Page 60 of Daddy to Go

I squinted at the beautiful girl.

“But why? It seems so random.”

Abby took another deep breath as tears sprang to her eyes.

“I know, right? She’s never even met you, but evidently, my sister’s had it out for me for a long time. She’s jealous of me for some crazy reason that doesn’t even make sense and wanted to hurt me. When I confronted her, let’s just say it didn’t end well. But what matters is that I was able to find the letter and read it. And Ryder, I’ve missed you so much.”

Hope bloomed in my chest.

“Do you think you can forgive me, Abby? I know it’s a lot to ask, but it would mean the world to me. You and the baby are my world now, and I want to make sure you know it.”

Tears bloomed in Abby’s eyes as she bit her lip.

“I’m not sure, Ryder. I think so, but I can’t say for certain right now because everything is so messed up. With you coming back out of nowhere, this letter, and then the fight with my sister, I literally don’t know what to think anymore. My emotions are on overload, and I feel like I can’t even trust myself to make a decision.”

I reached out and took her other hand, looking her deep in the eyes.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. No matter what happens, even if you never want to see me again, I want you to know that things are going to be fine for you and the child. I want you to know that I’m willing to turn my life upside down to be with you and Matthew. In fact, I resigned from the agency that handles my assignments because I need to see my son more.”

Abby looked up, completely shocked. “What? Ryder, that’s your job. What are you going to do then? Stay here in Farmington? Work at the hospital here?”

I shrugged.

“I guess so. I don’t know yet. I’ve talked to the hospital and they could definitely use some help, but nothing is for certain. It doesn’t matter though because what matters are you and Mattie. My son should know his father, and I’m going to provide for him the way a father should.”

Tears streaked down Abby’s cheeks.

“But what about all that stuff about seeing the world? Traveling and whatnot? Are you really well and done with that?”

I took a deep breath.

“Yes, I think so. During this past year, nothing really had meaning anymore. I did the things I always did: drove my car, took road trips, practiced medicine, and went out. But I didn’t care. It was like I was numb, and nothing made sense without you there with me. I want you to know, Abby - I’m thinking of starting a practice here in Farmington. I talked to my friend Colleen McNamara and she told me that the town is small and could really use another physician. She said that sometimes her patients wait a month just to get in to see her for a cold. So maybe I’ll open my own practice and put down roots.”

Abby looked absolutely shocked.

“Roots? Wait, what? You can open an office by yourself?” she asked. “I mean, of course it’s possible, but I thought you never wanted the responsibility.”

I nodded my head.

“I didn’t for a long time. But things change, sweetheart, and that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Nothing is set in stone, except for the fact that I love you, and I love our son. I’m going to do whatever it takes to be a part of Mattie’s life, and even if you never want to see me again, then I’m sorry. But somehow, we’ll co-parent successfully. I know we can do it, Abby, because you’re an amazing woman who deserves the best.”

With that, her tears overflowed.

“I love you Ryder,” she said in a low voice. “You are everything to me as well, but I just need some time to get things figured out, okay? It feels like I’m being hit on all sides with so many new developments that it’s hard for me to even think straight. But I appreciate the sacrifices you’re willing to make, and the changes to your life. We will figure out a way.”

With that, hope blossomed in my chest and I gathered the curvy girl into my arms. She resisted at first, but then I pulled her close, resting my chin on those soft brown curls.

“We’ll find a way, sweetheart. The world was against you before, but now, you always have me on your side. You hear that, sweetheart? You’re not alone anymore. You have me now.”

With that, Abby’s shaking settled a bit, and she let out a big, trembling exhale. Meanwhile, I pulled her even closer, and my own eyes felt heavy with tears because we came so close to losing it all, but instead, now we’re on our way to becoming a family in full.

31

Abby

Ican’t believe that Ryder loves me. It felt like one of those chick flicks I had been immersing myself in for the last year. Miraculously, an amazingly handsome man had fallen hard for me, and he changed who he was to be with me. Who could have predicted this? But I still had something to say to Ryder.

“Ryder, I want you to know that I never meant to keep Mattie away from you. I just literally couldn’t find you. I searched and asked everyone, calling around, and trying to figure out the best way to get a hold of you. If I could have afforded a private investigator, I would’ve gotten one of those. But there was just no way to find you.”