Hands shoved in his pockets, he sighs. “I’ve worried about her. After the way her mom and I argued all the time and then the divorce, I wasn’t sure Bluebonnet would find someone who made her happy. It was always animals. In some ways, it was an escape, I think. But she has found someone, and that makes me happy. You’re a good man, Parker Fields. I’ll be proud to call you my son-in-law.”
“Making her happy is important to me.” I drag my damp palms against my jeans. “Have you said anything to Bluebonnet about... what you’ve pieced together?”
“Nope. I’ll tell her tonight.” He turns toward the door. “Oh, and just so you know, apparently, Bluebonnet had told John she’d talk to me about the wedding but never did. I think I know why.”
“Why?”
“Deep down, she didn’t want to marry him. Bluebonnet isn’t good with confrontation. She just goes along with things to keep the peace.” After a wave, he strides out of the barn.
I drop into a chair and bury my face in my hands. How did I not know Bluebonnet’s dad had money? I mean, they weren’t poor at all, but a trust fund? That’s a long way from not poor. And I hope she isn’t upset that her dad knows the situation.
When a door creaks, I look up, and Kent gives an awkward wave. “I didn’t mean to hear.”
“You cannot tell a soul. Seriously.”
He nods. “I wondered why the proposal and wedding came out of the blue.”
“Please don’t try to talk me out of it.”
He crosses his arms. “Do you really think I’d give you a hard time about choosing to raise someone else’s kid? Have you seen Poppy with Mason? Every time he calls her mom, I feel it right here.” He taps his chest over his heart. “Like I said before, I’m happy for you.”
“When you tell Poppy, make sure she knows that it’s a secret. It will always be a secret. Forever.”
“I understand. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. We’re friends, so it’s all good.”
Kent shifts his stance. “You gave me helpful advice about Poppy when I needed to hear it. So...” He kicks at dirt on the ground. “If you ever need to talk.”
“Thanks. This whole thing is like opening a gift in front of all my friends and getting an amazing Lego set, but I’m the only one who knows the box is empty. No. Actually the worst is when I forget the box is empty and the sinking feeling that comes when I remember.”
“Anything I can do?”
“Keep our secret.”
“Absolutely. But... you can’t really keep a pregnancy a secret forever, typically, because...” He rubs the back of his neck. “You know.” Moving his hand like he’s showing off a big round belly, he shakes his head. “Can’t keep it a secret. It becomes noticeable.”
I give him a well-deserved eye roll. “Obviously. The forever was referring to the other part.”
“Yeah. Makes sense.” He yanks a tool out of his pocket. “I left this in the tack room yesterday and popped in to get it. He came in and started talking before I could make my presence known. Then it was awkward. I’m sorry.”
“It’s good to have someone to talk to about it.”
“Any time.” He pats my shoulder as he walks to the door. “And, who knows, maybe the Lego pieces will magically show up one day.”
“We can only hope.”
Bonnet whinnies, and I walk over and stroke her nose. “What do you know? You’re a horse.”
* * *
Bluebonnet is waitingon the porch when I get to my cabin. “Hey.”
“Everything okay? It’s unlocked. If you need something, you can just go in.”
“I meant to warn you that I’d told my dad about being pregnant, but when I got to work... it was chaos and I forgot to call you. I didn’t know he’d talk to you. And...” She pulls her ponytail over her shoulder. “I’m sorry I never mentioned the money. It isn’t because I don’t trust you or anything. I’ve just been so focused on all the other stuff that I didn’t think about it. Will you forgive me?”
Now I’m in a pickle. Has her dad told her what he knows or only mentioned parts of our earlier chat? “Forgive you for not telling me about the money or for not warning me that your dad thinks I was playing house with his little girl before marriage?”
