Still Here: A Secret Baby Romance (17 page)

“
W
here are we going
?” I asked as I looked over at him. I’d gotten into his truck at his request when he stopped by my place after work, but he hadn’t given me any details.

“Don't you worry about that. I have a job for you though” he said as he looked at me from the other side of the truck. He was being so mysterious, but I didn't understand why.

And I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a part of this game.

“I need you to call your mom, and if you just tell her to meet us at the amphitheater tonight, that would be awesome. I have a little surprise for her. For you both, really.” His eyes sparkled as he said it.

“So what are you getting at? The amphitheater?” The last time we were there everything fell apart. It was the last a place that I wanted to go to. I’d even avoided it on my way too and from work, driving the long way around. I didn’t want this second chance to get ruined for any reason. But he worked so hard to build it, and to provide for the town. It had been open for a few days and I really needed to get over it.

The man was giving back to his community and he was trying to give back to me. The least I could do was enjoy the beautiful space he’d renovated.

“Are you sure everything is okay?” I asked.

“Look, you don't need to worry about it. This is not a bad thing. I want to show you what I'm capable of.” I knew what he was capable of. Anything he put his mind to. That was Wyatt. Strong and capable. And so damn handsome in profile view.

I did what he asked me. I dialed my mother and I waited for her to answer the phone. I’d do anything he wanted, really. It wasn’t that hard.

“Hello?” my mom said.

“Hi mom, how are you doing?” I asked.

“I’m doing fine. Really well, actually. But I’ll tell you about that later. What do you need, sweetie?” she asked.

“How do you know I need something? Can’t a girl just call her mom and ask how she is doing?” I asked. I did need something from her, but that was beside the point.

“Of course. But what do you need?” she asked again. I could almost hear her smile in the background. She’d always been able to read me. Even over the phone and a hundred miles away.

She called it mother’s intuition.

“It isn’t about what I need. It’s about what Wyatt needs. He wants you to meet us at the amphitheater. The new one that he had built for Laurel. Do you think you could do that?” I asked.

“What?” she said. “Why?”

“I honestly don’t know. It’s all some kind of secret plot he is hatching, but if you could be there tonight at seven it would make his day,” I said.

“Is he there?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I answered.

“Give the phone to him.”

“What?” I asked.

“You heard me, give the phone to him.” She sounded a little bit impatient.

I covered the microphone end and said, “She wants to talk to you.” I must’ve sounded surprised because he just chuckled.

“Hand the phone over,” he said. So I did.

“Hello, Miranda, how are you doing?” he said. I knew that charm of his. I knew it well. It wouldn’t work on someone like my mother. She was wise to a man like him.

I couldn’t make out the words on her end, but she sounded pleased.

“That’s wonderful. You should tell her that in person tonight. I am sure she will be glad to hear it,” he said. I gave him a puzzled look, but he just shook his head.

I wasn’t going to hear it from him. That was clear.

“Listen, I’d like you to come down to the park tonight. I’m having a small get together, yeah, and I wanted to invite you. It’s important. Do you think you can be there?” he asked.

She said something and he said, “Yes, exactly. That’s what it is about. Okay, Miranda. We’ll see you there.”

I glared at him as he handed over the phone. I thought she would at least get more out of him.

“What was that about?” I asked her.

“It’s a surprise. Besides, don’t you like surprises?”

“You know I don’t, traitor,” I said.

“I’m not a traitor. I’m team Wyatt.” She was in a great mood. It was nice just to hear her laugh. Almost made me forgive her for this. Almost.

“I’ll see you tonight mom, I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetie.”

I hung up the phone and looked over at him.

“Everyone just loves you, don’t they?” I asked a little sour, but only in jest. He was turning all of my friends against me and now my own family. It was all in good fun though.

“It depends, do you love me?” he asked, his eyebrow rose. It was like he was daring me to take it back. But I wouldn’t. Not now and not for anything. I loved that man, and I wasn’t going to change my mind.

“I do.” I admitted. I was team Wyatt too, I had to admit it. Just not to anyone else. It would stay my secret.

“Then relax because I want to show you a good time tonight.

That was easier said than done.

I
pulled
every last string I had but I got it all done. I was ready for this.

This was going to be a night that she would remember for the rest of her life. Whether or not that was a good thing remained to be seen.

I pulled into the little parking lot and looked out over it. A string of twinkling lights lit up the stage and was wrapped around several small poles, lighting up the sky. The band was there too, and a small group of people.

