It's A Reality

Valiant's POV

"Sweetheart?" I heard Papa calling out to me. "Where did you go? I have been here for over ten minutes, watching you. Are you okay?"

The memories were pushed back to the dark recesses of my mind as I dropped my eyes to my feet. I don't want him to see me like this his face reminded me of the one I wanted to hold.

"Listen darling, it doesn't look like you two have reconciled. I'm gonna take Buddy and the guys out hunting for a few hours. Madre has Regal, and you should take that time and head into town."

"The guys?" I stammered.

I hadn't seen them in well over a year and hadn't spoken to them in about four months when they called to congratulate me on having the baby. I missed them so much, especially Todd.

"Yeah, they got in a few days ago but had some things to sort out with Reece. They are staying a few more days. Maybe you'll see them before you ship." He earnestly replied, not knowing that I needed their support to help me. It was strange that Todd hadn't at least texted me.

"Papa?" I asked, "do you think he'll ever forgive me?"

He took off his hat, which is how I know he was serious and affectionate. "Yes, he'll forgive you, but it'll take him some time, so hang in there."

Papa kissed my forehead and nose, and then he hugged me. "Don't worry, he loves you too much to not want you back."

"Okay, Papa, I trust you. Have a good hunt."

We both stood and went in different directions. I saw Reece standing at the back of his pickup truck, loading guns and other equipment into the bed. He never looked my way, but I could tell he knew I was there by the way his jaw tightened.

I made my way to Madre, who was lying down on the bed with Regal in the nursery. Reece and I hadn't laid down together in that bed with our son yet, and I was hoping we could this trip. It would be a first.

"Madre, I'm going to go out into town to do a little shopping. Do you need anything?" I was whispering so as not to wake up the cute little boy next to her.

She lazily shook her head and blew me a kiss. It was her way of saying I love you.

I pulled on my cowboy boots and threw on my cattlemen style hat that Papa gifted me when I first arrived at the ranch. I had straightened my hair again, so it hung down my back to the top of my butt in soft cascades of brown and natural medium brown low lights.

Deciding to wear some cut-off denim shorts and a loose-fitting blue plaid vest with a snug white tank underneath, I made the look work. I slung across my body a brown leather saddle bag purse and spun slowly in the mirror.

My baby fat had already melted off, and I was back to pre-pregnacy weight and muscle tone. Maybe if he saw me, he would remember his desire for me. I emptied out of the room and went to the garage.

I chose to drive the G-Wagen today as it was rugged, luxurious, and spacious, and I enjoyed being lifted off the ground. It was matte gray in color. That choice was his, but I'm sure it was indicative of our situation.

Reece thought I needed an upgrade from the car Ro had given me when I was a senior in high school. He also said that it was off-road capable. I personally think he wanted to show off to his former friend that he could do better for me.

Coming to terms with his level of pettiness took some time. It's a reality that had begun to extend to me, and I despised it so much that I almost lashed out at him in frustration more than a few times over the last several days.

Getting into town was easy, it was about thirty minutes from the house, and the day was full of activities as people walked about doing what felt good.

I went into one of the baby stores to get some things for Regal that I thought he could use. Perusing the racks, I heard the sound of the safety on a gun click behind me and hard metal dug into my shoulder. Then, a sultry voice followed, making the hairs in my body stand at attention.

"I can't believe my luck! How is it that you're always where you're not supposed to be?" Her voice irritated me to no end, and I just knew she wasn't going to let me off easily.

"I would say it's a pleasant surprise, but I'm not pleased. What do you want now, Lettie? You got what you said you wanted."

The grit in my voice rose up like a dust storm threatening to sandblast this worthless bịtch back to the hell she came from.

Her dark laughter came with a cynical retort.

"Yeah, I figured you'd be hard pressed to live and let live. Bygones should be just that... but you're still bitter."

"Funny how you say that yet, you've got the gun in my back..." The snide remark left my lips while my mind reminded me of the danger.

She inched toward my ear, knocking my hat off just a little, "Let's take a walk. We'll let Shields know I'm here soon enough. I'm sure he had a bone to pick with me."

I dropped the clothes into my cart and walked whichever direction she nudged me to with my hands down by my side, swinging as natural as possible.

"Lettie, please, my son is at home. Please don't do this."

She led me to a darkly tinted, navy colored SUV, and a man in casual clothing opened the door for us. Being pushed in, I found a young girl holding a little baby boy bouncing him on her knee.

"You think I care that you've got a son? I've got one too. Can you guess where his father is? You and your beau dismantled my future. I'm here for my pounds of flesh."

Closing the door herself, she slapped my face, and the baby started to cry when i whimpered. "Where is he? He needs to know I got his brownie now."

"If I don't come back soon enough, he will know Lettie. You know him. He won't take it lightly and his parents, well, when you meet them, it'll be worse than a curse. They don't play about their kids."

No sooner than I said this, did she slip a dark cover over my head. The car started, and we sped off. I had no idea where she was taking me, although I tried counting stops and turns, but it was useless, I didn't know the area well enough.

We came to a stop, and everyone got down from the vehicle, I was pulled mercilessly down until I stumbled, almost rolling my ankle. The temperature changed from hot to cold as we entered into what felt like a warehouse or some type of industrial type house. It was wide open and echoed with any noise made.

"Valiant, you're still young, so naive and too trusting. My husband didn't really want you. You were just a means to an end, and Reece doesn't want you either."

My head turned in the direction of her voice, but I was still just as blind. Someone stepped closer to me, and I heard bullets being loaded into a revolver. It's better to use if one doesn't want jamming. Reece had taught me a lot about guns.

I remained calm as I began to spin my diamond promise ring. I hope what she said isn't true, I never wanted anyone more than I wanted, Reece, and I needed him to take me back.

"Juan, get her a cot. She'll be our guest tonight. Tie her hands to the front. We need to see all her movements. Her beau is a clever man. He was indeed one of the best."