Baby Girl: Dare to Love (9 page)

“I’m sorry.  You fell asleep and you look so peaceful.”

“I didn’t realize I was exhausted.”  She sat up and put her shoes on.  “I’m sorry for falling asleep on you.”

“No problem.  As you noticed, I was asleep beside you.”  Kyle sat beside her and wrapped his arms around her.  “This was the best date I’ve ever had.”  He kissed her on the cheek. 

“Me too.”  She sighed, wondering how she was going to explain this to her family.  Maybe, just maybe, no one was up yet. 

“Would you like to call home and check on Kassie?” He rose, already unsnapping his cell phone from his belt and handing it to her.  “I’m going to take a shower, then I’ll take you home.”  He walked down the hall.

She knew he was giving her space to make the dreaded call.  She dialed her home number and listened to the phone rang.  One, two, three, maybe no one will answer.

“Hello, Patterson residence,” her mother said.

“Hi, Mom,” Jemma said quietly.  She felt like a teenager calling from jail. “I feel asleep on Kyle’s couch last night.  I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

“Take your time, honey.   There’s no reason to hurry home.  The kids stayed up playing most of the night.  They didn’t go to bed until three or four this morning.”

“How did Kassie do?”

“Oh, she had a blast.  We ordered pizza, Damon went and got some movies for them.  It’s so good to hear her talking again.  Why are you calling from a strange number?”

“Janna rushed us out last night.  I didn’t even have my purse.” 

“Jemma, don’t worry.  We’re promised the kids we’d go out for breakfast, so really, take your time.  This is your first outing since Jared’s death, and that man helped Kassie to start talking.  So if you want to spend more time with him, please do so.”

“Mom, are you pimping me out to Kyle now?”  Gratitude was one thing, but this was bordering on something crazy.

“No, I’m not.  You need some down time.  And since we’re here you should take advantage of that fact.  I want you to enjoy yourself.”

She couldn’t argue with her mother, or could she?   “Okay, Mom, I won’t rush home, but call this number if there’s a problem.”

“You know, I raised two children, I think I handle my three grandchildren at a restaurant.  Besides, it will be four adults.  We got this.”  Her mother ended the call.

“Did my mother just hang up on me?”  She asked the empty room.  She set the phone on the table and it instantly vibrated.  Someone was calling.  It danced across the coffee table again.  Jemma noticed it was his mother calling.  Should she? It could be an emergency, she reasoned.  The caller started speaking before she could say a word.

“Are you coming to breakfast?”

This was what she got for answer that man’s phone.  “I’m sorry, Tesla.  Kyle is taking a shower.”

“Jemma?”

Did everyone know about their date?  “Yes, I fell asleep last night.  Kyle’s going to take me home as soon as he gets dressed.”

“Not before he brings your to our house for breakfast.  Tell him I said so.  See you soon.”  She ended the call.

“Why is everybody hanging up on me?”  Jemma placed the phone on the table.  She leaned back on the sofa to massage her throbbing skull.  First her baby girl is fine without her and now this woman expected her for breakfast. What was going to happen next?

Kyle hurriedly dressed after his shower.  He had to get Jemma back home before people realized he had company.  Namely, his mother.  Sunday morning breakfast was a family affair.  Not only would his siblings be there, so would their families.  

He slipped on a t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes.  He walked into the living room.  “Is everything okay?”  Jemma looked out of sorts.  “Was Kassie okay?”

“Yes, she’s fine.  Mom says they’re getting ready to go out to eat breakfast.  So there’s no rush for me to get home.”  She covered her mouth.  “Oh, my.  That sounded like a total come on.  I just meant you didn’t have to break speed records to get me home.   Kassie is having a blast with her cousins.”

“Is that a problem?”  Kyle sat next to her. 

She looked down.  “No, it’s not.  It’s just for the last year, Kassie kind of depended on me for everything.  Now she’s taking more chances and I guess I wasn’t prepared for that.  Sounds silly when I say it out loud.”  She stared at his feet.  “You have on tennis shoes!”

He finally looked toward the floor.  “So?”

“I’ve just never seen you in such casual attire.  You look nice.”  She rose suddenly.  “Can I use your bathroom?”

“Sure.  I have some extra supplies in the closet in the hall.”

She looked down at him.  “Why do you have extra supplies?”

Now he was going to have to explain the tradition.  “In this family, Sunday morning is a big deal.  Mom starts breakfast super early and the entire family comes out here and sometimes they forget stuff.  I got tired of always having to go to the store, so I just bought extra.” 

“Okay, now her phone call makes sense,” she mumbled. 

He had a bad feeling.  “What?”

“Your mom had called while you were in the shower.  She said I couldn’t leave before having breakfast with the family.  I thought she meant her and your dad.”

