Reckless (Chestnut Springs, #4)

by Elsie Silver

Looking at Sloane now, all smiles and messy hair, I suppose it also led me to having a friend. Possibly my only friend in a life full of acquaintances and co-workers. And that alone makes everything I’ve been through worth it.

Velvet taste, microfiber budget. That’s me. Winter Hamilton. And I’m alright with it.

Same girl

Now, my math is right again. Wishing Well Ranch is where I met Theo Silva.

I huff out a laugh. “Likeable when I want to be could be my slogan.”

After years of trying and failing, I can’t find it in me to be upset. I cried in the hospital bathroom while I stared at that tiny pink plus sign. I cried happy tears.

My hand falls across my still flat stomach and I sigh. I’m going to be happy.

Winter: Hi, it’s Winter. Is this Theo Silva? Are you getting my voicemails? I’ve left three now. Winter: Are you aware that you have read receipts on? I know you’ve seen my text. Theo: Yes. I’ve gotten your voicemails. I’m not interested in talking. Winter: Listen, I’m trying not to be a full-on bitch to you right now. But can you please call me? I need to tell you something. Theo: Then tell me. Winter: Via text? Theo: Yup. Winter: Fine. That night in the hotel, a condom must have broken. I’m pregnant. The baby is yours. Thought that might interest you. Theo: Thanks for letting me know.

WHAT IS THIS RESPONSE

They might be dorks, but I’d have to be blind not to appreciate the things this getup does for a man’s ass.

Everyone is on and on about a man in a suit, but I can’t help but wonder if they’ve ever seen a man in Wranglers and chaps. Suit who?

I don’t know what kind of karma was working in my favor to make Summer put all the years of tension behind us so readily. And I still haven’t quite found the words to thank her for it.

“Man, Rhett can be really romantic sometimes.”

“Why are there six?” My nose wrinkles, mind still on the too-good-looking asshole bull rider down near the gate. Do I act normal? Kick him in the balls? Ignore him? “I don’t know, Winter. You’re the doctor here. How many hands do we have between us?”

Willa is my soulmate

But I’ve never gotten over how his reaction doesn’t match the man I thought I met that night. Sure, he was wild and carefree, but he felt like an old soul somehow. There was a gentleness in him.

I knew I’d see her again at some point, but this isn’t quite what I’d pictured.

“Why are you ignoring me?”

Omg he doesn't know?

“My mom loves it. When I was younger and lived with her, we watched it together every Thursday. Now, I watch it on my own and then call her so we can talk about it. It’s the only reason I still have cable.”

How cute

Maternity leave?

OH MY GOD HE REALLY DOESNT KNOW

Clearly that ship has sailed. She wanted this. And I should be happy for her. But in the wake of everything that’s gone down today, I don’t feel happy at all.

My head snaps to the men and I squint, realizing it’s Rhett with his hair tied up in some weird little bun.

Ugh hes so hot

“Winter is nice.” The sentence comes out with more force than intended, more than is appropriate for the situation. But I think I’ve felt protective of that woman since the first night I laid eyes on her.

I can’t help but smile. He and Summer are so damn good together.

Rhett wheezes out a laugh. “Do you know that dog gets boners randomly sometimes? Like he’ll just be sitting there and have his red rocket out.” “You’d be in the same boat if you couldn’t wear pants.”

Cackling

“What? His full name is Peter Pan.”

Omg :'(

Winter: Why is Theo Silva moving in next door? Who okayed this? You or Jasper? Sloane: Is it a problem? I didn’t even think you’d care. You guys got in that spat, what? A year and a half ago? Winter: Never mind. Sloane: Oh, shit.

My hand wraps around the knob, and with an aggressive tug, I yank the front door open and stare down into the second most beautiful set of brown eyes I’ve ever seen.

“Winter.” Now my name is him pleading with me. He’s panicking. Truly panicking. “Theo.” My hands shoot out and I hold his cheeks, forcing him to come to a standstill. I grip his skull, his stubble rough on my palms, his damp neck smooth under my fingertips. “Stop. Tell me three things you can hear.” His body heaves as he stares back at me. Moments pass. “Rain.” I nod. “Thunder.” I lick my lips. “Your finger rubbing the back of my head.” I swallow and press my opposite hand to his chest. His heart thunders beneath my palm. “Okay. Now three things you can see.” His eyes rake over me, and I don’t let go of his head. “Your white house. The stroller folded by the front door.” His voice cracks. I massage the back of his neck, trying to bring him back down. “You.”

