Page 35 of Promise Me a Forever Texas Love

Huck felt like he’d run into a street pole. “Cadee’s looking to get married again?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say she’s looking, but the entire town has been looking for her after that no-good college boy left her high and dry. We just haven’t found the right fit yet.”

“I thought Danny Reaves was the perfect fit,” Adele said as Huck tried to keep from having an out-and-out panic attack.

“Were you blind?” Ada said. “That man was horrible with kids. Brandon Willis loves kids.”

Arlene snorted. “Because he is a kid. He just turned twenty-one. Cadee needs a man not a boy.” She glanced at Huck. “You okay, honey. You look a little pale.”

He didn’t answer. He couldn’t. The thought of Cadee trying to find a husband and daddy for Camden had put him in a tailspin.

“He just needs to eat something.” Poppy answered for him. “Or he gets lightheaded.” She rammed a mini donut into his gaping mouth, forcing him to chew and swallow or choke to death.

Arlene nodded. “I’m the same way. I need to have a little something in the morning or I get all shaky. Y’all let me know if you need anything else.”

Once she was gone, Poppy leaned closer and spoke in a low voice. “Not interested in Cadee, huh?” When all he could do was sit there and try to keep the donut down, Poppy sighed and sat back in her chair. “Damn. Mama and Daddy really did a number on us, didn’t they? All of us are emotionally fucked up. Which probably explains why Wylynn left me. I never could tell him I loved him.”

Huck shook his head. “I don’t love Cadee.”

Poppy snorted. “Which is why you don’t want anyone else loving her.” She looked at him. “But this isn’t about Cadee. This is about that cute little boy who has the chance to be better than we are. That’s if his daddy doesn’t pass on our baggage.”

He blinked. “What do you mean?”

Poppy leaned in closer. “I mean are you going to be a real parent or are you going to be like our daddy and only show up occasionally as entertainment? Because if that’s your plan, Huck, you should have never forced your way into Camden’s life. Kids don’t want a daddy who acts like them. They want a responsible adult they can count on to be there for them. Not just to show up when it suits them and make special pancakes and buy them princess crowns, but also to discipline them when they need discipline, protect them when they need protecting, and love them like kids deserve to be loved. And if you can’t do that for Camden, then leave him alone, Huck. You don’t want to give him the emotional scars Daddy and Mama gave us. And the same goes for Cadee. Don’t lead her on if you’re not ready to man up and be what she needs and deserves.” She got up. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get more mini donuts since I had to force feed you one of mine.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Cadee spent the following week worried about Huck showing back up at the ranch to see Camden. When he didn’t, instead of being relieved, she got pissed off. How dare he act like he wanted to spend time with Camden and then not spend time with Camden? It just confirmed what she already knew.

Huck was not ready to be a father.

And he probably never would be.

So when he finally did show up early Monday morning of the next week, she wasn’t at all welcoming.

“What are you doing here?” she said as soon as she opened the door and saw him standing on the porch. “Camden’s at school.”

He nodded. “I know.” He took off his trucker hat, his cowlick sticking up. “I wanted to talk to you alone.”

Since he looked nervous, she figured she knew what he wanted to talk about. She didn’t know why her heart sank. She’d known all along he wouldn’t stick around. After Billy told her his siblings were splitting their share of their money with him, it made sense he was off to the big city to spend it on some other stupid scheme.

And it wasn’t like Camden had formed an attachment to him. Yes, he liked Huck and thought he was funny and cool—something Camden had mentioned often in the last few days—but if Huck left, he would get over it.

Which meant the reason for her sinking heart had nothing to do with her son and everything to do with her. The epiphany made her even madder.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “So talk.”

“Can we go for a walk? I’d just as soon not be interrupted by your brothers or mama.”

“The boys are in the west pasture fixing fences and Mama is at her bible study.”

“Oh.” He glanced over at the rockers on the porch. “Then maybe can we sit down?”

“I’m fine standing. Just spit it out, Huck.”

He took a big breath before he released it. “I’d like to build Camden a tree house for his birthday. Cooper said his birthday is coming up and y’all are having a party for him. Is that right?”

She stared at him. “So you’re not leaving?”