I figured a little impromptu concert for the town was in order. I just had to get our parents to sit next to each other and everything would go as planned.

Since when does anything ever go as planned?

“What is going on? Rose asked as she stepped out of the truck and looked over the park amphitheater. It was packed. What was supposed to be a small group of people was a massive crowd.

What the hell? I swallowed as I walked towards the group. Hell, I wouldn’t be able to find my father in this. I contemplating bailing, but I couldn’t. I’d set this up just for us. Just for tonight. It wasn’t anyone’s fault that the town wanted to enjoy the entertainment.

It was my own for thinking that a town like this wouldn’t come down and see what was going on. The amphitheater was officially open this time, so it wasn’t restricted.

“Isn’t it great?” Suzie Reynolds said as she walked up to Rose. “I heard they were having the string quartet with a special violinist so I told the whole town. Didn’t have enough time to make a ton of fliers but I did manage to get some put up at Cherry’s.” She grinned at us both and I fought the urge to curse her. Suzy had always been a pain in the ass, and now she was a special one.

“Where is your dad?” Rose asked as Suzy walked away.

“What?” I asked. Oh, right. Him. The plan.

I grabbed my phone and dialed his number, and then I waited. He answered. “What in the hell is going on?” Ah, the first words out of his mouth and they were a lovely sound. Not.

“Where are you?” I asked.

“I had to park all the way down at Cherry’s. The place is packed.”

“Yeah, I know. We got a spot up by the park. Meet us at my truck.”

“That old hunk of junk? That’s what you are carting her around in?” He asked. I didn’t answer him. I just hung up the phone.

Yes that old hunk of junk. It was my pride and joy. Well, besides my Chevelle.

“Well?” Rose asked.

“He’s coming.”

She was nervous. Antsy.

“Are you feeling okay?” I asked.

“Just a little queasy,” she answered.

“Let me get you an ginger ale.” I said as I walked up to the vending machine and bought her a soda. I felt so helpless.

It was something I was going to have to get used to. I couldn’t just sweep in and save her. She was going to have to deal with the morning sickness and the aches and pains all on her own.

I
looked around the crowd
. I was surprised. It almost seemed like every single person in Laurel was there. All three-thousand of the small town. For a little concert.

“I take it you didn’t plan this?” I asked.

“No, I thought it would be like the other night. Vacant except for us,” he said.

But that was before the park officially opened. Before people realized what was going on. Word must have gotten out about the band and where there was free entertainment there were people. And a lot of them.

We all took our seats in the front and sat and waited. All of us except for Wyatt.

“You’ll need to give me a minute, I need to go ahead and speak to the band,” he said as he excused himself. I was left sitting next to my mother, who was sitting next to his father.

And neither of them were talking.

And then I saw Jess. I waved at her and prayed that she would come over and ease the tension between the two of them. I didn’t know details but I knew they were an item once upon a time. Before I was even thought of.

She didn’t come over, but she did wave me over. Even better.

“I’ll be right back, you guys. Go ahead and chat. I’m going to talk to Jess.” I stood up and smiled at the two of them. They just glanced awkwardly at each other. Right, like this was going to go well.

“You go ahead, honey. Leave me here, I’ll survive.” My mom knew exactly what she was saying and I could tell by the sweet smile that she expected some sympathy.

“I warned you, woman. You betrayed me, now it’s my turn. But it’s for your own good.”

“That was my excuse too,” she said as she smiled at me. She shielded her hand from Branch’s view and gave me what was a well-deserved middle finger.

I just laughed and walked away.

“I am so sorry, Rose,” Jess said as I got close, she wrapped her arms around me. “I was furious with Brandon. I didn’t know he was going to do that. I told him not to say a word, I swear.” She looked like she was about to cry, and I wasn’t going to let that happen.

“I totally expect you to tell your fiancé everything, Jess. I would do the same if I was engaged.” I wasn’t mad at her, not in the slightest. But I was pissed at Brandon. “You just might want to keep for boyfriend away from me for a while, he might not like me very much if he gets near me. Might end up with a bruise or two,” I admitted. I was only joking, but there may have been a grain of truth to it.

She chuckled. “I already tore him a new one, honestly. I can’t believe him.” She shook her head. “I’m so glad you aren’t pissed at me.”

