“Honey, you need to get up. Jimmy’sscared.”
“I should have told him a long time ago. I wouldn’t be going through this if I had just told him. What the hell is wrongwithme?”
Her mom sighed and helped her to her feet. “You were only eighteen when it happened. You were just out of high school and still ateenager.”
“But I was anadult.”
“Being an adult isn’t just about hitting a certain number on a development chart. It’s about learning to be responsible. And you’ve learned. I know things have been hard, but you’ve always done the best youcould.”
“I failed him,” shecried.
“Jimmy orBrady?”
“Bothofthem.”
Her mom guided her up the stairs. “Come upstairs. You need to get out of the snow before you catchacold.”
“That’s not how you catch a cold,” Rachelsniffed.
Her mom chuckled. “Science can’t explaineverything.”
She laughed at their age-old argument about where illness really came from. As she collapsed into the couch, Jimmy ran over to wrap his arms aroundhismom.
“Is the badmangone?”
Her heart broke all over. At least Jimmy hadn’t realized he’d just met his father. She dreaded the day she’d have to tell him the truth about theirrelationship.
Her mom set a tea kettle on the stove. “Some chamomile will help youcalmdown.”
“I have to go after him. I have to talktohim.”
“How did you get him to come over here? What did youtellhim?”
“Nothing. I just…” her voice trailed off. Her mother was going to kill her when she found out that she’d slept with Bradyagain.
“His scent is all over you. You should have taken a shower if you really wanted to hide it.” Her mom chuckled. “So how’d you two end up in bed again? I have to say, I didn’t expect thatatall.”
“I ran into him at the bar lastnight.”
“I didn’t think hedrank.”
“If he does, it’s not much. He was pretty messed up lastnight.”
“Did you get a chance to tell him about the medicalsituation?”
Rachel stroked the top of Jimmy’s head. “No. I need to, but he’s furious. How can I ask him forhelpnow?”
“You just have to go to the ranch and talk to him. Now that he knows he has a son, there’s no way he’ll turn his backonhim.”
“You sound pretty sureaboutthat.”
Her mom smiled. “I know these things. I’ll watch Jimmy while you go and talktohim.”
Jimmy tilted his face up. “Namma said I can help makecookies.”
“With sprinkles and stars,” her momadded.
Rachel forced a smile. “That sounds great. I’m going to go talk to my friend, but I’ll be backverysoon.”
