I pursed my lips and thought for a second. “No. No, I think that covers it.”
THE DOOR OPENED and Layton smiled. “Hey, Walker. What are you doing here? Is everything okay?” Layton reached out his hand as I shook it and walked into the house.
“Yeah, um, yes sir. It’s all um, it’s all good. Fine and dandy. Yep.” I lifted my hands up and said, “All good here.”
Layton stared at me as I babbled on like a scared little boy. He turned and headed into the living room as I sighed and rolled my eyes at myself. Idiot.
“Have a seat, son.” Layton said.
I sat down and looked around nervously. It felt like I was in high school all over again, asking to take a girl out. Except, this time, I was asking to marry that girl and, oh yeah, I’d gotten her pregnant, and she was giving up her dreams for me. I felt sick.
Layton crossed one leg over the other as he smiled at me. He was enjoying this. I could see it on his face.
“So, what’s up?”
What’s up? That’s how the conversation is going to start?
I went to speak, but nothing would come out. “Um…”
Layton raised an eyebrow. He shook his head. “Son, if you’re trying to ask for permission to marry my daughter, you’d better spit it out. Dallas is about to kick off, and I don’t want to miss it.”
My mouth gaped open and I sat there frozen. But soon I found my senses—and my balls. “Yes, sir. I’d like permission to marry Liza.”
Layton put his leg down and rested his arms on his legs. “Walker Reed Moore. I love you like a son. I always have, and I always will. I see how you look at my daughter. I think I saw it before you even knew how you felt. The only thing I ask is that you always put her first.”
I nodded.
“You treat her with the respect she deserves and you love her and your kids with your whole heart.”
When Layton mentioned kids I almost choked on my own spit. “Yes, sir. Always. Liza means more to me than the air I breathe. I love her so much…it scares me.”
Layton’s expression softened. “Isn’t love amazing?” He asked just above a whisper.
“Yes it is. It really is.”
Layton stood and clapped his hands together. “Come on, I have some cold beer and a pizza with our name on it. Let’s get our football on.”
I smiled, stood up, and walked toward the kitchen. Layton slapped the hell out of my back and started laughing. The rest of the afternoon was spent with us drinking, eating, and yelling at the refs for bad calls.
When Liza and her mom came home, Layton and I were both pretty toasted. It was four football games, three six-packs, and one pizza later.
Liza was beaming as she looked between her father and me. Whitley had her hands on her hips and I couldn’t help but chuckle. Liza did the same thing when she was mad.
“Layton Morris. Did you get Walker drunk?” Whitley asked.
Liza came over and sat down next to me. She gave me a questioning look, and I nodded a ‘yes.’ Her eyes filled with tears and I looked away. Liza was so emotional—at least now I knew it was because of the pregnancy. I glanced up at Whitley who had a goofy look on her face as she smiled at me. I smiled back. Whitley turned and left the room. I glanced back to Liza and gave her a look. I whispered, “Does your mom know about the baby?”
She instantly blushed and nodded. “She knew! It was weird!”
We both laughed as I pulled her down next to me. “Shit, I’m drunk.”
“You’re not driving home, son. You can stay in Jase’s room.” Layton said as Liza squeezed my hand. Oh, hell. I know what she was thinking.
An hour later and Liza was helping me up the stairs. I was drunker than I’d thought and Layton was standing at the bottom of the stairs laughing at me.
“Lightweight!”
I fell onto Jase’s bed and moaned as Liza crawled on top of me and started grinding against me. I opened my eyes to see her grabbing her breasts over her top.
I shook my head. “Nope, not happening in your parent’s house.”
She stopped moving and looked at me. “What?”
I pushed her off and rolled over. The last thing I heard was Liza saying, “Walker Reed Moore. I’m so getting you back for this.”
I LEANED AGAINST the kitchen counter and watched my mother. She was so beautiful. Her brown hair was piled on top of her head and she was humming a song. I thought back to the other day. We’d been shopping in Austin when she pulled me aside.
“TAYLOR ELIZABETH MORRIS. Are you pregnant?”
My jaw dropped. I looked everywhere but at her. “What? I mean, why would you ask me that, Mom?”
She placed a finger on my chin, forcing me to look at her. Her eyes widened in and she gasped. “Oh my goodness. Liza.”
My eyes filled with tears and she pulled me in for a hug. “Mom, I’m so scared.”
She ran her hand along my back and chuckled. “Oh, darling, no. Don’t be scared. This is amazing, darling.” She pulled back. “Does Walker know?”
I nodded. “He’s over the moon, but upset that I won’t be teaching this spring.”
My mother’s smile faded briefly. “Well, I guess you’ll to be working for your father a little longer than you thought.”
I giggled. I’d been working for my father since coming home from college, keeping track of all the vet records for the horses and few other items Reed and Daddy thought would be good for me to learn. Jase didn’t want anything to do with the business side of the ranch, so I guess that fell to me. I didn’t want to admit it to anyone, but I loved it. I loved the idea of seeing my parents every day, and working with Walker.
“I really like working for Dad and Reed, mom. More than I thought.”
She smiled and shook her head. “Have you gone to the doctor yet?”
I shook my head. “No, not yet. I was hoping you and Courtney would go with us.”
She hugged me again, tighter. “Yes, I’d like nothing more.”
MY MOTHER CLEARED her throat. “Liza? Honey, are you listening to me?”
“Yep, sorry. I was lost in thought.”
She laughed and said, “Nothing new there.”
I sighed and said, “I think Walker bought the ring yesterday.”
My mother spun around and gasped. “What makes you say that?”
I pulled out the seat to the kitchen table and saw my mom’s Kindle sitting there. “What are you reading?” I asked.