Second Chance at Sunflower Ranch (The Ryan Family #1) by Carolyn Brown

“You might not ever be ready for that, but I do hope we can be friends,” Jesse said.

“We’ll see.” Mia started for the door. “Is this a dream, Mama?”

“No, but you might lead with ‘I’m not pregnant’ next time,” Addy said.

Mia turned around and drew her eyebrows down into a dark line. “Are you coming with me?”

“Of course I am.” Addy followed her into the house.

“If you’ve got any more questions for me, I’m right here,” Jesse said.

“Thanks.” Mia turned around and smiled. “And I’m glad it’s you that’s my father, Jesse.”

“Me, too,” he said.

Mia reached over and took Addy’s hand in hers. “I meant it. I’m glad Jesse is my father. That means that Poppa and Nana are my real grandparents, and…” She paused.

“And what?” Addy asked.

“And I’ve been a horrible granddaughter.” She sat down in the grass and pulled her mother down beside her. “Do they know?”

Addy pulled her hand free and hugged Mia. “Yes, they figured it out years ago, but I didn’t tell them until after Jesse came home.”

“Do you think Lylah knows?” Mia asked.

“Nope. If she did, she would have already spread it all over the whole state. I heard that she spread rumors that I got pregnant by one of my professors,” Addy answered.

The stars glistened in the night sky just like they had twenty years ago when Addy slipped out of the bunkhouse and jogged all the way across the pastures to her own house. There was comfort in knowing that some things never changed.

“Jesse is a good man.” Mia seemed to be trying to wrap her mind around him being her father even yet.

“Yes, he is. He’s always been a good person,” Addy agreed.

“He’s a tough boss, but I like him. Do you think I can ever think of him as a daddy?” Mia asked.

“What I think doesn’t matter. That is totally up to you,” Addy told her. “Give him some time. Nothing has to be decided tonight.”

“I wish it could be so that I wouldn’t worry. Oh, no!” Mia gasped.

“What?” Addy looked around to see if there was a snake or maybe a tarantula near them.

“I’ve treated him like crap. What if he never likes me?” Mia asked.

“You are his daughter, and he already likes you,” Addy assured her.

“Are you sure?” Mia wiped more tears from her eyes.

“Positive,” Addy answered. “Let’s go on to the house. You need to get some rest. You’ve had nothing but one crisis after another lately.”

“I’m not sure if I’ll ever sleep well again, but I’ll try.” Mia stood up and extended a hand to help Addy. “At least Jesse was good to you, and y’all are still friends.”

Addy’s heart was still beating too fast when they made it to the house, and Mia had disappeared into her bedroom. There was no way that she could sleep, so she grabbed a bottle of water and headed to the front porch swing, only to find Jesse already there. She collapsed beside him and laid her head on his shoulder.

“God, I’m glad she’s not pregnant. It never entered my mind that she might be. She’s been on the pill for a while.” She closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the porch swing.

“We’re living proof that failures happen.” Jesse slid down to sit closer to her and take her hand in his. “What do you think she’ll say after she’s slept on the news?”

“Six months ago, I would have said that she would have another million questions to ask and she would take a while, but she would accept you. Today, I don’t know. I’m kind of glad she doesn’t have enough money to run away, because after the stunts she’s pulled, I’m not sure,” she said. “Jesse, are you ready for all this responsibility? She’s concerned about feeling like you are her dad, but she’s also worried that you won’t like her.”

He removed his hand from hers and draped an arm around her shoulders. “It’s all been a bit of a shock. I’ll admit that, but darlin’, I’m ready. She’s part of the bargain if we’re going to get involved, and besides, I already love that kid. I didn’t realize how much until tonight. Hearing her say that she was glad I was her father—I can’t begin to tell you how that made me feel.”

Addy laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad we told her tonight, but I think we were talking about us when she barged in and scared the hell out of me with that news of a pregnancy test.”

“We could have been discussing dinosaurs or ice cream for all I remember,” Jesse admitted. “I feel like we just jumped over a hurdle, but we haven’t landed on solid ground yet.”

“Me, too,” Addy agreed. “I need to talk about something unrelated to drama.”

“With our background, we’re not drama?” Jesse made lazy circles with his thumb on the soft spot on her neck.

“What’s between us is nothing compared to everything we’ve been through. Do you think we should get in to breakfast earlier than usual and tell Sonny and Pearl that she knows?” The adrenaline was leaving Addy’s body. That combined with Jesse’s gentle touch on her neck made her drowsy. “I can’t believe that I’m sleepy.”