Chapter 26

26

Melissa

B ack at the ranch, nothing feels out of place.

Everything is precisely the way we left it, and the days that follow bring us closer to February. Kyle and I take the tree down, return the decorations to their boxes, and carry everything upstairs to the attic. But I leave the colored lights on the windows as well as the decorative snowflakes. They speak of winter, not just Christmas, and I need as much seasonal cheer as I can possibly get under these wretched circumstances.

“Well, here’s to hoping this winter’s out of blizzards,” Darla says as she wanders into the kitchen. “I can’t wait for spring.”

“It’s still January,” I chuckle softly as I take the dishes out of the washer and put them away in the cupboards.

“Upside is we only lost two heads of cattle throughout,” Darla says. She stops by the coffee machine and brews herself a cup. I find comfort in the gurgling sound. “It’s better than last winter, for sure.”

I give her a curious look. “Did you do something different in the barns?”

“We upgraded the insulation and added a few more heaters on a separate power line,” she replies. “It was worth the investment.”

“Still, it’s nice of you to make such an effort for a few cows.”

“Colton wants us to care for each of them as though they’re just as important as the family dog. And I see a lot of sense in that. A lot of ranchers don’t bother.”

I smile softly. “Colton and his brothers aren’t like regular ranchers, though.”

“You’re right about that, and it shows. Their daddy would be proud. Their momma, too.”

“You miss them.”

Darla laughs lightly. “Oh, you bet. We had our arguments. Plenty of times we knocked heads and whatnot. But the ranch always thrived when there were more Averys around. Maybe I should’ve had some kids just to keep the numbers up. I don’t know.”

“Do you regret it?”

The last of the plates are safely put away. All that’s left now is to wipe the counters down and go put my feet up for a while. At least my room doesn’t feel as small as it used to, not even when I feel an episode coming. I call that progress.

“Not having kids?” Darla replies, and I nod slowly. “No. I mean, I wish I had a husband to have them with, but I guess it just wasn’t meant for me. I don’t regret a single day of my life, mind you. I love what I do.”

“What about you and Sammy? What’s going on there?”

Darla sighs and takes a seat at the table, slowly sipping her coffee. “Honestly, I don’t know anymore. We were happy in the years past. It ended abruptly. I threw a hissy fit, he threw one as well, we let our bruised egos get in the way, and then it felt like we were drifting farther and farther apart.”

“Yeah, but that was then. What about now? I can tell he loves you, Darla. He loves you deeply,” I say.

“I’m all he’s got in a way,” she replies, lowering her gaze. I notice the pain in her eyes. I hear the longing in her voice. “He’s all I’ve got in a way. I don’t know what to tell you. I guess I’m too tired to mend that fence. If Sammy were to come up to me and tell me he wants us to give it another go, I wouldn’t turn him down.”

“Well, you haven’t made it easy for him in that sense,” I reply dryly.

Darla gives me a hard look.

For a moment, I worry she’s going to tear me a new one. Instead, she scoffs. “You’re right. I’ve been prickly and gnarly. A little too much, even for my own taste. I should do something about that, huh?”

“I mean, I don’t blame you,” I say, offering a smile. “Maybe… I don’t know, try to reconnect with Sammy on a deeper level. Give him an opportunity to try again. A smile here, a touch on the shoulder there… you know, the subtle things that tell a man you’re open to him. I think Sammy’s worried you’re gonna turn him away.”

“I do have a history in that sense.”

I sit at the table and listen to her spin her tale. She tells me about what it was like for them growing up on the ranch. Working together. Sharing this place and this life with Tamara, Sammy’s wife. They were so close, maybe a little too close for Darla’s liking. The more she speaks, the clearer it becomes that she’s been in love with Sammy for most of her life, yet unable to do anything about it because she loved Tamara like a sister, too.

I don’t have any advice or really anything I can say that will help her. She knows what she has to do. She just has to decide to do it.

“You should listen to your heart, Darla,” I tell her. It’s the only thing I know for sure.

“That’s harder than it sounds.”

“Don’t I know it!”

We laugh together. I stand quickly to retrieve the coffee pot to fill her empty mug. But I suddenly feel lightheaded. Something comes over me, and I freeze, hand on the counter, gripping the towel tighter and tighter. My breathing is shallow. My skin tingles all over. I feel weak and as though my legs are going to give out. A sharp pain cuts through my body, my belly.

“Melissa, what’s wrong?” Darla asks.

“I… I think I need to go to the clinic,” I manage, then my knees give out.

