Tate eyed him. “We good?”
“All good,” he confirmed, smiling as Emmy brought her hands to her chin and squealed, “She licked me.”
Trinity stood, but wobbled until she got her balance with Liz right beside her steadying her with a hand to her shoulder. “I think I’m going to go inside and get out of the sunlight.” She hadn’t worn her sunglasses.
“I’ll go with her,” Liz volunteered, leading Trinity back to the porch.
“Let’s get these critters settled into their new home.” Tate took the lead rope for Red and the goat and led them down the driveway to the barn.
Jon picked up Emmy and led Baxter, though he mostly followed Red.
Tate called back to them. “So there’s a big cattle auction next week. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate, so if you want, I can go. We’ll get this place up and running in no time.”
“Sounds good,” he heard himself say, even though he did have a lot going on right now. But he wanted the ranch, Emmy and Trinity, and the life they made here.
“Then it’s settled. You’re going into the family business.”
As in Jon was now a part of the suppliers for Almost Homemade. He loved it.
It didn’t take them long to put the horses in their stalls, feed and water them, then make Pippa comfortable in another stall with lots of hay in case she went into labor and delivered her kid.
Tate closed the stall door. “The renovations to the barn turned out great. The animals should be really comfortable here.”
“Thanks for picking up and delivering them here. I appreciate it.”
“That’s what family is for. Please get medical clearance from Trinity’s doctor before you put her on a horse.”
“Trust me, that’s not happening unless I have written consent.”
Tate slapped him on the back. “She’s a stubborn one, but I think she’s taking this head injury seriously. How did she sleep last night?”
“Like the dead. Me too, actually.” Jon tickled Emmy’s belly. “And Emmy slept with Razzle last night.”
“Everyone had a friend to sleep with then.” Tate gave him a knowing look that Jon didn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.
Jon looked at the house and out at the rolling green landscape. “What do you think, Emmy? Will it be fun living out here and riding the horses?”
“This is the best, Daddy.” She hugged his neck again and he felt like Father of the Year.
This was the life he wanted for Emmy. Happy. Carefree. Filled with fun and sun and learning about taking care of the animals and land just like he did when he was a kid.
They walked into the house and he stopped short when he saw Trinity standing in the living room showing off the beautiful blue gown she wore to Liz and Tate.
“It’s gorgeous. The cut is perfect.” Liz looked at Trinity with sheer joy in her eyes.
Jon agreed. Everything about the dress showed off Trinity’s curves and golden blond hair to perfection. “God, you’re beautiful.”
“So pretty.” Emmy squirmed to get down.
He set her on her feet and she ran over to Trinity and touched her leg to feel the dress.
“Soft. Shiny.” Emmy hugged Trinity’s thighs.
Liz held up two tiny dresses. “What do you think of these?” One was blue, the same shade as Trinity’s dress. The other a pretty vibrant purple.
“Why two?” he asked.
Liz held one, then the other up to Emmy. “We’ll see which one fits her best.”
The alarm on his phone went off. He’d completely lost track of time. But he needed to meet with Steph and her attorney.
“Time to go?” Trinity asked.
“Yeah. Are you okay? Outside, you seemed off.”
“Just the sunlight messing with my eyes. I’m good now. Liz is going to stay awhile so we can catch up. Go. I’ll be here when you get home.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. Put the past in the past and let’s move on.”
“Where are you going?” Emmy rubbed her hand over Razzle as she wound her way through Emmy’s legs.
He went to her and crouched low. “I’m going to see your mom.”
Emmy backed into Trinity’s legs. “I don’t want to go.”
Trinity brushed her hand over Emmy’s head. “Only Daddy is going.”
“You’re staying here with Trinity and Aunt Liz. I’m just going to talk to your mom about what happened and about her going away for a long time. That’s all. You are staying here with us. Okay?”
She nodded, but stayed close to Trinity.
“Do you want me to tell your mom anything?”
“She’s mean. I don’t want her.” Emmy turned and hid her face in Trinity’s thighs.
“Okay. I’ll tell her. I’ll also tell her that this is your home. This is where you belong. This is where you will stay.” He hoped that eased Emmy’s mind.
Emmy peeked back at him. “Promise?”
“I promise.” He held his arms out.
She hesitated for a second, then launched herself into his chest. He wrapped her in a big hug, careful of the bruises on her backside. “I love you, baby. I won’t let anything happen to you ever again.”
“And Trinity will be the mommy now,” Emmy demanded.
He took her face in his palms and held her away so she could see he meant what he said. “Yes. She is.” He kissed her on the forehead, then let her go.
She immediately went back into Trinity’s embrace.
“I’ll take care of her,” Trinity promised.
“I know you will. With your life.” He kissed Trinity, then left her and Emmy to go do the one thing he didn’t want to do but needed to do to end this chapter of his life so he could start a fresh new one with his girls.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Jon walked into the visiting area at the jail where Steph was being held and took a seat in front of her just as the guard closed the door behind him. Steph’s lawyer set up the visit, so she knew he was coming. Still, seeing her in the prison-gray pants and shirt, her skin pale and washed out, eyes bloodshot with dark circles under them, took him aback.
“How did we get here?” she asked him, and he gnashed his back teeth. “You said you’d take care of us.”
“I gave you a roof over your head and support when you needed it. You beat Emmy. You left bruises on her. You attacked the woman I love in front of her.”
Steph rose and slammed her hands on the table. “I wasn’t going to let her take my daughter.”
The guard observing them walked forward. “Remain in your seat and keep things civil or you will be taken back to your cell.”
Steph huffed out an exasperated breath and fell back into her seat. She glanced at the door. “Where is she? Waiting outside?” She meant Emmy.
“She’s at home. With Trinity.”
“You didn’t bring her!”
“Why would I bring her to jail to see you after the way you traumatized her?”
Steph waved that away. “I’m sure she’s fine.”
“She’s not fine. She has nightmares. She goes quiet for long periods of time. She clings to me and Trinity. She thought you abandoned the cats. Luckily, Trinity arranged to get Razzle back.”