I smiled and nodded my head. “Shit, Courtney’s parents’ house, I swear, is bigger than yours, dude. I got fucking lost in it twice.”

Layton threw his head back and laughed. “Did you like New York?”

I tipped my beer back and got a long drink. “Nope. Hated it. I mean, it was pretty and all, and it had its moments, but…”

Neither one of us said anything for a few moments before Layton cleared his throat and said, “Are y’all okay, Reed? I mean, I know you are okay as a couple, but…are you okay?”

I looked down at the ground and then back out over the countryside. “I had this one moment when I wanted to kill him. I mean, I really wanted to kill him, Layton. I know you know what I mean with what you and Whit went through with Roger.” I shook my head as I thought back to seeing Layton shot and how scared Whitley was.

“What made you stop?” Layton asked.

“Courtney, the baby, and the future I promised her. I felt so much anger—not only at him, but at myself for not protecting her from him in the first place. I promised her I would never let him hurt her, and I failed her. I knew something felt wrong in my gut, but I didn’t listen to it. I let him get close to her, and I feel like I let her down. I can’t shake that guilt.” I peered over at the tree house and then looked at Layton. “I can’t ever hurt her, Layton. I’d rather die than hurt her.”

He nodded his head and looked back over at the tree house before turning back and looking at me. “Reed, you’re not your father.”

I nodded my head and said, “I know I’m not.”

Layton leaned forward and grabbed my shoulder. “I see how much you love Courtney. I’ve seen a change in you these last few months. You’re happy and content, and hell, dude, you even seem peaceful, if that makes sense. As much as we want to protect both those girls, we need to understand that we just can’t protect them from everything. We can try like hell, and I know you do as much as I do. You’re a good guy, Reed. You’re a good husband, and I know you’ll make one hell of a good father.”

I cracked a smile and said, “Thanks, Layton. You know I’ve always looked up to you, and that means a lot to me for you to say that.” I glanced up when I heard the girls laughing as they were coming down from the tree house. “Layton, I’m really happy for you, too. I’m really glad Whit’s car broke down that day.”

Layton let out a chuckle and looked over at Whitley and Courtney as they headed our way. “So am I, dude. So. Am. I.”

Courtney smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but smile at the stupid, crazy feeling that happened in my stomach every time she looked at me.

She walked up, sat down on my lap, and gave me a quick kiss. “I missed you,” she whispered.

I let out a small laugh and said, “You were only up there a few minutes.”

She shrugged her shoulders and said, “I missed your touch.”

Whitley walked up and gave Layton a quick kiss. “I have to go potty.”

Layton let out a loud laugh. “Are you practicing baby talk, Whit?”

Whitley crinkled up her nose in a cute way and nodded her head. “Think about dinner. You have two pregnant women who want to eat,” she called over her shoulder as she walked into the house.

We had decided on barbeque, so we headed into town. Layton and I talked about the ranch as Whit and Court talked about some baby store in Austin they wanted to go to. We were walking into Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que when I heard a familiar voice calling my name from behind us. My heart started pounding as I turned around to see my father standing there.

“Well, if it isn’t my oldest son, Reed. Reed, this is Candace. Candace, this is my oldest son, Reed.”

Is he really introducing me to his girlfriend? I haven’t seen him in months.

“Reed, aren’t you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?”

I just stood there, frozen. I would never understand how he could make me feel like a ten-year-old in trouble.

Courtney walked up to him and said, “I’m Courtney Moore, Reed’s wife.”

“Blake Moore. It’s a pleasure, Courtney.” He smiled at Courtney and then looked back at me. “Married, huh?” He glanced back at Courtney and laughed. “My son treating you good?”

Courtney hooked her arm through mine and gave my arm a squeeze. “Like a princess, but then again, he is my Prince Charming.”

When she smiled at me, I instantly felt better.

Layton’s voice filled my head. You’re not like your father, Reed.

I glanced at the girl on his arm. She was a different girl than the last one I’d seen him with a few months ago.

“If you’ll excuse us, we were just about to order.”

“How’s your mother?” he asked as I went to turn around.

I glared back at him and said, “Why would you care? You walked out on her and your three kids years ago. You left us with nothing, and Mom struggled for years to turn things around while you were out having yourself a good time. You didn’t seem to care how she was back then, so why care now?”

His face dropped, and he pulled his head back, like he was surprised I had talked to him that way.

“You know, it’s probably a good thing you left us,” I said.

He didn’t say anything for a few seconds as he just stared at me. “Why’s that?” he asked.

“Because you showed me the type of man I never want to be. That’s about the only good thing that came from you.” I grabbed Courtney’s hand as I turned and walked away.

The farther I walked away, the better I felt. Something had happened just then, and I wasn’t really sure what it was, but it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Layton slapped me on the back and said, “Fucking awesome. About time.” He turned and wrapped his arms around Whitley as we waited in line.

I peeked down at Courtney. She was looking up at me, smiling.

“What?” I asked as I pulled her closer to me.

She snuggled her head into my body and said, “It looks like we both buried the ghosts that haunted our dreams.”

I nodded my head and placed my hand on her stomach. “Nothing but happy memories from here on out, angel.” I reached down and gently kissed her on the lips.

She let out a sigh and said, “Total swoon-worthy moment with the whole hand on the pregnant stomach and all.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “Damn, I’m getting good at this.”