help. I couldn't help her. There was nothing that could be done but wait it out.

"Sorry. I'll come back later," Jimmy spoke up as he turned around.

"I don't bite, Jim. We may have our differences, but we don't have to be strangers," I said as I picked at the wood from the barn stall beneath my fingertips.

"Yeah..." he said simply as he grabbed his rope from the wall.

Jimmy began to gather his things in silence. Then I spoke up. "You're gonna do fine... just like how you became who you are now. You were terrified of this place at first, but now you're doing great. It's just a hiccup in the road, Jimmy—not the end of the world. I know you're gonna do fantastic."

I glanced over at him as he stared at the ground, listening to me. He was still pitiful. I believe what hurt him the worst was disappointing my father.

"You haven't disappointed me yet," I said. "I'm excited to see what you accomplish down there." I gave him a soft smile.

Jimmy's eyes finally shifted to look me in the eye. "You think so?"

I nodded. "I know so, Jimmy. I know you. You're gonna be fine."

I crossed my arms comfortably. "Thanks," Jimmy said as he tucked his rope under his armpit and walked out.

Before leaving, he stopped to call my name. "Wills... I gotta tell you something."

He seemed nervous. I furrowed my brows. "What is it?"

"I should've told you sooner, but Mia wouldn't let me even look in your direction..."

"What is it?" I stepped closer.

"It's Walker. When Mia and I go out, Laramie is always with us. And with Laramie is always... Walker."

I frowned heavily. "What are you saying?"

Jimmy sighed. "Walker and Laramie... they hook up. On a regular. I promised Mia I wouldn't tell, but I can't see you get hurt."

I was speechless. My arms went limp at my sides as the truth finally surfaced—the things I'd been ignoring were now common knowledge. I felt sick.

"I'm sorry, Willie," he bowed his head.

I turned my back to him, stepping toward the stall. "You're being honest?" I asked quietly.

"The God-honest truth, Willow."

I felt dumb. Like a complete idiot for not allowing myself to see it sooner.

"Hey, Jim. Heard about your relocating. Good luck, bud," Walker's voice entered the barn.

Jimmy nodded and left, leaving me with the liar.

"Hey, blondie. Did you wanna talk now? Said you had something to tell me?" Walker's arms wrapped around my expanding waistline.

I faced him with no tears left to cry. I wrapped my arms around his neck, cupping his cheeks. I examined his face one last time.

"If... if you ever stopped loving me... would you tell me?" I asked.

Walker smiled softly. "I could never stop loving you, baby doll. No matter what." He pressed his lips to my palm lovingly.

"If... if you didn't want me anymore, would you tell me?" I asked, trying to hold my emotions back.

"Of course, baby. What's this all about?"

I shook my head. "It's nothing."

I watched his crow's feet as he smiled. I traced his beard line, kissed his cheeks and chin like it was the last time.

"What did you wanna tell me?" he asked again.

I shook my head. "Here." I pulled a bag of Oreos from my coat pocket.

His smile widened. "Holy shit! You remembered!" He shoved a cookie into his mouth. "Ugh! Still the best."

I didn't smile. I just stared at him.

"I love you," I said.

"I love you too, baby."

"I love you... more than words can describe," I whimpered.

"Is everything okay? You're acting funny," he said, pulling me closer.

"Walker..." I whimpered again.

"What, blondie?" He held my head against him.

"Walker, I'm pre—"

A loud squeal made us jump. Beside us, a horse was born—a brand-new baby colt. Bird helped her son to his feet.

"Oh my God," I cheered.

"Look at that, Wills. You got your Johnny Cash!"

I smiled. "Wow! Look at him! Go!"

"I should probably go tell Tate," I said.

"Go on and get him. I'll wait right here for you."

If only he would actually wait for me...To be with me.And love me