TAYLOR
THREE YEARS LATER
As I lay out the final touches to the table, I can’t help but smile at the pretty tablecloth and balloons. I’m pretty sure I’ve over-catered as usual, but the spread looks fantastic, and I couldn’t be prouder! Molly’s busy tying more balloons with shiny strings all along the porch: unicorns, ponies, hearts, rainbows, and a huge number one. There are signs of autumn around the ranch, but today is a perfect blend of late summer warmth and the relaxed vibes we always save for Sundays.
Iris is taking a nap. I want her to be full of smiles and giggles when her guests arrive. She has been teething recently, so missing naptime is tempting fate. Maverick said he would put her down and then come help out, but when I passed by the nursery ten minutes ago, he was sprawled out in the rocking chair with a milky muslin cloth draped over his bare shoulder, his mouth slack and clearly enjoying a nap himself. I couldn’t resist a photo for the family album or a lingering look for myself. As well as being a total hottie, he’s such a wonderful dad and is often the first up to tend to Iris at night. We’re working on her sleeping through, but she’s taking her sweet time. She’s spoiled with three amazing daddies who always give her too much attention when she’s supposed to be sleeping!
Molly turns and smiles. “Taylor-Made Bakes is on top form today, Tay! I’m eating a piece of everything!” She looks so grown up and being an auntie has only accelerated the process. Watching her transform from a timid child oppressed by our father’s tyranny into a confident teen has been amazing. She’s unfurled like a beautiful flower bud here on the ranch with all the fresh air, good, clean living, and wholesome cowboys. It’s been the making of both of us. We’ve been given the chance to find a safe and happy home and I couldn’t be more grateful.
The phone rings, interrupting my musings, and I head through the swing door to retrieve it swiftly before the baby is woken.
“Hello?”
“Taylor? It’s me.” Kai’s deep voice crackles through the phone line. “I wanted to wish Iris happy birthday and speak to Dad if that’s okay?
“Kai, it’s so good to hear your voice.” Since our visit to Seville, Kai and Jesse have been speaking regularly and have developed a close bond. Jesse wen’t back to Seville last year and we’re hoping Kai will be able to visit the ranch soon. “Iris is in her crib right now, but I’ll give her a birthday kiss from you when she wakes up.”
“Thanks, Taylor. Maybe one year I can celebrate with you all.”
“We’d love that. Let’s try and make it happen. Hang on one moment. I’ll try to find your dad.”
I pad back through the kitchen and onto the porch to call Jesse in, but he is already halfway to meet me, having anticipated this call all week long.
“Kai?” His face lights up when I confirm, and his smile reaches beyond his eyes and right to his heart . Since I arrived at Twin Springs, Jesse’s softened. He’s still committed to his livelihood but is also totally devoted to his family. When he takes the phone, he rests his hand on my waist and presses a lingering kiss to my neck. Arousal fizzes through me, and he smiles knowingly as he puts the phone to his ear and greets his son. It’s a smile of promise for later.
I watch him walk away, laughing and joking, rubbing the back of his neck, and the love that fills me every hour of every day swells against my ribs.
I return to the kitchen, making a mental note to start thawing the ice cream cake a little ahead of time. I need something frosty to cool me down! Ice cream is still a relatively new item on my list of top treats and is going down a storm. We’re going to start with the rodeo games again from next year, so I want to make sure to showcase the business in all its glory so that word spreads out of state and beyond. Having Iris has actually fueled my ambition. After his initial enthusiasm, Jesse was worried that having a child so young would squash my hopes and dreams. Instead, she’s given me even more purpose. I need to be happy to be the best mommy, and running my small business adds a layer of personal fulfillment to my life. I feel absolutely blessed.
The oven pings as I slide the floral mitts Molly made for my birthday over my hands. I inhale the tempting savory steam as it swirls out with the opening of the oven door. Molly wants to make practical accessories for busy home kitchens and has already sold oven mitts, aprons, dishcloths, and tablecloths at one of Barb’s events at the ladies groups. It looks like she’s going to be a business woman too. Maverick told me I’ve been an inspiration to her and I almost cried with pride.
“I think that might be the best smell in the world,” Clint says from behind me. He’s been setting up games in the backyard and loves the fun side of being a father. He likes to strap Iris to his chest and show her the animals at the shelter. He’s convinced that she’ll be a veterinarian one day, and if he gets his way, then I’m sure she will! Taffy adores her, and he and Iris always have a little nuzzle when we take her over to the stables. One thing’s for sure, Iris will love her life on the ranch, growing up with so much land and so many animals to call her own. Who knows how many siblings she’ll have to share all of this with, but I feel certain that this is only the start of our family.
Three wonderful daddies definitely beats one terrible one. None at all would have be better than the one I was saddled with. I don’t see my father anymore and it’s a huge relief. Maybe I could have forgiven what he did to me, but I could never forgive what he did to Molly. His actions have left him alone in the world. My men have never gotten over what he did to the both of us, and when Iris arrived, the abuse we suffered broke their hearts all over again. Finding out there are good men in the world has helped me put the past behind me, even if forgetting it totally is out of reach.
I smack away Clint’s hand as he reaches out to grab a steaming pastry. He throws his arms around my waist and pulls me in, pressing a kiss to my forehead that makes me melt. He smells of the outdoors, like hay and sunshine. I linger on the strong thump of his heart and breathe in his manly scent. “Let’s shower before everyone arrives,” I whisper. He ducks his head and grins conspiratorially.
“You propositioning me, girl. At our daughter’s first birthday?”
“Maybe?” I laugh. “Maybe it’s time to make another baby!”
His gaze turns molten instantly. “You serious?”
“Yeah,” I grin. “I’m mid-cycle, so it’s as good a time as any.”