Crying

And then we stand there. Two people who barely know each other. Staring down at our daughter. Him for the first time. And me for the millionth.

Something went wrong along the way. I’m not sure what, or where. All I know is the man in my bathroom would never have sent me that text.

My vision went blurry at the edges and my stomach turned over on itself as the realization that I have a child struck me down to my knees. A little girl. And I’ve missed so damn much.

“Wanna come sit in the living room?” Winter’s voice is smooth, calm. I’ve heard people call her icy, but I see a strong woman. One I admire even more now.

“What’s her name?” A watery laugh follows my question. “Please tell me you didn’t name her Autumn.”

Lol

He might be the only person in the world who would deem these messages “not important.”

Fuck that guy

Anxiety unfurls in my chest. I’m overwhelmed by the instinct to take this jumbled clusterfuck and untangle it. Make things as right as I can.

“If I had known, I’d have been here every step of the way. Supporting you in whatever way you needed. And Winter?” “Yeah?” For the first time tonight, her voice sounds weak.

“Now that I’m here? I’m here. Okay? No expectations, but I want you to let me help you. I want to get to know her if that’s okay with you.” She nods, and more tears fall. I bring my other hand up and try to catch them all, but I fail. They come too fast, so I pull her head against my chest and opt to let her soak my already damp shirt.

Seems like the least I can do for this woman after how thoroughly I’ve let her down.

Oh my God Theo :'(

I didn’t want to be disruptive, or overstep my bounds, but I wanted to sit on the floor of that nursery and stare at Vivienne for the entire night.

“It’s okay. I was just getting set up to do some restorative yoga. I can fix your problems while I make myself some green tea.”

I love his mom already

“Oh, is that little Peter?” Leave it to Rhett to ruin my dog’s name. Little Peter does distinctly sound like a penis. But I’m not about to tell my mom th— “God. Every time I say that dog’s name, I think of a dick.”

“Theo, honey, the question any good dad would ask himself now is: what are you going to do to make her feel less overwhelmed?”

Sloane: Should I kick him out? I’d kick him out for you. Winter: It’s fine. Sloane: Should I come back from vacation and beat him up? Winter: I would pay good money to watch you beat someone up. Sloane: Is that a yes or a no? Winter: Just don’t tell anyone. It’s his story to tell. Sloane: What story? I don’t even know what you’re talking about. Sloane: LMAO. See what I did there? Winter: Did Jasper fuck all the brain cells out of your head with his massive dick? Sloane: You love me. Winter: I do.

I love these people

Watching Theo hold Vivienne for the first time does a lot of things to me. First, it makes me want to hurl in much the same way he did last night. There’s something profoundly overwhelming about seeing his eyes latch onto hers while her small hand wraps around his finger. “Hi, baby girl,” he murmurs. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

The sweet cooing noise she makes back at him, like she’s an instant goner for this man, makes me want to cry.

Me too girl

Theo was already hot as fuck, and Theo holding a baby is even hotter. If he goes out in public with Vivienne, he’s going to get more pussy thrown at him than he already does.

“Look how beautiful you are.” The sun lights Theo and Vivienne’s faces in the same warm, golden hue. “You look just like your mom.”

Theo hums happily and smiles down at Vivienne. “Prime minister? Good for you, girl. I can’t wait to tell people my daughter is the prime minister.”

“Tink, please. I might not know you all that well, but I have a sinking suspicion that the future prime minister’s first word might be fuck.”

All my life, not a single person has prioritized how things might feel for me. And here is this man I barely know, prioritizing me.

Winter: He’s here. He knows. Sloane: How did he take it? Is that why we did a B&E? To get his number? Winter: Yup. Except someone else had his phone just to manage social media and never told him. Sloane: Shit. Are you okay? Winter: I’m taking a hot bath. Drinking a hot coffee. I’m in shock. But also heaven. Sloane: You deserve it. Winter: Do I? Sloane: Yes. Hot baths and a hot baby daddy. You deserve the world. Winter: He really is hot. Sloane: Hotter with a baby I bet. Winter: You have no idea.

“What makes you think I don’t want this?”