I fall to the floor with a heavy thud, but I manage to absorb some of the shock with my hands. Sweat drips from my face. I’m hot and cold at the same time.

“Melissa!” Darla yelps and jumps from her seat and kneels beside me. “Honey, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”

“I need… I need to go to the clinic. Dr. Hartman…”

“Dr. Hartman? Oh...”

I give her a terrified look, but her gaze softens as it meets mine. She puts her arm around my shoulders and helps me get up.

“Come on,” Darla says in a soft voice, “I’ll drive you.”

“Please,” I mumble as I lean into her, cautiously leaving the kitchen behind. “They can’t know. Not yet. Don’t tell them. Please.”

“Let’s get you to Dr. Hartman first, honey,” Darla replies. “Your health is the most important right now. Nothing else.”

I’m humbled by her self-control, by her ability to react and take care of me when I clearly can’t manage my condition. Whatever is happening feels wrong.

“You’re gonna be okay,” Darla says, once we get into the doctor’s office. “I got this feeling.”

“Gut feeling?” I ask, almost laughing. “Ow…”

The pain in my belly comes back, though not as sharp as the first round.

“Not like what you’re dealing with right now, but yeah,” Darla replies, giving me a worried look. “How far along are you? And why haven’t you told anyone, especially the boys?”

“Given everything we’ve been dealing with, do you think they’d be able to focus if they knew about this?” I ask with a flat tone.

“Fair enough,” she grumbles. “Plus, you’re still an inmate.”

“Yes, there’s that, too,” I sigh deeply. “I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do. I just… I just want us to be safe, Darla.”

Dr. Hartman comes in. “Good to see you again, Melissa. Nurse Hadley said you feel sick?”

“Hey, Doc. Yeah, pain, weakness…”

“Where’s the pain?” he asks.

I describe my symptoms in as much detail as possible while he sets me up next to the ultrasound machine and checks my vitals again with a furrowed brow. “Mmm… Okay, let’s not panic just yet,” he says, then gives Darla a look. “Family?”

“She’s the closest thing I have to a mother,” I tell the doctor with a trembling voice.

“And Melissa’s the closest thing I have to a daughter,” Darla swiftly replies.

Dr. Hartman smiles and proceeds with the ultrasound. I lift my sweater and shudder when he applies the cold gel, then hold my breath as I wait for the image and sound to appear. My eyes are glued to the screen, though I have no idea what’s on the screen.

“Any bleeding or spotting?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No, sir. My appetite’s increased. There’s still plenty of morning sickness, and not just in the morning… I get dizzy, sometimes.”

“Oh, God, that’s why you keep tuning out when one of us is talking to you,” Darla groans. “I should’ve seen the signs. I should’ve put two and two together.”

“I’m sorry,” I mutter, giving her an apologetic smile. “No more secrets, though… I promise.”

“You hear that?” Dr. Hartman interjects, ultrasound device stopping somewhere below my belly button. He turns the volume up, and I hear it.

“Oh, wow,” I whisper.

Dr. Hartman narrows his eyes at the screen, and I tense up.

“What is it? Is something wrong?” I ask.

He smiles and shakes his head. “No, nothing is wrong. I just saw a little something on the screen here I want to confirm.” He points to the image on the screen.

“Wait, is that…” Darla pipes in.

Now they’re both looking at me, waiting for me to catch on. Suddenly it dawns on me. “Wait, two?”

“Yes, there’s two,” Dr. Hartman says. “And both look healthy.”

“But there was only one the first time,” I say, my brain struggling to process.

“It’s not uncommon for one twin to hide behind the other when they’re this small. We often don’t catch twins until the second or even third ultrasounds.”

“Oh, God, I’m having twins.” It’s even more overwhelming and twice as exciting and insanely challenging. How the hell am I going to manage?

“You’re going to be okay,” Darla replies. “I’m going to say it until you get it through your thick, beautiful, stubborn head, Melissa. You’re going to be okay.”

“Am I, Darla?” I’m on the verge of tears, and I don’t even know if they’re tears of joy or despair. “How do you know?”

Dr. Hartman clears his throat. “Well, health-wise, the little ones seem to be within their parameters. The cramping can be normal as your uterus expands to accommodate the growing babies. As long as there’s no intensive bleeding or any other symptom that requires hospitalization, you should be alright.”

Once we’re in the car, neither of us moves or says anything. Darla sits behind the wheel, staring ahead. I sink into the passenger seat, my face flushed but my heart a tad lighter knowing my baby—correction—babies are okay.

