I glanced over to Jaxson who looked straight ahead. He took a deep breath. Needing the contact, I reached for his hands, which he gladly took. “I love that, Ty. Thank you.”
“I like it too. I finally have a mom like the rest of my friends. They’re going to like you. Dad, can I tell them all?”
“Yes, buddy. You can.”
Jaxson squeezed my hand. This was one of the most cherished gifts a child could bestow upon me . . . their unconditional love, trust, and belief. The drive home was filled with emotion and elation combining into one. We were a family. A true family. Ty accepted me as his mother.
As the truck parked in front of the barn, Jaxson looked over at me. “I need to check on a few things. Are you okay?”
“More than okay. Check on Sparkles for me. I haven’t gotten by there yet today. We’ll get some lemonade from your mom’s and sit on the front porch.”
Jaxson kissed me. “I will. I love you.”
“Love you more.”
“Not possible.”
Ty and I left the vehicle and headed to the porch. After fixing our glasses we went to the swing. The lemonade was cool and refreshing as we swung, letting the birds chirping fill the silence until I spoke. “I used to sit on my porch at home with my mom and sip lemonade when it was warm. Hot chocolate when it was cold.”
“Really?”
I nodded. “Yep. Every day after school we would talk about what happened. Mom said it was our time to talk about whatever I wanted.”
“When I start school, can I do that with you?”
“Of course. We can start now.”
Ty leaned his head against me as the creak from the swing echoed through the air. “I love you, Mom. Thanks for being my mommy.”
From the hillside the sun reflected on something moving toward us. A car? It was fast. Too fast. Going through the pasture. There was something wrong as my instincts told me to get out of the situation.
I pulled out my cell phone to speed dial Jaxson. Something was off. “Ty get in the house.”
“Mom . . .”
“Ty, please listen to me.”
By the tone of my voice, Ty scurried through the front door and I followed. Jaxson picked up. “Hey, sweetheart. I’ll be just a few.”
“There’s a car speeding toward the house through the field. Are you expecting someone?” I clicked the deadbolts into place.
“You and Ty get in the house. I’m on my way.”
The urgency wasn’t missed as I moved us to the couch.
“We’re already in here and I’ve locked the door. Be careful, Jaxson.”
I could hear him running. “I will. Stay on the phone with me until I get there. I need to make sure you guys are okay.”
“Mommy, what’s going on?” Ty clutched my hand, worry evident in his tone.
I kept an outer calm. “I’m not sure, buddy. Your dad is checking it out. Let’s wait in here together.”
My
number one priority was to make sure Ty was okay. I contemplated going upstairs, but that left us trapped if we needed to leave out the back. A tightness seized my chest, but I forced myself to remain rational.
Jaxson broke through my thoughts. “I’m out on the front porch. Stay on the couch. The car is almost here.”