Our Season (Lifetime Love Series) Read online

  “When I saw Dad do what he did to those people and the way they were put in a horrible spot, it really stuck a chord with me. I wish I would have seen some of the signs and did something to stop it. Maybe if I would have questioned more, and dug deeper into things, rather than just doing what I was told…”

  “Maybe… but what good does worrying about that do now? Your father just would have lied to you like he did everyone else. I asked him many of times if he was doing illegal things. He denied it point-blank. I just never caught him in the act or had proof. ”

  “He cared about nothing except himself.”

  “And you, Son, have lived your last twelve years that same way. That reminds me, Cash. I have a friend at Texas Republic Bank who is looking for a loan officer.” She leaned down into her purse and handed me the card. “At the very least you can do that while you make your way through the academy, right?”

  “That’s great, Mom. Do you think it will be a problem with me being a Galloway and knowing what happened with…”

  “No… I am good friends with him.”

  “Oh, you are?” I smiled at her. I had never seen her smile so big.

  She was getting nervous and one thing my mom didn’t do well, was get shaken.

  “Anyway, Son, I am so blessed that I am getting to see the changes in you, the great things you are going to do.” Mom held up her hand for the waiter to see her.

  “Can I get a frozen margarita, please, for my son? No salt.”

  I looked up confused. “Why are you ordering me that?”

  “It was your aunt Rhonda’s favorite. That’s what she came here for.”

  “Make it two then.” I said. “One for me and one for my mother.”

  This was a good day, and me speaking my thoughts out loud made me more accountable to sticking with them.

  I felt confident in myself that changes were going to be made, no not overnight, but they were going to happen. I was ashamed of what I had become, but not anymore.

  EMMA

  “Come sit in my pool with me, Ant Emma. Pweasssss.”

  I was sitting at the table with my laptop open, going over a few things I had to get done. Today, I got to sit with Olivia while Wyatt and Breigh had a day date. I always loved my time with Olivia, although admittedly I had the pain in my heart, and the pit of my stomach, from wanting a baby so badly. First husband then baby. I reminded myself of that fact, but nevertheless the heart wanted what the heart wanted. I was one of those people who loved to take the hard route, or the hard route liked me, one way or the other.

  “Okay, sweetie. Give me five minutes and I will be done.”

  “Pomisssseee?” she said sweetly. Her little one-piece swimming suit showed her little belly with a cutout around the front and the back. She had a little summer hat, and her little heart sunglasses.

  “Why don't you gather all your Barbies and get them ready to go in?”

  “Wokay.”

  She had suffered a little bit with her sweet little words, trying to get them out but she knew what she was trying to say. I did too. Just like her parents did.

  Five minutes later I shut my laptop and got situated in her little pool. I couldn't help but laugh when the pool water overflowed when I got in and Olivia laughed.

  “Ah ou,” she muttered.

  “Aunt Emma made us lose water,” I said with a laugh and she followed suit.

  She came and sat beside me, trying to sit exactly like me with water covering my legs and toes.

  “I wuv you.” Olivia took my hand with her small chubby one.

  “Oh, princess, I love you.” I leaned in and kissed her forehead.

  I began kicking my feet in the water, splashing water around in the pool. She did too and we had a contest seeing who made the biggest splashes.

  She was grinning from ear to ear.

  “We are home.” I heard Wyatt’s voice and pointed to him as Olivia tried to sit up, falling back. I helped pull her up and out of the pool, so she could go see her daddy.

  He hugged her, getting all wet, and took her into the house but not before hollering that Breigh would be out in a few minutes. I waved my hand and shook my head, telling him I heard him.

  Breigh brought me a hard seltzer and plopped down beside me.

  “Whew, what a day. I need this badly.”

  “I had a great time with Olivia. She is such a blessing.”

  “Isn’t she? I got really lucky.”

  “Luck had nothing to do with it. God gave you that sweet baby because you and Wyatt were meant to be parents.”

  “Who would have thought, huh?”

  I smiled.

  She must have sensed my quietness.

  “It will happen, I know it will.”

  “I know.”

  Breigh reminded me of that constantly, being my cheerleader and not wanting me to give up hope.

  “Today, when I was trying to finish up a little work before getting the pool with Olivia, it really made me realize how much time I have wasted worrying about my career. You know my mom used to always lecture me about getting married and finding the one, but instead I was so picky and working my ass off.”

  “Yes, but things are different for everybody, Emma. It just hasn’t been the right time yet.”

  “Maybe, but what if I had missed that one?”

  “What if all day… it doesn’t get us anywhere.”

  “You know, Caleb really wants to settle down. Maybe y’all are meeting for a reason? Right now, at this time.”

  “Maybe he is just a season in my life though too.”

  “Like Cash? He was a season that has been running for how long now?”

  “Too long, I guess… or not long enough one could argue.”

  “Everything happens for a reason…Maybe it was for him, maybe it was for you. Either way it could be a turning point or wake-up call for either of you.”

  “Cash or Caleb?”

