Page 29 of Promise Me a Forever Texas Love

As if reading her thoughts, Cooper spoke. “So how often is he going to be here?”

“I don’t know.”

Cooper shot her a glance. “Don’t you think you should get that ironed out? I get that he wants to see his son, Cadee, but he can’t just barge in and disrupt you and Cam’s lives—I don’t care how much money he’s giving you. You need to set some boundaries.”

“I know. But I also agree that it will be easier for Cam to accept him as a father if they get to know each other. And we can’t keep it a secret for much longer. If people in town see them together, they’re going to figure things out.”

Cooper sighed. “Cam is still going to be hurt you weren’t honest with him from the start.” He hesitated. “I’m sorry for that. I shouldn’t have pushed you to keep it a secret.”

“You didn’t have to push too hard. I didn’t want the townsfolk judging Cam either. I’m still worried about that.”

“I worried about that too until I was in Grounds For Divorce the other morning and heard the A-Sisters chatter nonstop about how much fun they’re having at Honky Tonk Heaven and how nice it is to have the dancehall reopened. I think the entire town feels the same way. They’re willing to overlook their mistrust of the Hennessys for the convenience of live country music, two-stepping, and beer.”

Cadee wished it would be that easy to win over the townsfolk. “Their love of the bar won’t stop the gossip. Even before the fire that gutted Honky Tonk Heaven, folks loved gossiping about Rosie, her husband’s gambling and tragic death, and her wild kids who had left and never returned.”

“True. But mainly because she made no effort to be part of the town. She always kept her distance as if she thought she was better than the townsfolk. But that isn’t the case with her kids. They’ve become part of the town. Jaxon married the sheriff’s daughter, and Dawson is dating Otis Hastings’ niece.” Cooper hesitated. “And Camden is a Stockton. No matter who his father is. Yes, there will be gossip about you and Huck, but it might not be as harsh as you think.” He glanced over at her. “And are you sure you’re just worried about how the townsfolk’s gossip will hurt Camden? Or are you more worried about the leftover feelings you have for Huck?”

She tried not to show how the question had tightened every muscle in her body. “I don’t have any leftover feelings for Huck. We were friends and then we weren’t. It happens. Friends come and go in life.”

Cooper’s gaze drilled right through her. “I was there after he left, Cadee. I saw your heartache. I think you cared for Huck much more than just a friend.”

She started to deny it but then shrugged. “I was a teenage girl, Coop. Lots of teenage girls mistake hormones for something more.”

“You sure? Because I always thought you and Huck had something special.”

“Which is why you never tattled to Daddy when you caught us hanging out together?”

He frowned. “Maybe I should have. Maybe it would have saved you a lot of heartache and grief.”

She shook her head. “But then we wouldn’t have Cam.” She glanced at her son who was chattering away to Huck like they were best friends. “And no matter the heartache, he’s worth it.”

“Hell yeah, he is,” Cooper agreed. “Did you ever talk to the school about your suspicions that Miles is bullying him?”

“Yes, and it must have helped because Cam seemed so much happier when he got home from the bus the other day. He even said he wants to be a raptor for Halloween again.”

“Well, that’s good. I wasn’t looking forward to going to the school and threatening a kid.”

Cadee threw him a fake shocked look. “Don’t tell me that Cooper Stockton, Mr. Goody Two Shoes of Promise Springs, was going to do some of his own bullying?”

“If that’s what it took to get the smile back on my nephew’s face, then so be it.” He glanced ahead at Camden. “But it looks like your little talk with the principal worked.”

Camden was laughing so hard at something Huck said he almost fell out of the saddle. Which had Cadee’s heart dropping. She clicked her horse into a trot to get after him, but before she got there, Huck did.

“Easy there, sport.” He reached out and steadied Camden. “We don’t want to test out that helmet.”

Camden grabbed onto the saddle horn but kept laughing. “It’s just too funny. I mean I can’t picture my church-going mama dropping a water balloon on the town preacher.”

Cadee’s eyes widened and she glared at Huck’s back as he chuckled. “Your mama might act all sweet and innocent, but let me tell you, she’s got a wild side. There was this time when we got some bright red paint and painted a huge⁠—”

“Huckleberry Hennessy!” Cadee nudged her horse between them.

Both Huck and Camden turned to her and again she was struck by how much they looked alike. Especially with their eyes twinkling with humor.

At her expense.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” she asked Huck.

“I was just telling Cam about some of our childhood antics.”