Big Sky Eyes (27 page)

Chapter 43

The man was as tall as he was thin with a long, pointed nose
and a smattering of dark freckles on both cheeks. He folded his arms across his
chest and rocked back and forth from one foot to the other as he spoke with a
wide smile and a pleasant voice. Mackenna wanted to bash his face in. Why was
he standing there talking about physical therapy and dizziness instead of
checking on her baby?

“Doctor,” she said harshly, interrupting his flow of medical
advice. “I need to know about my baby.”

“Oh, yeah!” he said, throwing his arms in the air as if he’d
forgotten that she was supposed to be pregnant. He moved to a nearby counter
and grabbed a handheld, square monitor with what looked to be a tiny microphone
attached to it. He squirted a light pink gel on the tip of it and made his way
back to Mackenna, asking her to pull her shirt up for him. When her belly was
bared, he warned with a grin.

“This is gonna be a little cold.”

She bit back her rude retort and held her breath as he moved
the wand around her belly. All that greeted them was a crinkly static. The
doctor stared off into space with pursed and determined lips as he applied more
gel and searched a wider area. Mackenna felt the tears gathering behind her
eyes at the silence and she held onto Brent’s good hand as she shut her eyes
and prayed.
 

The doctor sighed in defeat with a sad shake of his head
just before the wand moved across an area where a tiny hiccup thumped against
it. He pressed deeper in the area until he was finally met with what sounded
like a deep whoosh against the monitor. He moved a little to the left and the
whooshes sped up. He continued to inch closer to the sound until a strong and
repeated thud paced through the otherwise quiet room.

Mackenna’s eyes flew open and looked pleadingly up at the
doctor. His face broke into a wide grin.

“There it is,” he announced. “Strong and steady as it should
be.”

Finally, she allowed herself to breathe and was only able to
suck in two large gulps before she lost herself in sobs and tears. Brent’s arms
flew around her neck as they cried into each other’s embrace, spilling all of
the fear and anxiety that gathered. Mackenna soon found that she was smiling as
salty tears dripped onto her swollen lips. Her sobs turned to laughter until
Brent followed suit. In that moment, she felt no pain anywhere in her body. She
felt only relief and joy, love and thankfulness.

The doctor silently slipped out of the room.

Brent shifted his arm in the sling until he found a more
comfortable position. Mackenna snuggled closer to his other side. They relaxed
against her mother’s soft sofa cushions and let the fire warm their bodies. The
investigation uncovered that Rick had been sleeping in her parents’ shed since
she’d moved back home after college. They found a trove of trinkets and
belongings of hers that he had gathered. They found an entire ring of keys that
he kept for her parents’ home, her apartment in Reno, the apartment she and
Brent had shared, as well as keys to each of their vehicles.

They were also introduced to Rick’s parents, which was a
shock to Mackenna, since he had told her early on in their relationship that
his parents were dead. They lived respectable lives in Reno and spoke to
Mackenna of Rick’s troubled teenage years. He had been in and out of juvenile
detention for everything from theft to drugs.

They had been so pleased when he decided to go to college,
hoping that he was growing out of his bad habits. They soon discovered that
he’d been paying students to complete homework and tests for him, and they’d
kicked him out of their house, hoping that being on his own would help him grow
up. He had never spoken to them again.

They claimed that he had always been extremely emotional and
impulsive, feeling each wrong done to him in the depth of his soul while turning
a blind eye to his own accountability. He had been witty and clever and had an
unmatched mind for remembering details. They believed him full of potential,
but also unstable enough that it could be used for good or bad. In the end,
they were full of sorrow and regret, blaming their own failure as parents for
his death.

Brent’s gunshot wound was healing quickly and without
complaint though it jarred him to think how close he had been to death that
night. He stared at the yellow booties he had just given to Mackenna. She
smiled softly as she fit one tiny sock onto the tip of her finger.

Her facial bruises and cuts were healing nicely, but the
back pain lingered. They had chosen not to go back to living in the apartment
and were staying with her parents until they decided their future. The events
of the past month had put everything into perspective for Mackenna, and there
was no doubt whatsoever what mattered most to her.

“Thank God the baby is all right,” she said with relief.

Brent ran his fingers through her hair and massaged her
head. “Thank God we’re all okay.”

“If Rick were a better shot,” she began and then shook her
head against the implication.

“He was a good shot,” Brent said. “I dropped these little
things on the ground. He shot just as I bent to pick them up. If he would have
shot a second earlier, he would have gotten my heart, not my shoulder.”

Mackenna shuddered and moved closer to him.

“I think someone was watching out for you,” she said and he
smiled softly, imagining his mother playing guardian angel.

“I’m glad it’s over,” she continued sadly. “I’m sorry that
he had to die, but I’m glad that we don’t have to worry anymore.”

He kissed the top of her head and let her warmth spread
through his body. They sat quietly for several long moments, savoring the peace
enveloping them.

“Let’s go back to Montana,” she said almost in a whisper.