  “Both. God is the only one who sees the cards, my friend. You should know that by now.”

  11

  CASH

  The smell of this place instantly hit my senses and I fought the urge to hold my nose, just like swimming as a kid. This was the first time I had visited my father and I hated I had been so weak before, not wanting to face him.

  Travison County Jail was where he was being held until further processing.

  Wyatt, of course, the strong son, had already been up here to see how he was. My mother let me know if Wyatt had gone up, I was perfectly capable of it. After all, he had put me in the hole with him; I could at the very least talk to him about it.

  Granted, Wyatt had gone up there to let him know what a jackass he was and he was getting what he deserved. My brother had always had a hate for my father and from the way he treated Wyatt, I couldn't blame him.

  After being searched, and damn near stripped down, I sat at the window waiting for my father. I found myself tapping on the top of the cheap countertop to absolutely no beat in my head at all. I hated to stay still and not move; it drove me insane.

  When he walked out from behind the metal door, I barely recognized him. He had only been here for a month but he clearly hadn't shaved, and the circles under his eyes spoke words I knew he would never mutter.

  It was the first time in my entire life I had not seen him clean-shaven.

  He sat at the opposite side of the window, and slowly picked up the phone so we could talk. I watched his movements or the lack thereof. He wasn’t in any rush, acting as if it was more a headache seeing me than pleased.

  “Son…”

  “Dad.” I immediately looked to the side of where I was sitting, not really wanting to make eye contact.

  “I was wondering if you were going to come see me. I figured it might be hard on you. Or at least that is what your mother said.”

  “You figured it would be hard on me? Then why didn't you… why didn’t you warn me of what you were doing?” My voice had gotten louder without my intention and people be
gan looking at me.

  “I just dug myself a hole I had gotten too far buried in. I didn’t know how to tell you everything that…”

  “Everything… nothing. The company was my mother’s. I thought I was helping build something but instead I spent years of my life working with a company that is closed, that is being investigated, every one of us, and I have to start over.”

  He hit his hand on the tabletop and the look in his eyes made me want to walk away. Not because I had never seen my father mad, but because he was acting as if he was calling the shots.

  “I did what I HAD TO DO. You have never been an adult or acted like an adult your entire life. You have had each and every thing handed to you. When you’re a man, you can sit here and tell me what I should and shouldn’t have done.”

  I placed the phone back on the hook on the wall that looked like it hadn't been wiped down with Clorox since it had been installed. I stood up, shocked by his outburst. My father had always been a prick but this showed his true colors, bolder than I had ever seen them. I was so wrong about him.

  He hung up his receiver after I did.

  Instead of walking away like a man, I flipped him off and then turned away toward the door to get the hell out of there.

  I heard his loud laugh as I did so and the pain in my gut made me want to punch the wall. The evil that had hung in the air gave me a chill in my spine.

  I hung my head as I walked out, disappointed in the faith and loyalty I had given to my father.

  I wanted nothing to do with anything that was connected to him in any way. I was getting rid of it all, my apartment in Houston, my car, anything I earned working with him.

  I had to make all the changes I could, to be better than the man I had idolized, before it was too late.

  Our mother had finally secured a home that she loved. She had to give up the home we grew up in, but in her words “it was time to move on.” When she had gotten the notice about the company being seized, she was ready to put it on the market. It went with the marriage as far as she was concerned. She had moved the horses already and had been staying at a furnished townhouse just outside of Hilltop already anyway. My father was holding up the sale, now he couldn’t.

  Today, though, when arriving to help load things up, she was emotional. I could see her stopping and flashing back to times in certain places. I couldn't help but to do that myself. I could see where I snuck girls in the house into my bedroom, the memories that were made between me and Wyatt when things hadn't changed so much between the two of us. Back when we were just two boys playing and not caring about anything but the next moment.

  “I’m sorry you are having to do this, Mom. I know you were ready for the divorce, but this just adds to it.”

  “I was only worried about the horses and living where I didn't stress over bills. Memories I can take with me.” She paused and took a sip of sparking water. “The ones I want to take with me anyway.”

  “I’m glad the horses were already moved before today. It would have made it harder on you…” I commented, actually knowing that what I was saying was the reaction my mother would have had.

  Wyatt and Breigh pulled up with Emma and Olivia in tow. I had to laugh seeing Olivia wave to me and her meemee.

  Everyone got out of the Ford Explorer and smiled, hugging my mother. Finally, they made their way to me.

  Emma looked as beautiful as she always did, but probably for the first time she wasn't wearing her heels. However, she was wearing some type of flip-flop that had a similar height. Her shorts were dark linen, with a light V-neck shirt tucked in. One glance at her legs and I was brought back to them being wrapped around me when I showed up to her house.

  “Mom doing okay this morning?” Wyatt asked, taking my attention away from who he saw me eyeing, waving a hi quickly to our mother.

  “She seems to be. She is glad her horses are already moved… I’ve caught her stopping to think of things or have a wave of memories hit her.”

