Lies Beneath the Surface (Buried Secrets 2)

“She does deserve to know the truth, but I don’t want to tarnish her memory of Daddy. I know it has to be done though. Just give me the time to work up the courage to do so and I’ll tell her when I’m ready.”

“When you’re ready? Damn it, Carly Jo quit sittin’ on your frickin’ hands. What if Luke’s right and your sister needs savin’?” He grips my chin in his thick hands, peering into my eyes. “Be her anchor, darlin’.”

Chapter 23

Work has been kickin’ my ass these last few weeks. MSHA has hit us with every damn safety violation under the sun over the last month. Even the feeder mines-Black Ridge, Coal Branch, Sloan and Bailes all have a mess of violations to repair before MSHA starts finin’ or worse-shuttin’ us down. Carly Jo has enough to worry with, so I’ve been tryin’ to carry the brunt of her load at Simon Energy as well. I haven’t had much time at home with my girls. But now that the weddin’ is planned, I’m lookin’ forward to our first family vacation together in June. I would almost wish the days away just for June twenty-eighth to get here sooner, but each moment with Carly Jo is too precious. So I bide my patience, hold onto each memory we make and thank God for each second he blesses me with her.

She’s tremblin’ nervously as she holds my hand in a death grip, her knees shaking violently as she bounces her feet. Damn it, when did she get so strong? “Darlin’, are you nervous or excited?” I chuckle.

She glances up at me behind those beautiful sunflower irises I love so damn much and my heart thuds harder seein’ the adoration that shines in her eyes. “Nervous? Excited? I’m just one flamin’ hot mess this morning, baby.” She rattles out quickly with a quivering smile.

I pull her chin into my hand, tiltin’ her head so that she looks at me. “Baby, calm down. You’ve been examined before. The only difference in today’s visit is when they show us our little monkey, we’ll get to see if it’s a little boy or a little girl.”

“You’re right. I’m just getting myself all worked up for nothing. But if they don’t hurry, I’m seriously gonna piss down my leg.” She laughs, her cheeks flushin’ red with embarassment. The office door swings open and we’re greeted by Kaylee whose smile gleams brightly. This woman obviously loves her job or is just lovin’ life. Ain’t ever seen somebody smile so damn much.

“Mornin’, little momma. You ready to see that little monkey again?” She asks Carly Jo. I help her up from the chair and she sways to the side light on her feet. Won’t be long til her belly will be so damn big she’ll be wobblin’. I laugh to myself, watchin’ her ass shake with each step she takes towards Kaylee. “Ooh, you brought that sexy man with you again today, Carly. You better be glad you’re carryin’ his kid or I’d almost fight ya for him.” She winks at me as I pass by her and I nod my head, greetin’ her silently.

Kaylee weighs her in and checks her vitals while they make small talk. Once she’s done she takes us to the ultrasound exam room where she instructs Carly Jo to unbutton her pants and to wait patiently for Dr. Staton. Turning on her heels, she closes the door behind her. Holdin’ her hand, she climbs up on the step, and begins fidgetin’ with the top of her pants. “Here darlin’, let me.” I say reachin’ up and unbuttonin’ her jeans. Trailin’ my finger softly across the hem of her panties her eyes drift shut and she smiles from ear to ear.

“What the hell are you trying to do to me, Colton Jacob?” She mutters.

“Just tryin’ to ease your nerves you filthy minded freak. Get on the table and wait for the doctor like a good girl.” I grip her thighs in my hands willin’ her to sit down, before layin’ her back gently. I adjust the pillow behind her back, then take a seat beside her. I rub her belly and talk to her about the baby while we wait for Dr. Staton.

“Are you hopin’ for a boy or girl?”

“I’m happy as long as it’s healthy. What do you want?”

&n

bsp; “Same for me, darlin’. Have you been thinkin’ of names?”

She nods excitedly and the giggle hangin’ on the corner of her lip is too damn cute. “I love the names Rylee, Jordyn, Chesney and Embry for a girl. For a boy my favorites are Blake, Brantley and Tyler.”

It’s hard not to smile at her excitement. “Well, I like Bobby Sue, Jeffro and Chuck.” I spout out randomly. She shoots me a deadpan glare and her mouth flattens into a thin line.

“Hell. No.” And so it begins. I shrug at her comment and she raises up, slappin’ me in the arm. “What the hell are you thinkin’ Colton Jacob Weston? The name we give our baby needs to be meaningful and something we both love. Not some hick ass name that the poor child will carry shame for all his or her life. Have you lost your damn mind?!” She shrieks and I can’t hide my laughter.

“Well, I for one think the name Jeffro shows a lot of integrity. You need to consider it, darlin’.” I say with a wink.

“You better pray to God that you’re shittin’ me right this damn minute, Colton. I’m tellin’ Kaylee not to let you fill out any damn paperwork when the baby is born.” She laughs, finding humor in my choice of names. I’d never name my kid Jeffro or Chuck, but I did put a smile on my darlin’s face and took her mind off the anxiety that she’s feelin’; if only for just a few minutes.

I grip her chin with my hand, pullin’ her into a deep kiss as I caress her belly. “Darlin’, we’ll decide on the perfect name for our little monkey and I promise you Jeffro and Chuck won’t make the cut.”

Fifteen minutes of waitin’ and Dr. Staton finally enters the room with Kaylee on her heels.

“Oh thank you Jesus!” She shouts, raisin’ up off the table. Holdin’ her belly with one hand she wipes runaway tears from her face. “Please do this damn ultrasound so I can pee already!”

Dr. Staton laughs as she reads through Carly Jo’s chart. “Well good mornin’ to you, Carly and Colton. My, don’t you look elated?”

“I’m sorry doc, she was nervous so I had to get rid of the tension somehow.” I shrug.

“And just how did you do that, Colton?” Dr. Staton asks with a quirked up eyebrow.

“He threatened to name our little monkey Jeffro! Jeffro! PLEASE I beg you not to let that happen. I don’t give a damn if I’m unconscious when you deliver my baby and you have to put little monkey on the damn birth certificate. Whatever you do, don’t let him name it Jeffro. Or Chuck!”

Kaylee doubles over in a fit of laughter. She grabs her side, trying to calm her breathing as she enters everything into the computer for Carly Jo’s ultra sound. “You might be hot, but I swear I’d probably knock you on your ass if you tried to name this sweet baby Jeffro.” She giggles. “Alright, little momma, lay back.” She tells Carly Jo before measuring her stomach. She jots down some notes then squirts blue jelly all over her abdomen. Walking across the room she flips off the light, then waits for Dr. Staton to begin.

Dr. Staton steps towards the exam table and sits on the stool. Grabbing the wand, she places it on Carly Jo’s stomach and begins the ultrasound. Carly Jo and I smile at each other when our little monkey comes into view on the LCD monitor anchored to the wall. Dr. Staton does different measurements, pointing out the baby’s arms, legs, eyes and chest. “Everything is looking great, Carly. Little monkey is very healthy and growing like a ragweed. The baby measures at twenty one weeks and four days, well ahead of your gestation.” She adds. My eyes stay transfixed on the monitor, mesmerized by my sweet, little baby movin’ around in Carly Jo’s belly. She squeezes my hand and I glance over at her. The love and adoration that shines brightly in her eyes reflects the same that I feel for her deep in my heart.