He slapped his hand to his forehead. “Oh, no!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Hope you feel like meeting the entire Cosgrove clan, because you’re going to.” 

Jemma looked down at her rumpled clothes.  “I can’t meet them like this.”

This was his fault.  He wanted her to feel at home at the ranch before he bombarded her with the rest of the family.  Improvising, he walked toward her.   “You can wear one of my shirts.  And I’ll wash your slacks while you’re in the shower.”  He was proud for thinking on his feet. 

“A man who doesn’t cook is offering to wash my slacks.”  She smiled at him.  “Oh, I so don’t think so.  I think they’ll be okay.  They’re not as wrinkled. I will try the shirt.”  She went down the hall to his bedroom.

Jemma stepped inside his shower stall.  As the hot water pelted her tired body, she wondered about breakfast.  She really liked Tesla, and didn’t want to disappoint her.  She was getting too tangled with this family and this was just their first date.  What was going to happen after this?

She stepped out of the shower and gasped. Her clothes were gone.  This man had been in the bathroom while she was in her birthday suit?  Had he seen her naked?  Where were her clothes?  She noticed a white terrycloth robe laying neatly on the counter.

After she dried off with one of his fluffy bathroom towels, she slipped on the bathrobe and tied it securely around her.  She opened the door to his bedroom and stopped right in her tracks.  “Can I help you?”

A very pretty woman sat on the bed. Her brown hair was cut short in a bob hairstyle.  She looked very comfortable in jeans and a Dallas Cowboy sweatshirt. “Hi, Jemma.  I’m Krista, Kyle’s sister. I’m also a friend of Janna’s. When Mom told me you were here, I had to come meet you.  Then Kyle had said you were in the shower.  I volunteered to come in here to get your clothes.”

Jemma shook her head.  Could this day get any crazier?  “So you’re washing my clothes?”  At least she felt better about a woman handling her clothes.  “I told Kyle not to bother.”

Krista waved away her remark.  “I also know how it is to spend the night and you hadn’t planned on it. Kyle has a new-fangled washer and dryer that does your clothes in an instant.  Well, more like twenty minutes.”  She glanced at her gold watch adorning her left wrist.” Probably about five more minutes.”

Jemma sat on the bed.  “So Kyle didn’t come in here while I was in the shower?”

“Goodness no!  He’s Mr. Manners.  He found you a shirt to wear if you don’t want to wear the one you had on last night.” 

Jemma looked down at her chest. She inherited her large breasts from her mother’s side.  Damn genetics. Kyle didn’t look like he had any extra weight on him anywhere.  She imagined any shirt he owned wouldn’t fit her chest.  “We can try the shirt.  I don’t think we have the same dimensions.”

Krista laughed.  “When Kyle first came back home, he was overweight.  You know when he was living in Austin, he was eating out all the time, not exercising, and sitting behind a desk.   He lost about seventy-five pounds when he started managing the ranch.”

“Wow!”  So he knew her struggle. She smiled at the thought of a chunky Kyle.  It didn’t seem possible.

TEN

     Jemma walked inside the Cosgrove home amazed at the commotion in the dining room.  There had to be at least fifteen people roaming around the house. Thank goodness, Krista was standing next to her and handled introductions.

“This is my sister-in-law Megan.  She’s married to our brother Justin.”  She nodded to a short blonde woman, stood next to Kyle’s mother.  “The little tyke in front of her is their son Ryder.” 

Two little girls with ran into the room and straight to Krista.  “Those are my handfuls, Cara, and Sylvia.”  She smiled as a handsome man joined them.  “This is my husband, David.  Honey, this is Jemma.  She’s a friend of Kyle’s.”

David broke into a smile.  He was nice looking, she thought.  He didn’t have the rugged look that Kyle had, but he was handsome.  “It’s very nice to meet you, Jemma.”

“Nice to meet you as well, David.”  Jemma wondered what had happened to Kyle.  He left the house before her and Krista, mumbling something about needing to check the horses. 

Tesla found her next.  “Jemma, I’m so glad you made it.  Kyle had to check on the horses.”  She took Jemma by the hand and led her away from the crowd.  They were seated in the living room. 

“Now, tell me, how was the date?”

Really?  “It was fun.  I’m afraid I had a few crying spells on him last night.  It was the first time I’d been out without my daughter of any of my family for that matter.”

Tesla nodded.  “Of course.  It’s understandable.  I’m sure Kyle didn’t mind. It’ll get easier over time.”

“You’re a very wise woman, Tesla.” 

“Thank you, dear.  Now let’s go eat some of this great breakfast I’ve prepared.”  They rose from the sofa and joined the other in the dining area.   Jemma hadn’t seen so much food in ever.  There had to be enough for thirty people.

It was prepared buffet style.  Tesla had prepared eggs, omelets, bacon, sausage, pancakes, toast, and hash browns.  Jemma gained weight just inhaling the delicious aroma. 

