Saving You (Love Wanted in Texas #2)(56)
Author: Kelly Elliott

Grace started jumping up and down. “Oh my God!” Running over she placed her hands on Libby’s stomach. I watched as tears began to build in my baby sister’s eyes. “I’m going to be an aunt?” Turning to me she wiped a tear away. “I’m so glad you didn’t wrap your stick!”

I tossed my head back and laughed. “Me too, Sweet Pea. Me too.”

I PARKED THE truck and looked over at Libby. She was either wringing her hands together or biting her nails. “Lib. It’s all right.”

Placing her hands on her stomach, she began to cry. “They’re going to hate me. I failed at being a good daughter. I got myself knocked up halfway through college.” Her hands came up and buried her faced as her body jerked from sobs.

“Libby. Please look at me.”

Dropping her hands, she turned her face and looked at me. The look she was giving me reminded me of how Grace used to look at my parents when they lectured her in high school.

“Are you happy?”

Sucking in her top lip and jetting out her lower lip she nodded her head.

“I’m happy too. This is our miracle baby. Don’t ever forget that.”

Nodding her head, she spoke above a whisper. “I won’t. I promise.”

I slapped my hands together and jumped out of the truck. I jogged around the front and over to Libby’s side. Opening the door I looked down at her T-shirt. I smiled as I read it.

My daddy’s swimmers are strong.

Glancing down, I looked at my T-shirt. Grabbing Libby’s hand I led her to the front door. We had asked to talk to our parents and they informed us they were over at Gunner and Ellie’s place getting ready for the barbecue later this afternoon. Libby and I were heading back to A&M so that I could take summer classes and our parents wanted to have a get-together with everyone. With how I had busted my ass in school and with taking classes this summer, I was going to be able to graduate this December.

I knocked and opened the door. I peeked down at Libby and smiled. We made our way through the living room and into the kitchen. Ellie, Heather and my mother were all standing at the island. Each with their hands in something they were making. My father, Josh, and Gunner were across the kitchen. Gunner was sitting at the table husking corn. Josh was leaning against a counter with my father standing next to him.

Smiling, I turned to face them. My father looked over as he was lifting his beer to his mouth. The rim stopped at his lips as I watched his eyes read my shirt. He dropped his beer some and shot me a dirty look.

Libby hugged and kissed Heather before turning and kissing Ellie and then my mother on the cheek. She came up beside me and whispered, “Here we go. Your dad sees your shirt.”

Glancing down, I looked at my T-shirt again. My swimmers are strong.

I turned my head away and leaned to whisper in Libby’s ear. “He thinks it’s a joke.”

Libby turned and looked at me. Her hot breathe hitting my face and causing my dick to come to attention. Jesus. Even in a room filled with our parents, she turns me on.

“What? Why would he think—oh!” Libby said as she giggled.

“Hey, baby girl.” Libby and I both snapped our heads up as Josh came walking up to Libby. He slowed down and read her T-shirt out loud.

“My daddy has strong swimmers?” Josh looked up at Libby. “That’s not cool at all. Lib, I don’t think I like that T-shirt.” Stopping in front of us, Josh stood there looking at Libby and down to the shirt. Turning, Josh pointed to my father. “Your damn T-shirt ways have rubbed off on my daughter.”

Gunner laughed and shook his head. “Remember the beaver T-shirt?”

Josh turned and faced Gunner and they both laughed. I took a look at my father who was still staring at me. I leaned slightly over to Libby. “They all think it’s a joke and your dad thinks your shirt is talking about him.”

“Ew,” Libby said in a whisper.

I looked into my father’s eyes and gave him a smile. It didn’t take long for him to figure out what our T-shirts meant. I held my breath. Glancing over I noticed Gunner stopped laughing when he looked at my dad. Turning back to look at Libby and me, a smile grew across Gunner’s face. “Josh, you still like whiskey?” Gunner asked.

Josh laughed. “Hell, I haven’t had whiskey in a long time.”

Looking up at Josh, Gunner said, “You’re fixin’ to need some.”

Libby grabbed my hand. I wanted to drop her hand ‘cause it was all sweaty from her being nervous, but I held onto it. Closing my eyes I took in a deep breath and glanced back over to my dad. He pushed off the counter and walked toward Libby and me. He stopped in front of Libby and searched her face. The slow smile caused me to let out the breath I was holding. “Just tell me one thing.”

Libby sniffled next to me. I knew she was scared to death. “Anything.”

“I’m not really going to be called Pappy, am I?”

Libby started laughing. “You can be called anything you want.”

Josh walked up. His mouth was gaped open. Libby’s smile faded and tears streamed down her eyes. “Daddy, please don’t be disappointed in me. I couldn’t take it if you were.”

A tear escaped the corner of Josh’s eye and he shook his head. “Isabella, I could never be disappointed in you. Do I wish it was years later? Yes, but I’m certainly not disappointed in you.”

“Are you angry with me?” Libby asked as she squeezed my hand.

Reaching up with his hands, Josh wiped Libby’s tears away with this thumbs. “Are you happy, baby?”

She nodded her head and whispered, “Very.”

Josh pulled her into his arms and Libby began crying. “I love you, Daddy.”

Grinning, my father reached out and pulled me to him. “Is this the reason for summer school? Graduating in December?” Pulling back, he looked into my eyes. “Yes, sir. The sooner I can start working, the sooner I can get a place for us.”

“What in the world is going on with y’all?” my mother asked as she walked over. I turned around and saw Heather watching Josh and Libby. My mother was looking at Josh and Libby also before she looked at me. “Is everything okay? Why is Josh crying? He never cries.”

My father walked up to my mother as Heather made her way over to Libby and Josh. “Do you know you are going to be the hottest grandma around?”

My mother chuckled and then looked at me as her eyes moved down and read my T-shirt. Her hands came up to her mouth and I watched as tears filled her eyes as she shook her head. “Mom, she’s our little miracle.”