“Montana?” he echoed, surprised. “What about California and
vet school?”

She sighed and then sat up to face him.

“All of my life I’ve been rushing, rushing to finish high
school, rushing through college, rushing to get my life started. Now that I
have you and the baby, I don’t want to rush anymore. Vet school will always be
there, but these moments may not be. There are plenty of vet schools in
Montana, when the time is right. The only thing that matters to me is you and
our child. I know how much you love your home.”

He lost himself in her eyes, and when he thought of
everything she’d given him, everything she meant to him, he felt no love or
longing for Montana. The only placed he felt pulled to was her side. He held
her face gently in his free hand, massaging her temple with his thumb.

“My home is wherever you are, Mackenna,” he answered. “Besides,
I see Montana every day. Right here in your big sky eyes.”

Epilogue

Sass whickered as Mackenna planted a kiss on the soft spot
in between her nostrils and scratched beneath her chin. Bev and Grant McCrae
leaned on the wooden beam of the round corral fence and smiled as Mackenna began
leading the horse around in a slow walk. The petite four-year-old on the
horse’s bare back squealed as she clutched two tiny fistfuls of mane.

“Not too tight,” Mackenna warned gently. “You don’t want to
hurt Sass.”

“Mommy, when can I ride Sass across the meadow like you?”

“Oh, you’re going to have to get a little bigger before that,
honey.”

The child frowned and brushed a branch of thick, white-blonde
curls back over her shoulder. “You always let me ride Buddy by myself,” she
argued. “Everyone says I’m good with him.”

“And you are,” her mother answered. “But Sass is special.
She needs to be handled differently. Don’t worry. Sass will be around for a
long time yet. When you’re older, she’ll be waiting for you.”

“Well, I
am
almost
five,” she bargained and Mackenna laughed.

“Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up, Alora,” she said.
“It’s already happening too fast.”

The child forgot her next protest as her attention was
called toward the approaching couple. She sat up taller, her bright blue eyes
sparkling as she waved frantically and split her face in a happy grin.

“Uncle Ty! Uncle Ty! Look! I’m riding Sass!”

Ty and Leslie laughed as they flanked Bev and Grant on the
fence.

“You sure are, Little Pearl,” Ty answered.
“Doing a mighty fine job, too!”

Every adult there knew without a doubt that little Alora was
hopelessly smitten with Ty. Though she’d been around him since she was born,
sometime during the previous year she’d developed a child’s crush and had eyes
for no one else if he was around. At first, this had stirred a tiny jealousy in
Brent, but Mackenna reassured him that she would always be daddy’s little girl.
Of course, Ty took advantage of every opportunity to tease Brent about it.

As twin beams of light crested the hill of road and pierced
the falling dusk around the Slanted S, Mackenna turned with a bright smile. She
felt a sudden twinge in her back and she leaned her weight back to stretch it
out and used her free hand to massage the area until it subsided.
 
When the SUV pulled right up to the round
corral and Helen and David Sorenson stepped out of the passenger seats, Alora
squealed.

“Grandma Helen!
Papa David!”

Without a thought or care she leapt from the back of Sass
right into Ty’s arms, springing open to catch her before she hit the fence. All
women present gasped and Mackenna placed a hand over her heart to control the
pounding.

“Good God, girl! You are going to give me a heart attack!”

Alora sprinted toward her grandparents and jumped right into
Helen’s embrace. David grabbed the girl next and spun her around with a
grunting bear hug.

“Did you bring me anything?” Alora asked expectantly.

David feigned a disappointed frown. “What kind of a question
is that?” he barked playfully, but Alora didn’t budge. Her smile widened and
her eyes narrowed in a way that told her grandfather that she knew he was
teasing. So, he gave in and tossed her in the air, catching her as she
squealed.

“Of course we did,” he exclaimed. “But you’ll only get it if
you’ve been a good girl helping out your mama.”

“I have,” she reassured, nodding erratically before turning
to face her mother. “Haven’t I, Mommy?”

Mackenna crossed her arms and leaned against the fence while
Sass rested her head on her shoulder.

“I don’t know,” she drawled. “What was that about jumping
off of Sass like that?”

Alora frowned. “I was just excited.”

“I know, but you remember my rules, right?”

She nodded solemnly and apologized.

“Okay,” Mackenna chirped. “I guess you can have your present
then.” The child’s face lit up. “As long as you run inside and wash up for
dinner first.”

“Okay!” Alora called and leapt from her Papa’s arms and
bolted for the house.

“Hey! What about me?” Brent called, emerging from the driver's
side of the vehicle and Alora slid to a stop.

“Sorry, Daddy,” she said with a laugh as she ran to him and
let him scoop her up in his arms. They hugged and rubbed the tips of their
noses together and Mackenna smiled at this common show of affection they
shared. He released her back to the ground and sent her toward the house.

Mackenna removed Sass’s halter and left the corral just as
Brent made his way to her side and looped an arm around her, planting a soft
kiss on her lips.