“I’m not. I’m nervous, but he says he is sticking around,” I told her. Wyatt had committed to me.

“But he isn’t the runner. You are. You sure you are going to be able to stay here? Laurel is awfully small for someone like you.”

She was right. I was the one who ran. It was stupid then and it would be insane now. I didn’t want to be a single mother. I didn’t want to have to worry about any of that. And I loved him. I loved Wyatt.

“I’m done with the city. And I think I am exactly where I want to be, actually.” I had to admit Laurel had its charm. And that charm was in a tight pair of jeans, standing on the stage looking at me.

Right at me.

He stepped up to the microphone, and the lights on the stage dimmed twice, the signal for everyone to please be quiet.

“I have to admit, when I arranged this little band for tonight I thought it was just going to be a small group of people, me and my girlfriend and our parents. I didn’t expect the entire town to show up, but I’m glad you are all here,” he cleared his throat.

I was captivated by him. In that moment I realized what everyone else saw. A smooth, confident, kind man. He probably knew every single person in Laurel, probably knew their story too.

Most of them probably thought he was a hellion too, at least in his younger days. Because he was. He was exactly the kind of man now, though, that I’d always wanted to be with.

Kind, compassionate, strong willed. Strong hearted too.

I wasn’t going to bail, not this time. Last time I was looking for a reason. I wanted out of this town, I didn’t want to trust him.

But everything I had was relying on him now. I wouldn’t give that up. Not for anything.

“You all have been there for this town in so many ways. You’ve worked for this town, provided the crop necessary to live, or worked in the factories, making goods we need. You serve us too. And well, this concert here is for all of you too. And this park. Thank you, for giving me a town where I can sow my oats and then come back and settle down here. I love Laurel, and I love working with you all.” He said as he looked around.

Applause started in the far corner of the seating area and spread through out the crowd. He grinned and then motioned for the crowd to be silent.

“The real reason I brought this band here tonight was to provide a little entertainment to my father and Rose’s mother. They’ve been supportive parents, and, well, they are going to be grandparents.” He said.

I turned white. I knew that we were going to tell them, but I wasn’t expecting this. I could feel all eyes on me as my mom sucked in a deep breath. She stood and walked over towards me her arms outstretched.

She grabbed me in a hug and said, “I love you, honey.”

“You aren’t mad?” I asked as I looked her in the eyes.

She just shook her head. “Why would I be mad? I’m team Wyatt, remember?”

I just chuckled.

“I also wanted to ask my Rose if she would come up here on this stage,” he said.

I bit my lip and looked at my mom.

“Go, on honey. He isn’t going to wait forever,” she said as she smiled at me.

All these people, all this attention. A part of me wanted to turn and run, but I couldn’t. Not now. Not when I’d promised to stay, so I walked down the aisle and right up onto that little stage.

“Rose, I’ve loved you since I first met you. You were sweet and smart and to be perfectly honest a little too young,” he chuckled. “But I waited until you were eighteen and I set out to woo you. Things didn’t go the way I’d planned, and I’m not sorry for that. Because it brought you right back to me. And now that I have you, Rose, I don’t want to let you go.” He said.

I was sweating bullets. What was he trying to say?

“Rose,” he dropped to one knee. My heart flew right up into my throat. “I’d planned on doing this differently, but hell, if the whole town wants to show up, let ‘em see. I want to marry you. I don’t care about the rest of the world. I just want you. And I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?” he asked.

“Is this about the baby?” I whispered. I didn’t want to say it in front of all those people, but I couldn’t just let him marry me because I was pregnant. No, this had to be real.

“No, Rose. I was planning on it regardless,” he said. He wasn’t angry at me for asking. “I can see why you might think that, but I promise you it isn’t the case. I want to build you a house and fill it up with a dozen kids.”

I swallowed hard. This was my entire life, and it should’ve been a hard decision. It should’ve been one that I thought about and took time about. But instead I just nodded.

“Yes, yes. I’ll marry you.” Like I told him, I wasn’t going anywhere.

He slid the ring on my finger and then stood, swooping me up into his arms.

I swear I never heard the audience clap, but he told me later than they did. And there may have been some hollering. But in that moment with him, there was only us.

“Alright y’all. Now I intended this to be something we could dance too, so if you don’t mind, the gazebo is going to be reserved for dancing,” Wyatt said as he grabbed my hand and then pulled me off the stage.

It was all happening so fast. But I was his. And I knew I always would be.