Free Forgiving Reed (Southern Boys #1) by C. A. Harms Page A

him. “Dig in, boy, tear it up,” he told Rhett, and everyone laughed. Momma offered a little help while I took photos. Maria had offered to run the camcorder.
    With every gift, Rhett grew more excited. His face lit up with each toy he found. When he was down to the last three boxes, the ones Reed had brought, I grew nervous. I watched closely as Momma gently pulled on the edge of the wrapping paper, giving Rhett a place to start. He pulled and laughed, causing everyone around him to chuckle. He was such a happy little guy. Being here with my parents had done him good. He was so loved, and in return he loved big.
    I heard my mother squeal and Rhett holler out, “Tac,” as he bounced on his feet. The paper had not yet been torn off completely, so the side facing me was still covered.
    Reed came forward out of his chair, onto his knees next to my son. “It’s a tractor, buddy. A tractor bed for a big boy.” Reed’s eyes met mine just as the tear spilled over my cheek. I quickly swept it away and smiled back at him. I was overwhelmed with his kindness.
    The other boxes from Reed were opened directly after. I laughed as he placed the tiny cowboy hat onto Rhett’s head. Momma held up the little pair of cowboy boots, and Maria awed. They really were some of the cutest things I had ever seen.
    How could I fight against the scene in front of me? Reed wasn’t the same guy he once was. He didn’t owe me anything, and he certainly didn’t owe anything to my son. He was here by choice. He was here because he was a good man with a big heart.
    Before I had time to think about it, I walked over and knelt down on the ground next to him. Throwing my arms around his shoulders and pulling him in close, I whispered against his neck, “Thank you.”
    “Don’t thank me, I love this little guy. He and I are buds.” I chuckled against his neck.
    Before I pulled back, I placed a soft kiss against his jaw. “You’re a good guy, Reed.”
    Seeing everyone around us watching, I pulled back quickly. I stood and brushed off my pants. “So, um, who wants cake?”
    I felt the embarrassment of the entire situation take over. I chose to ignore the questioning looks coming from my best friend and went inside to grab the cake. I busied myself with the plates and silverware when I heard the front door open behind me.
    “What in the hell just happened?” I should have known I wouldn’t escape the third degree. It was Maria’s way; she left nothing alone.
    “I just thanked him, Maria. I’ve been really hard on him since I got back here. He just isn’t who I thought he was. He loves my son, and that in turn gives me no choice but to welcome him into his life. I won’t take anyone else from Rhett’s life. He needs all the love he can get, and Reed obviously has it to give him. They’ve bonded, and yeah, for a moment I was extremely emotional. I’m good with it now.”
    I left her standing in my kitchen as I carried out the cake and plates.
    For the next two hours we played outside with Rhett and laughed. He was stumbling around after the basketball Ben and Leann had gotten him. He was determined to shoot the miniature ball into the little plastic hoop. He giggled every time it rolled past him and he had to chase after it.
    As everything slowed down and people started to leave, Maria and I began cleaning up. Rhett was safely tucked in my daddy’s arms as he and Reed carried on about the farm. They were finishing up the remaining part of the fence next week, and then Reed would move on to his next project. It seemed everyone in town loved Reed, and he was the handyman who could fix everything, or so they thought.
    My momma said a quick goodbye through the front door, and I turned just in time to watch Reed enter holding Rhett against his chest. My little boy was all tuckered out, and it showed.
    I took the few steps to him and held out my arms. “You ready for your bath, sweet boy?” My gaze met Reed’s, and he watched me intensely. He