“I need to eat more,” I mutter, remembering Dr. Hartman’s advice. “Didn’t think that was possible, but here we are.”

“You’ve been sneaking food upstairs, huh?”

I nod slowly. “Had to keep a low profile.”

“Well, you’re eating for three, it seems.” Darla exhales sharply. “By the stars, when God gives you a challenge, He does not go easy on you, does He?”

We laugh despite the shock.

“I don’t want to go back to the ranch yet,” Darla says after a while. “In fact, I think we should eat something. The Cavalier is open. How about a pizza?”

“My mouth is watering,” I bluntly reply.

Darla turns the key in the ignition, and it’s as if my soul restarts along with the truck engine. We need to get some food in our stomachs, then we can think about what I’m going to do next. One thing is clear. I can’t hold out on this pregnancy much longer. Darla already knows. It’s only a matter of time before the guys find out. They should hear it from me.

Just as Darla is about to pull out onto the road, a car blocks us. “Hey!” Darla shouts. “Move it along!”

But the driver gets out.

“Oh, no,” I manage as I recognize Jake. “It’s Jake.”

He’s smiling the most obnoxious smile as he approaches our truck. “We need to talk, Melissa. Right now.”

“You need to get the fuck out of my way,” Darla replies, but he blatantly ignores her, pointing a finger at me.

“Melissa, get out of the truck. We need to talk. You’re running out of time, and I’m the only one who can help you.”

My hand reaches for the door, but Darla stops me. “You sit right there, honey. You’re not going anywhere with this fool.”

“I have no intention of going anywhere with him,” I say. “I just want him to leave me alone.”

“Then sit the fuck down and let me handle this.” To my surprise, she reaches for the glove compartment and takes out a shiny Colt revolver.

“Darla…” I whisper, but she cuts me off.

“Relax, kid. I know what I’m doing.”

She gets out of the car, and Jake starts laughing. “Lady, I have no quarrel with you. I just need to talk to—WHOA!”

“You need to get behind the wheel of that vehicle,” Darla says, pointing the gun at him. “You need to drive as far away from this town as possible. Don’t look back. Don’t pass go. Don’t collect 200 dollars, you miserable son of a bitch.”

“Hold on, ma’am, I’m trying to help Melissa!”

“You’re only trying to help yourself,” she hisses and takes a step forward.

Jake moves back, hands up as his eyes widen with the realization that Darla is not kidding. She has every intention of shooting him in the face if he doesn’t do as he’s told.

“Melissa, please,” he tries to reason with me again, but I don’t budge.

Instead, I cradle my womb and find comfort and safety in Darla’s presence. All the Averys are hardcore and insanely protective of their family and loved ones. I see it now. The drive, the fierceness, the fearlessness. It’s in their blood, and I sure as hell hopes it gets passed down to my babies.

“Hey!” she shouts again. “What did I just say?”

“Alright, alright!” Jake concedes and moves farther back. “I’m leaving.”

“I don’t see you leaving just yet,” Darla replies. “Get in the car. Drive. Leave Melissa alone, or I swear to all that is holy in this world I will empty this gun into your sorry ass.”

I hold my breath as I watch him get back in his car and drive off. He makes a sharp left turn and disappears around the block. Once he’s out of my sight, I exhale slowly and welcome Darla behind the wheel.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice uneven with emotion. “And I am so sorry.”

“What the hell are you sorry for?” she asks, putting the gun back in the glove compartment.

“This! This whole frickin’ mess. Jake, the cartel, guns everywhere… I’m so tired. I never asked for any of it.”

Darla gives me a long, hard look. “Of course you didn’t ask for any of it, nor could I blame you. I get it, now. You are a victim of that asshole’s scheming, pure and simple. You just happened to cross our path, and I know with unshakable confidence that God didn’t bring you to us willy-nilly. This was meant to happen. This bubble had to burst.”

“This is more than a bubble,” I sigh deeply. “It’s a nightmare.”

“And you’re not dealing with any of it on your own, alright? I’ve got you. The boys have got you. Hell, Sammy and Kyle and Jason have your back, too. You’ve seen all those neighbors patrolling the ranch, covering our asses… this is what we do out here, honey. We look out for our own.”

“I still feel responsible.”

“You’ll feel less responsible once we get some food in you.”

Fifteen minutes later, we’re at the Cavalier, getting comfy at one of their corner tables. It’s nice and warm in here. Relatively quiet, too. The lunch rush is over, and only a few customers are hanging around the bar at this time.