“Just dig in,” Tesla said. “There are no calories in my food.” 

Jemma did as the older woman directed and scooped up scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and hash browns.”  She sat next to Krista.  “What happen to Kyle?”

“Right here,” he said, walking into the dining room.  “Had to check on the horses.”  He quickly grabbed a plate and filled it to capacity.  He sat next to Jemma.  “Sorry, I wasn’t here with you,” he whispered. 

“Krista has been great.  You have an amazing family.”  She stuck her fork into the mound of eggs and tasted them.  They tasted like heaven.  They were light and fluffy.  “Tesla, these are good.”

Tesla sat across from them.  “Thank you, dear.  I love cooking for my family.”

***

The ride back to Jemma’s house was quiet.  Kyle wondered if his family had been too much too fast.  It was only their first date, and now she’d already met his entire family.  Talk about red flags.  He’d been worried for nothing.  Everyone liked Jemma on sight. 

She sat in the passenger seat, holding her blouse from the night before.  She looked sexy as hell in his white button-down shirt.  It was one of his fat shirts.  He kept as a reminder not to go back to that old life. 

“I had a wonderful time last night and this morning,” Jemma said quietly. 

This was his chance.  He had to take it.  “Maybe we can do it again.” 

“Kassie and I normally do movie night on Sundays.  Why don’t you come watch movies with us?”

He darted a glance in her direction.  “You want me to come to your house tonight?”

She giggled.  “I know.  Right?  Like we haven’t been together enough already. But I was thinking, might as well see how Kassie takes to you with me.”

He could see the sense in her request.  No use dating, and then Kassie hates the fact that her mother is dating.  “What time?”

“How about six.  I’ll fix dinner.  We start watching movies after that.  Be prepared for children movies.”

He laughed.  If she only knew what he went through when his nieces and nephew hit the ranch, he thought.  Once those kids got there, his house became theirs.  He had video games and a supply of the latest children’s movies.   “I’m used to children movies.”

“Remember that when you come over tonight,” she said. 

He turned on her street.  The Tahoe and the Explorer were gone.  “Where’s everybody?” 

“Oh, they must be still at breakfast.” 

He knew that was a milestone moment for Kassie and she was missing it.  He unclipped his phone from his waist.  “Why don’t you call them?” He handed her the phone.  “We could meet them if you like.”  He had every intention of going home and take a nap. 

She took the phone, but didn’t use it. 

“Jemma, aren’t you going to call?” 

“If I call, my mother will think that I think that she can’t take care of the kids.  I mean, I’d like to hear my baby girl’s voice this morning.”

“Then call.  Surely, your mother will understand.”

She hesitated.  Then she finally dialed the phone.  “Hi Mom.  I know she’s fine.  Really?  Okay.”  She ended the call and sat the phone on the console.   “Thank you.  They’ll be home in about thirty minutes.”  

Kyle parked in front of her house.  He exited the car and helped her out of the BMW.  They walked in silence to the front door.  That was when he realized that Jemma didn’t have her house key. “I forgot you don’t have your keys.”

“No worries.  It’s one of those new high-techy locks.  Voice print.” She stepped closer to the front door and cleared her throat.  “Jemma Patterson.”

Kyle watched in awe as the door clicked and she opened the door.  “See?”  She invited him inside and they sat on her couch.  “I had a really nice time.  I’m sorry about falling asleep on you, but it was the best sleep I’ve had in years.”

“Then there’s no need to apologize.  I hope my family wasn’t too much for you.”  He knew he needed to get out of the house before her family returned.  He didn’t want Kassie to see him bringing her mother home on a Sunday morning. 

She shook her head.  “No, everyone was wonderful.  Thank you for a wonderful evening.” She rose from the couch.  “I hate to rush you off, but I need to change before everyone gets back.”

He rose as well.  “I understand.  We’re still on for tonight?”

She peered at him with those green eyes.  “Of course.” 

Kyle’s heart raced with the possibilities.  “Great.”  He kissed her quickly on the lips.  “I’d better get out of here or I won’t be able to guarantee my good behavior.”  He kissed her again, slower this time, wanting to savor the moment.  

Jemma moaned, moved closer to him and wrapped her arms around him.  The kiss deepened, until breathing became a priority.  “Yes, you better get out of here before we both get into trouble.”

“Mommy!” Kassie called out as she entered the house with the rest of the family.   Jemma had changed clothes and was now sitting on the couch, making out her grocery list.  She was only out for one night and it seems her family devoured most of the food in the house. 

She rose and went to meet her daughter.  “Hi, baby!”  She hugged and kissed her daughter. It was their first night apart since Jared’s death.  Kassie looked like she passed the test with flying colors.  Maybe they were both moving forward.  “Did you have fun last night?”