I don’t have a chance to breathe before he scoops me into his arms and whisks me up the stairs.
Shower sex probably isn’t the ideal kind for procreation, but it sure feels good, and Clint’s a special kind of riled up, taking me hard and fast against the cold tiles until we’re both crying out with pleasure, and he’s filling me with his seed. As we dress, I wonder if Clint’s baby will have his serious lips or his pretty eyes. Iris has her daddy’s baby blues, like wildflowers and moonlight.
Downstairs, Maverick has finally woken, and is holding Iris. She’s wearing a tiny pink cowgirl hat with IRIS embroidered in small flowers. She’s giggling as he presses soft kisses to her neck. When Jesse walks by, she reaches out her chubby arms for him, too.
She’s spoiled in the best possible way.
“Looking a little flushed there, guys,” Maverick says, cocking a brow.
“Shower,” Clint grunts, but then he bends and takes my mouth in a passionate kiss that has me swooning and moaning. Jeez. If he keeps on like this, I’m going to have to drag him back upstairs for round two of getting-Taylor-pregnant-again!
Thirty minutes later, Holt and Katherine come tearing around the side of the house, with their arms laden with beautifully wrapped gifts in shades of pink and green.
“Where’s Iris? I want to be the first to hold her!” Holt takes his role as big cousin very seriously and is relieved that he is no longer the youngest in the family. Katherine holds back a little. “Auntie Taylor will say when.”
“Boo, you two!!!……” Molly runs down the steps and scoops the twins into her arms, planting kisses on their heads and tickling them both into a frenzy. I stand and take in the scene in the doorway. Jesse passes Iris to me so he can take some drinks outside. She’s had a feed and her perfect, tiny hand squeezes mine. “Mamama!” The sound of Iris’s voice grips my heart and I melt. Breathing in her sweet scent, I plant a kiss on the top of her head. She doesn’t have much hair, just blond wisps, which I have fixed with a couple of tiny pink bows. This has to be the most loved little girl in the world. I am going to make sure that she never doubts it. She’ll always be protected by me, her daddies, and her extended family. She’s blessed in all the ways I hoped for.
Duncan follows round the corner after Beth, who is beaming and beautiful in a floral dress and white stetson. She has spent a lot more time at the ranch recently and has taken to coming with the twins to ride on Sundays. I think making her an aunt has sealed the peace between us. It has been so good to get close to her and the kids. Duncan’s struggling under the weight of boxes of beer and even more gifts. “Gotta make sure that this party is well hydrated!” he says.
The food is under the shade, but the heat will mean that we’ll have to tuck in soon. The kids will want to get into the inflatable pool, too.
“Presents and food first, games and chaos after, right you two?” They both fall about laughing and come scuttling up the steps to kiss their cousin.
After lunch, and when everything is cleaned away, we sit in the shade, watching the kids have fun. Opening Iris’s gifts is a fun but overwhelming experience. Me, Jesse, Clint, and Maverick all take turns as Iris reaches out her chubby hands to help us rip off the paper with excited gurgles and tickles. She’s getting tired but is fueled by adoring eyes and claps of appreciation from her birthday guests. We unwrap a gift box from Molly which is full of handmade dresses. They are stunning and unique, and I am choked by her thoughtfulness. The twins join in opening their gifts: books, a small pink trike, a teddy in wranglers, checked shirts and tan boots, a toy telephone and a blanket with Iris embroidered onto it. I’m struggling with the generosity and thoughtfulness and hadn’t noticed Mitch disappearing out the front door. I hear him come back in with a large, simply wrapped box. I pass Iris over to Beth and step forward. As I tear off the paper and slide open the box flaps, I inhale deeply, and emotion catches in my throat.
“This is so beautiful. Thank you!” Inside the box is a beautiful rocking horse.
“Mitch painted it himself,” Barb says, smiling proudly at her husband.
“Barb made the saddle,” Mitch says. They’re so cute together.
Iris may be only a year old, but it won’t be long, and she will be riding this by herself. Mitch helps me remove the box so everyone can see. “Mamamama.” Iris’s eyes are wide, and her arms reach for the horse. Maverick scoops her up from Beth’s arms and places her on the back of it, holding her tightly and singing Horsey Horsey to her. She laughs but begins to rub her eyes.
Jesse says he’s heading to the bathroom but comes back moments later with a box of his own. It is loosely wrapped, and he’s being extra careful not to drop it. “Taylor, this one’s for you and Iris to share.” My pulse quickens, and again, my eyes threaten to spill with tears. The moment is too much. Everyone I love is in the same room, all of them fixing me with warm, eager gazes, urging me to open the box. As I peer in the top, my heart leaps into my mouth. A tiny cream and tan puppy stares up at me with two droopy eyes and a shiny, wet nose. It stands up, grateful for its freedom, and I scoop it into my arms. I breathe in the puppy scent and feel a sharp pinch as it nips one of my ears. “I’d better call you Nipper.” Everyone laughs, and I exhale, feeling about as wonderful as anyone can.
“It ain’t over yet you know.” Maverick picks up a small pile of parcels which haven’t been opened yet. “These are from me and Clint.” Iris and I sit down to open a tiny pair of white cowboy boots, a tiny pink and white checked shirt and tiny faded wranglers to match her hat. Today has been an emotional overload but all of it’s good.
I try not to think about the past too much, but in times like this, I marvel at how far I’ve come in just a few years and the happiness that’s possible after so much sadness. Everyday, the sun drops below the horizon, only to reappear bright and beautiful. That’s how I feel, surrounded by my men, daughter, sister, and new family.An auction may have started my journey, but these people I love and who love me are all responsible for making my future glow.
(c) Stephanie Brother 2024