Louisa comes over with our menus. She’s just as pretty and as obnoxious as the last time I saw her.

“Oh, look what the cat dragged in,” the girl says, then gives Darla a flat smile. “How are you doing, Auntie D?”

“I’ve seen better days,” Darla replies. “What’s with all that makeup?”

“Huh?” Louisa is taken by surprise. She doesn’t know how to react. “What do you mean? What’s wrong with my makeup?”

Darla scoffs. “You’re barely legal, honey. No need for cakey foundation and way too much eyeshadow, especially in this line of work. What are you tryin’ to do, hit menopause before you turn thirty?”

“Oh, wow, that’s… harsh.”

“It makes you look old.”

“I would really love a chicken and mushroom pie with the flaky crust, if your kitchen is open,” I cut in with a soft smile, almost feeling sorry for the girl. “And some sparkling water, please.”

“Huh? The chicken and mushroom pie,” the girl says, then starts jotting it down. “Right. Yeah, kitchen’s open, we can get that done for you. Anything to start with?”

“Um, maybe a cheese and tomato salad?”

“Okay,” she replies, taking my order. “And sparkling water, you said.”

“Yes, please.”

“How about you, Auntie D? What do you wanna eat to go with that nasty attitude you dragged in today?” Louisa says, finding her voice again.

Darla laughs lightly. “You could never take criticism. Makes you more like your uncle than you care to admit. Alright,” she pauses and glances through the menu. “Actually, you know what? I’ll take the same as Melissa. Chicken and mushroom pie. Salad starter. But add a coffee with my sparkling water, please. I need the caffeine fix.”

Louisa nods slowly and walks off, likely muttering a slew of curses that would make a nun blush.

“What?” Darla asks, raising an eyebrow at me. “She had it coming.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” I chuckle softly. “But I do appreciate it.”

“Don’t worry about it. That girl’s been carrying a torch for Colton ever since she was in pigtails. I warned Sammy, but he said it would pass.” She shakes her head slowly. “Colton told me about your date night and Louisa’s behavior.”

“Oh.”

“Well, nothing stays a secret for too long at the ranch,” she replies. “Speaking of. You do need to figure out how you’re going to tell them about the babies.”

“I’ll tell them tonight,” I say, nodding with newfound determination. “I’ll sit them down and just… lay it out. Oh, Darla, what if they don’t want any of this?”

She smiles broadly. “Are you kidding? Those boys are dying to be fathers, to start a family. They just so happened to get lucky enough to stumble upon a woman like you. If that ain’t God talkin’, I don’t know what is.”

“But the cartel—”

“Auntie Darla, can I talk to you for a moment?” Louisa cuts in. I didn’t even see her coming over. “It’s important.”

Darla looks up at her. “What is it?”

“It’s private. Please.”

“Go on, Darla, it’s cool. I’ll wait,” I say.

“Alright.”

The minutes roll by, and my thoughts continue to swirl, ideas brewing, fears unlocking. I become restless as the salads arrive, courtesy of the other waitress. I look around, but I can’t see Louisa anywhere. Darla, either. I check the time on my phone. It’s been twenty minutes. That can’t be right.

“What the…” I mumble and get up from the table.

I’d rather focus on my salad and toasted bread, but something feels off. I walk out of the Cavalier, hopefully finding Darla and Louisa, but they’re nowhere to be found. The street itself is almost empty. Barely a soul outside. It’s close to freezing, and it looks like it’s going to snow again.

“Where are they?” I ask and go up the road. There’s an alley to my right that leads to the back door of the pub.

There’s a car parked a few feet away, wedged between the building walls. No one else can get in or out. The headlights come on, temporarily blinding me. “Motherf…” My voice trails as I hear the car door open and the rushed footsteps.

My heart starts racing. My instincts kick in as I realize the engine is running. I turn to run back up the alley, but I react too late.

Jake covers my mouth with his hand to stop me from screaming. His arm snakes around my waist, and I’m hoisted off the ground. I struggle as hard as I can, trying to kick and hit whatever I can, but I’m no match for a desperate man’s strength.

He drags me out of sight and shoves into the trunk of his car.

“Jake!” I cry out when he pulls back.

“Shut up!” he snaps and smacks me so hard across the face, I see stars for long enough for him to close the trunk.

“Oh, God,” I mumble, fear and dread eating me up from the inside. I’m trapped in the trunk of Jake’s car. I listen to him get back behind the wheel.

The car starts moving, and I’m screwed.