  “This will be a good thing, getting her out of here, starting fresh,” Wyatt said.

  “Yes, it will. Memories can be just as haunting as they can be welcome.”

  I walked him through to the main living area of the house. “All the boxes need to be moved into the U-Haul. She had most of the furniture already moved by the movers earlier in the week, but she didn't want her valuables in boxes to be touched by them. Afraid they would break things.”

  “So let’s hope we don't break anything then,” he said with a smirk, thinking of the numerous things we had broken playing too rough when we were younger.

  The women came in and Mom escorted them to the kitchen to show them how everything was packed around them. Mom offered drinks but no one wanted anything but Olivia.

  “I didn't know Emma was coming,” I remarked to Wyatt, but not turning to look at his reaction.

  “She wanted to get out of the house, and go on the road trip with us,” he said.

  “Is she okay?”

  “Seems to be. Breigh is mothering her like always, and of course Olivia thinks she is a living Barbie.”

  “She is,” I said with a smile. “Any…”

  “No, I don't know and I don't care. I don't want to be involved in it,” he snapped. “I want to get Mother moved and get back home so I can enjoy my day off tomorrow.”

  “Got it.” And I did, but when I was with Wyatt and Breigh I was able to get some insight into Emma. The more I knew the better.

  I was still sending Emma texts, and would continue, but still in the back of my mind I wondered if it was a waste of time.

  This was new territory for me. I usually didn’t have to chase; I just waited and good things came to me. Whoever said that the chase was the fun, I’d disagree. It was frustrating as hell.

  Four hours later, we had every box in the house loaded. I had always known where I grew up was huge but a person really didn't grasp it until moving from it. I was thankful the furniture was moved before, otherwise, we wouldn't have gotten this done in one day.

  I was soaked with sweat, as was Wyatt, and the women had helped us move as much as they could, cleaning up along the way. Olivia was busy playing in an empty box we had let her draw on. She was in hog heaven.

  Closing the U-Haul and using my shirt to wipe my face, I took a deep breath. I closed my eyes for just a minute to hide from the sun.

  “You want a Gatorade or water?” Emma said sweetly, holding both out to me in front of her. I watched as a gulp formed in her throat as she looked down on how my shirt hadn't gotten back into place. I had always been blessed with a nice set of abs, and strong shoulders, all parts of my body had begun taking more shape with my working out more, preparing for the academy. I knew she loved them, loved when she ran her tongue up and down them in the center.

  “Thanks… a Gatorade.” I took it from her and then held it in one hand while deciding to rip off my shirt. It wasn't doing any good anyway. I was shamelessly giving her a little of a show.

  I put it around my neck to soak up some of the sweat.

  She stood in front of me in a trance.

  “You okay?” I asked her, smiling wickedly. I was aware of what I was doing.

  “Just hot out here.” She used her hand to wave her face.

  “You want to come for a walk with me before we leave?”

  “What about everyone else?” She asked, turning around to see if they were behind her yet.

  “Wyatt! I’m taking Emma to my spot, okay?”

  “Was your spot! Mom is going to ride with us, so can Emma ride with you in the U-Haul?”

  I glanced at Emma to get her approval. “That’s fine. We will be right behind y'all,” I said.

  I reached for her hand and led her to my place along the back of the land, hidden by trees and our pond.

  At first, she didn't really say anything and neither did I. I listened to her breath as we took our steps through the pasture.

  “I don't know how your feet don't hurt in those shoes. Do
you want me to carry you?”

  “I’m used to them. I always wear heels so these are nothing!” She smiled at me confidently. “Where are you taking me?”

  “Just a spot I love. It is really the only thing I am going to miss here.”

  “Don't you think it’s kind of sad that your family has lived here for so long and you will miss a spot out here?”

  “I guess. Let’s not act like we were this happy-go-lucky family.”

  “I know,” she agreed. I’m sure she had heard plenty of stories from Wyatt and Breigh.

  “I was lucky to get that. The older I get the luckier I feel.”

  I walked a while longer, with little chitchat, until we got to the tree. I smiled as I raised my hand up to show her.

  The shade alone was magnificent. The trunk was massive and showed the stability of the years.

  It sat in perfect angle to the pond with other smaller trees around it. This was the only area that always stayed green throughout the entire property.

  “Wanna take a seat for a minute?” I asked her, and took her hand to assist.

  I sat next to her and we sat in silence for just a few seconds.

  “Wyatt and I used to always come here when we were mad or sad. Then it became just my spot when he started to hate me like he did.”

  “I’m guessing that wasn't one-sided.”

  “Of course not. I wasn't exactly a nice guy.”

  “Putting it mildly,” she said.

  I looked over at her smile, mostly because that was one of the things I loved about her. She was honest and didn't say anything she didn’t feel.

  “I was thinking about how you said you were lucky for having what you had when you were growing up,” I said touching her hand lightly.

  “And.”

  “I want to provide that for someone someday. A family. Stability and a good home. A home that children want to be at, not run from.”