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“Fried chicken and mashed potatoes or hamburgers and French fries,” was Bull’s answer.
“Why don’t we plan on both? Should I make a dessert?”
“Well, we have Oreos.”
Isabella laughed. “You and your Oreos. How about I make a white cake with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles. Every kid loves sprinkles.”
His face brightened. “I like them too. I’ll even make Luke a special breakfast this morning.”
“Good. You two are going to have a blast together.” She hoped they’d let her join in also. “We can go horseback riding and play games. I bet we can even find some Disney movies on Netflix for him.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Bull told her. He studied the beautiful woman at his side. Isabella seemed right at home.
He could get used to this.
…An hour later, the cake was done and she’d prepped everything else. Now, all she needed to know was when their guest would be arriving. Approaching Bull’s office door, she knocked lightly. When he didn’t answer, she glanced in. The office was empty. Hearing a noise down the hall, she went to check, spotting him in Luke’s room. “Have you heard from Carol?”
Bull was straightening the bedspread. “Yea, he’ll be here in about a half hour.” He adjusted stuffed toys on the bed, carefully stepping over the green toy soldiers scattered on the floor.
Nine o’clock. Zero hour.
Isabella was very aware that Luke wouldn’t be arriving by himself. Carol would be bringing the little boy by.
Bull hugged her close to him, kissing the top of her head. “I’m nervous,” he confessed.
“Why? He’s your son.”
“Yes, he is,” he said slowly. “Come here, I want to tell you something.” He drew her down on the bedspread he’d just straightened.
Isabella could tell by his voice that this was something important. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, I just want to share something with you.” He picked up a teddy bear and sat it in their laps, where it sat partially on her thigh and partially on his. “Luke is my boy in every way that counts, but I’m not his biological father.”
Isabella’s heart broke for him. “Oh, Benedict.”
“I told you she cheated on me. I walked in on them in our bed once. Matt Lawton was my foreman.” Bull shook his head at the memory. He didn’t love Carol anymore, he hadn’t for a long, long time. In fact, he couldn’t even compare what he’d felt on the best day he’d ever had with his ex-wife to any day he shared with Isabella. There was just no comparison. Still, the memory of the betrayal stung like fire. “I’d fired the asshole and Carol and I were on the verge of separating when she discovered she was pregnant. She pretended the baby was mine and I let her.” He shrugged. “I loved him before he was born and I love him now.”
“I always knew you were a good man, Benedict Redford.” She hugged him tightly. “You just proved my point.”
Bull hung his head. “When we couldn’t make it together anymore, she threw it in my face that the baby wasn’t mine. She took him away from me and got back together with Lawton. I sued for custody and she proved Luke wasn’t mine with a paternity test.” He set the Teddy Bear down on Luke’s pillow. “I petitioned the first court for visitation rights, but I was denied. Even though I was pushed out of Luke’s life, I started voluntarily paying child support. A few months ago, I petitioned the court to reconsider my position and a kind-hearted judge has given me limited visitation rights. This is the first time our schedules have worked out.”
“Well, let’s just be thankful she’s cooperating. After you rushed to him in the hospital, I’m sure she realized that she’s done you wrong,” Isabella consoled him. “So, don’t worry. I’m sure little Luke will be over the moon when he sees you. Maybe that will soften Carol’s cold heart and you two can see more of each other.”
“Oh, you don’t know my ex. She can be…umm…”
“A bitch?”
“I’m sure there is a more delicate way to put it, but yes, that about sums it up. Carol is no stranger to throwing a tantrum when she doesn’t like something. And I’m worried she might so something this time. I don’t want to do anything to set her off.”
“Why would she do such a thing?” She rubbed his back. “You’ve been nothing but accommodating to her.”
It was true, Bull had bent over backward for his ex-wife. When Aron McCoy found out how much Bull was sending the woman, he’d approached him to discuss it. “I’m not tryin’ to argue with you or step into your business, Bull, but you’re letting that woman take advantage of you,” Aron had said one day as they were standing in Canyon’s blacksmith shop on Tebow Ranch. The men had ridden the circuit together and although not the best of friends, a relationship still existed. “Canyon just mentioned it the other day.”
“I’d thank you both to stay out of my personal business, McCoy,” Bull had grumbled in response.
“Oh, come on now, Bull. Don’t be that way. Canyon just cares about you, is all. Hell, he’s your best friend. I could tell he wants to say something to you about it, he just doesn’t want to piss you off.”
“Something you don’t mind doing, I take it. I ain’t too old and broken down to whoop your ass, McCoy.”
