Page 55 of Rumor Has It

“See you soon, love you.” She hangs up, leaving me in limbo.

My mind races with every situation that might occur going to this place. I grip the wheel when my lungs seize. Sweat beads on my forehead as I battle the sharp pains in my gut.

“Don’t do it; it’s not worth all of this.” No sooner do the words cross my lips that I feel a tug in the middle of my chest. A pull akin to a magnet. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt.

Without further thought, I turn the car toward the garage. The closer I get, the greater the intense yearning there is in the center of my chest. It’s as though my soul is searching for something.

“What the fuck?” I grumble. “Get ahold of yourself! You were already told, Ridge runs the one in town.” A chill runs down my back, causing me to shiver. I catch my breath, turning into the lot. “You’re alright, calm down.”

I sit, staring up at the sign, fighting my fears and anger. Dragging a slow, steady breath into my desolate lungs, I grab the handle and step from the car. My feet feel as though they weigh a hundred pounds each.

I pause at the door, blowing out the air I’ve been holding. Pushing the door open, I step inside. The place looks great, total fifties throwback with black and white checker floors.

“May I help you?” A light, airy voice wafts across the room, bringing a smile to my face. I turn to find a little girl with wavy chestnut colored hair and the prettiest brown eyes.

I glance around the room. “Excuse me? Are you speaking to me?”

“I’m assuming you need a tune-up and oil change for the ’68, probably high mileage. Right?” Her eyes flicker from me to the car and back.

There’s a vibration deep inside me growing with intensity, creeping to the surface as recognition brings old resentment to a boil. “How did you know that?”

“The question should probably be, why didn’t you?” She quirks her brow, straightening her books of Popular Mechanic and Knowing the Law as it Applies to Entertainment and Sports .

A seismic movement in my chest reflects that of tectonic plates, throwing me off balance. I step back, steadying myself. The longer I study her, there’s no doubt in me. I clasp my chest, holding myself together.

“I-I’m not sure.” I force the words from my mouth, leaving my lungs burning for air.

She holds her pencil, peering up at me. “Your name?”

“Boone.” I croak. “Boone Hatcher.” A war rages between my heart and mind, knowing with everything in me, I should say… I might be your dad. But I can’t bring myself to do it. Not yet.

“Mr. Hatcher, you can have a seat and I’ll let them know you’re here.” She points to the chairs across the room from us.

I can’t move. I’m rooted to this spot, reeling exactly the same way I did when her mother told me she was expecting her. “You are?”

“Rumor.” She smiles sweetly, just like her mother at this age, or am I imagining this whole thing? When her mouth opens again, I’m left with no doubt. “Rumor McKenna Baker.”

My knees buckle, and I reach for the counter to hold myself up. She’s here. A heavy feeling cements me to the spot, and I can’t help but wonder if I mean her or her mother. “Rumor, is it? How old are you?”

“I’ll be ten in a few weeks.” Her face lights up, leaving no doubt she’s her mother, and eerily much like mine. A noise at the door draws our attention, and my heart feels as though it stops as she stumbles through it. My Kenzie.

Her eyes dart from me to Rumor like she’s watching a tennis match. I watch as her mouth opens, only to close again. I take another wary step away, wanting to run from the anger raging through me like an inferno before someone gets burnt.

“Boone.” Mackenzie’s face mars with fraught as she struggles to find her words and searches my eyes for understanding once again. As she did years ago.

There’s unadulterated pain written on mine, as resentment fills every corner in my body, brimming with the need to be freed. A tremor rocks my body, causing my chest to heave as I fight back all my words.

She steps toward me, her hand out to her side. “I can explain, if you’ll give me a moment with her.”

“With… ” I gaze at the little girl whose face is distorted with a frown. “Her? Is she… “

Mackenzie gasps, holding her stomach. “My daughter.”

“Your daughter?” My eyes wide, I battle screaming at her to look at this child and deny me now! “Oh, your daughter.”

Tears form in her eyes, and Rumor moves to her side. “Momma?”

“Oh, baby girl.” She runs her hand through the little girl’s hair. “This is an old f-friend of mine.”