“How was the photo shoot?” she asked.

“Good. I’m glad the Division decided to do this segment on
fly fishing. I think I got some really nice action shots. How are you feeling?”

“Fine,” she answered. “Just tired, and my back is bothering
me.”

“Want me to carry you?” he asked and she chuckled.

“I’m way too heavy for you,” she said.

He snorted then hoisted her pregnant-and-overdue body into
his arms effortlessly. Mackenna wanted to protest, but the truth was that it
felt marvelous being off of her feet and in his arms, so she relaxed and rested
her head on his shoulder as he led them all into the lodge. He set her down on
the couch and Alora was back in action, bounding into her grandmother’s arms
again.

“Are you here because Mommy’s a doctor now or are you
waiting to meet my brother?”

“Both, sweetheart,” Helen answered. “Are you ready to be a
big sister?”

“Oh, yeah,” Alora answered confidently. “I’m going to be the
best big sister in the world.”

“I believe you will be. Now, go find your papa and see what he
has for you.”

Helen made her way to the chair beside Mackenna.

“How’re you doing, Macks?”

“Ready to pop.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re still pregnant,” she teased. “I
missed the birth of the last one. I told your father that even if I have to
camp out here for another two weeks I am
not
going to miss this one. Are you sure you’re up for walking at the graduation
ceremony?”

“I don’t think I’m going to have to worry about that,”
Mackenna answered calmly. “I won’t be going to the ceremony this weekend.”

“Why not?”
Helen asked. “You’ve
worked so hard. How could you not go to your own graduation?”

Mackenna ignored her mother’s question and instead called
out to Bev.

“How much did you pay for this couch?”

Bev approached with a curious look on her face. “I don’t
know, Mackenna. That thing is ancient. Why?”

“I’ll give you two hundred bucks for it.”

“Why do you want that old thing?”

“Because I’ve just ruined it.”

“What do you mean?”

“My water just broke on it.”

A thick silence descended on the room as everyone thought about
what she’d just said. Ty, Grant and David looked at each other with panic in
their eyes. Leslie gasped excitedly and covered her mouth with her hands. Bev
and Helen exchanged excited grins. Brent and Mackenna stared at each other with
deep love in their eyes and Alora bounced her gaze from one face to the next
until she couldn’t hold back any longer.

“What’s everybody staring for?”

The innocent question broke the tension and everyone
laughed. Ty scooped her up in his arms.

“Come on with me, Little Pearl,” he said. “You,
me
, Grandpa Grant and Papa David are going to hang out in
the loft above the stables tonight. Your baby brother is on his way!”

“How come Daddy gets to stay?” she asked with a pout.

Brent went to her and nuzzled her affectionately.

“Because Alora,” he answered. “Your mama needs me. Besides, I
was the first one to hold you when you were born.
 
I plan to be the first one to hold your
brother.”

“Can I be the second?” she asked excitedly. Brent looked at
Mackenna to answer and she nodded.

“Of course you can, honey.”

“Yes!” she hissed, holding her hands in triumphant fists as
she left with the rest of the men.

“I’m sorry Bev,” Mackenna called as Bev went into the
kitchen to boil some water. “I’m sure this is not what you had in mind when you
invited us over for a graduation dinner.”

“Oh, honey, this is better,” she answered cheerfully. “I
delivered all my babies in this home. I delivered little Alora. Truth is
,
I was feeling kind of sad that I wasn’t going to be the
one to deliver this youngin’ once you guys moved two hours away and got
yourselves another midwife. So, trust me, this is better!”

Mackenna smiled and squeezed her mother’s hand as she rose
to help Bev and Leslie with the preparations. Brent knelt beside her and put a
hand behind her head, bringing her face to his for a kiss.

“How can I make you more comfortable?” he asked.

Mackenna was caught in the grip of a hard contraction and
leaned her head back against his hand and closed her eyes, concentrating on her
breathing. When the pain faded away, she panted for more air and grabbed his
free hand, holding it tight.

“Just don’t let go,” she breathed.

“Never.”

From the Author

Thank you for reading the story of Brent and Mackenna.
Though not my first novel it is by far the one closest to my heart. I believe
every author pulls from his or her life experiences to really tap into the
emotional side of storytelling and in this book I have offered you a piece of
my heart and youth. I encourage you to leave a review on Amazon.

If you enjoyed this glimpse into the often overlooked beauty
of Northern Nevada I invite you to travel back into the bustling days of its
birth in my novel
Silver Nights
With
You
. The days of
the great Comstock Lode discovery whipped the western frontier into
a frenzy
where eyes burned with lust for riches. Throw in a
greenhorn debutante, a gorgeous miner, a smooth talking schemer and saddle them
with robberies, lynching and a cave-in and you're sure to enjoy one wild ride!

Read on for an excerpt and be sure to check out my website
to purchase this or any of my other published works or follow my blog for more
news and information. Thanks again!

http://sawyerbelle.com

http://sayitsawyer.wordpress.com/