Kassie nodded.  “Watch movies.  Just like you and Mr. Kyle.”  She glanced around the room.  “Where’s Mr. Kyle?  He didn’t say good-bye.”

Rats.  She didn’t think about that.  “Honey, he had to leave, but he’ll be back later.  He’s going to join us for movie night.  How does that sound?”

She smiled again.  “Good.  I like Mr. Kyle.” 

Jemma wiped away tears. “I’m glad.”  She kissed her daughter on her cheek.  “I like him too.”

Kassie nodded.  “Can I go play?”

“Sure, baby.”  Kassie and her cousins headed upstairs. 

“How can three kids sound like fifty people going up the stairs?”  Janna asked sitting beside Jemma. 

“Who knows?” 

“Okay, enough small talk.  How was the date?” 

Jemma watched the parade of people leave the room.  Her parents went to check on the kids, while Damon, went to the kitchen.   “It went well.  Dinner was lovely, then we went for a drive.  We ended up at his place.”

“How?”

She really hated to rehash the drama, but it was needed.  “I kept bringing up Jared.  Then when I wasn’t talking about him, I was crying about him, Kyle said he understood.  Did you know he used to be a psychologist?”

Janna shook her head.  “I knew he had been a doctor, but I just assumed it was a medical doctor or a vet.  Janna used to say they all had doctorates.  I thought that was amazing.”

“It is.  I met her this morning.  I had breakfast with them.”  Jemma waited for her sister to connect the dots. 

“Wait.  You met Janna?”

“And Justin and spouses and children.  Tesla likes to do a big breakfast on Sundays,” she explained.  “No one seemed shocked that Kyle had an overnight guest.   I would have been asking a million questions.”

“That’s because you’re suspicious.  The Cosgroves are pretty laid back.  So any hot action?”

“No,” Jemma said, feeling a slow blush come over her skin. “We were making out, then we snuggled on the couch, and I fell asleep.”

“Oh, Jemma! Not on the first date.”

“Well, he fell asleep too.”

Janna nodded.  “Okay, good.  I heard something about movie night.  Good plan.”

“Yes, I figured might as well find out now if Kassie minds us dating.”

“Smart woman.  Speaking of smart, Kassie is talking more and more.  At first, Mom was crying every time she spoke.”

The entire family had been walking an emotional tightrope over Kassie’s non-talking.  Even after Janna assured everyone that Kassie was all well physically, and mentally, and that was her way of processing Jared’s death. “It’s hard not to break into a mess of sobs.  It had been so long since she talked, but to hear to her laughing, and talking, sometimes I can’t hide my tears of happiness.”

“There’s nothing wrong with expressing your joy, just try not to let her see you do it.  Kassie might think she’s doing something wrong and revert to her non-talking stage and we don’t want that.”

“No, I definitely don’t want to deal with that again.”  She took a deep breath.  “Her teacher wants to put her in advance placement classes, especially since she’s been speaking at school as well.”

“Oh, that wonderful!  If she’s speaking at school as well, it’s not just family and Kyle.  It could be that she’s ready to turn a corner and start talking completely.  She was a little chatterbox at the restaurant.  We heard about Nutmeg and that she wants to start jumping.”

Jemma couldn’t help it.  Tears trickled down her face.  “Yes, the ranch teaches a bunch of different ways to ride.  She likes riding English, whatever that is,” Jemma said.  “I’ll have to ask Kyle if she needs anything else.”

“You know your daughter is getting quality lessons.  Kyle is a top trainer.  Krista says people come from all over the US for his skills.”

Jemma hadn’t doubted that for one minute.  “He carries a lot of power at the ranch.  Where are the owners?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, Kyle is the ranch manager.  His parents live on the ranch and take care of things.  But I’ve never heard anything about the owners.  Are they caretakers of the ranch?”

“In a manner of speaking.  What does Kyle say?”

“I didn’t ask him, but it seems no one questions anything they do.  I was just curious of how he had so much clout.  Especially when he was living in Austin before he returned.”

“Sounds like great questions to ask him at movie night.”  Janna rose from the sofa. 

Jemma had more questions, but she knew they would get answered in time.  She also knew her sister had more answers than she was willing to give.  It was up to Jemma to prime that knowledge right out of her sister.  “Speaking of movie night, I need to go to the grocery store.  Why don’t you come with me?”  She knew her sister couldn’t resist a shopping expedition of any kind.

“Yeah, Dad and Damon went on a snack attack.  You’d think they’d never seen food before.  You’d better have plenty of food.  Kyle looks like he has a big appetite.”

Jemma smiled as memories from the night before.  Kyle had her pinned on the couch and kissed her within an inch of her life.  She loved every second of it. 

“Jemma?”  Janna shook her sister.  “You kind of zone out.  You okay?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe.”