Reckless Love (Cowboys & Angels 7)

“Is everything okay, Trevor?” she asked, her voice void of its normal humor and feistiness.

I reached for her hand. “Waylynn, are you doing okay with all of this?”

She snarled. “Do any of us do okay with mom’s crazy behavior at Christmas time?”

Chuckling, I shook my head. “No. Harley, Amelia, and Scarlett…all being pregnant.”

Her eyes softened, and she squeezed my hand. “I love you for being concerned, Trevor. It was hard at first when I found out about Harley and Scarlett, but I quickly got over it every time I looked at Liberty. I will admit I felt a bit of jealousy when I found out that Amelia was pregnant. I think her being our sister made it all hit home a bit more. I’ve been talking to a counselor and that’s helped. I think I’ve come to terms with it, but there will always be a piece of me that feels empty.”

“I’m sorry, Waylynn.”

“Please don’t be, Trevor. I really am happy, and I believe there is a reason for everything. Jonathon and I are talking about maybe adopting another baby.”

I smiled. “You are? That’s amazing, Waylynn.”

She nodded her head. “Just talking right now. We’ll see. I love you for caring.”

The heat on my cheeks had to have been obvious to her. “Honestly, it was Liberty who asked. She wanted to make sure you were okay, and I felt like a complete asshole because I hadn’t even thought of asking you myself.”

Waylynn laughed. “God, I love that girl. That was sweet of her to be concerned.”

“She loves you too, Waylynn.”

“I know she does. Now come on. Let’s get back in there. You probably have to save Scarlett from Mom.”

Groaning, I opened the back door for my sister. When Liberty caught my eye, I nodded. She looked relieved.

Clearing my throat, I said, “So, Liberty met someone. Now get to girl talking. I’m going to find Scarlett and save her.”

Waylynn gasped, then turned to Liberty. “Oh my God! Tell me everything!”

With that, I made my way out of the kitchen and through the house. Each room had some sort of action going on. My father was at the bar in the family room pouring himself a shot. I couldn’t help but laugh. He acted like he hated this day, but we all knew he loved it. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t for my mother.

Walking up to Corina, I tapped her on the shoulder. “Hey, do you know where Scarlett is?”

“She’s one of the lucky ones. She snuck out before your mom started the craft area. I believe she is hiding out on the swing on the front porch.”

I frowned. “Craft area?”

With a low groan, Corina held up a hand-decorated ornament. “Chloe’s idea a few weeks back. Melanie jumped all over it, and there is now a designated area in the dining room for everyone to make an ornament.”

My mother walked into the room, and I ducked behind Corina. “I need a distraction, Corina, or she’ll suck me in!”

Corina pointed a finger. “You owe me, Trevor Parker. You owe me big.”

As she walked away, I dove behind the sofa out of sight from my mother.

“Melanie, can you show me how you made that angel?”

I could hear my mother squeal in delight. “Yes! Oh, I could kiss Chloe for coming up with this idea!”

They walked out of the room and I jumped up, only to find Chloe standing in front of me.

Letting out what my brothers would call “a girly scream,” I placed my hand over my chest. “Chloe! Jesus, you scared me. What are you, a ninja? You’re everywhere.”

“You need to come make an ornament, Uncle Trevor.”

Panic hit me. The last thing I wanted to do was craft. I needed to think of something and fast. Chloe was staring at me like she was about to call out for my mother any moment.

“I will, pumpkin, as soon as I find Scarlett. She’ll want to make one for the baby.”

Chloe smiled big, and I felt a little guilty. Just a little.

Reaching for my hand, Chloe tried to pull me into the dragon’s lair, but I stood firm.

“I need to find Scarlett, so she knows the plan.”

Chloe narrowed her eyes like she knew I was lying. The moment her hand went to her hip, I was screwed. What was it about these Parker women? They were bred to sniff out a lie.

“Um, well, I better go find Scarlett.”

“Want me to come?”

“No! I mean, no, pumpkin, you go and have fun. It won’t take me long to find her at all. She’ll be excited. She loves to craft and shi…um…stuff.”

That seemed to be what she wanted to hear.

“Okay!” Spinning on the heels of her bright pink cowboy boots, Chloe called out, “Grammy, Uncle Trevor and Aunt Scarlett are gonna make the baby an ornament.”

That was my one and only chance to escape. And escape I did.