Bluest Eyes in Texas: A Country Romance Novel (Book 2)

By S.A. Tadej

Book 2 of The Bluest Eyes in Texas series picks up where Book 1 left off. After Makenzie and Caleb's forced separation, both are tortured and tormented by the gut wrenching pain that only the truest form of love can cause, as memories and images of each other continuously and relentlessly haunt them.
The tale that enfolds is an unforgettable story of love and heartache that demonstrates how love can be powerful enough to conquer all

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.A. Tadej
• Release date: Jan 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301551491

S.A. Tadej

Author & full time proud mama!Animal Lover. Advocate for human & animal rights. Avid reader."Don't do to any living being what you wouldn't want done to yourself." ~ words to live byCurrently working on a screenplay and a new romance novel.

Book preview

Bluest Eyes in Texas

Book 2

by S.A. Tadej

Copyright © 2012 by S.A. Tadej

Smashwords Edition

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard word of this author.

To my daughter and my mother for their love and support

"He felt now that he was not simply close to her,

but that he did not know where he ended and she began."

~ Leo Tolstoy

Chapter 9

The next few weeks were torturous for Caleb as Makenzie’s face continued to haunt his every waking moment. Sleep offered no relief as she occupied his dreams. He pushed himself to keep going every day, telling himself that he was doing it all to win Makenzie back. He was going to make something of himself and earn the respect of her parents if it killed him.

Within a few days of leaving the Adams’ house, Caleb had found another job as a groundskeeper, vowing to save as much money as he could. The new job was a live-in position, which enabled him to save most of his earnings. His new employers were very friendly and even allowed him to keep Angel in his room. Caleb also took a part-time night job three days a week at a local factory and a Sunday job at an equestrian center teaching little kids how to ride a horse. His motivation was commendable at the least.

On the nights he wasn’t working at the factory, Caleb would continue studying for his diploma. Two weeks after he had left Makenzie’s house, he finished his studies and signed up to take the test. He had passed with flying colors and even earned himself a small scholarship at the community college.

Every night Caleb drove past Makenzie’s house. He’d park his truck down her street and slowly walk past her property, hoping to get a glimpse of her. Although he never saw her, it made him feel better to know that he was near her. When he returned to his truck, he would drive the few miles to the farmhouse Makenzie had loved. He told himself that one day the property would be theirs.

It was now Sunday night, nearly three weeks since he’d last seen Makenzie. He had called her house several times, each time being told that she was unavailable. The phone would be abruptly hung up before he had the chance to ask if he might leave a message for her.

As he was heading back from work, Caleb drove toward Makenzie’s house and dared to stop this time. He pulled his truck right up to the gates and pressed the intercom.

Yes? a female voice said. He recognized the familiar voice right away.

Maria, it’s me, Caleb. I need to see Makenzie.

Caleb, the Mister and the Misses are both at home. I’ll lose my job if I let you in. I’m sorry, but I can’t.

Maria, please? I need to see her! Caleb pleaded.

I can’t! I can’t! I’m sorry, Maria exclaimed anxiously.

Maria, wait! Caleb started to say, but he heard the intercom click off.

Caleb slammed his hand against the steering wheel and sat back, running a hand through his hair as he exhaled loudly. He sat there a few moments before backing his truck out onto the street.

* * *

It had been a month since Caleb had been made to leave. Makenzie still did not know his reasons for leaving. She had stayed locked up in her room, speaking to no one. She even had Maria bring her meals to her room, eating very little. Makenzie had begun to grow weak from the hunger. A fever had set in and she was near delirious. Teddy heard her moans and ran to her room. Finding her door locked, he forced it open. Natasha had run in behind him. He knelt beside the bed and felt Makenzie’s sweaty forehead. She’s burning up! he exclaimed.

Natasha’s mouth fell open as she looked at the unsightly shape on the bed that used to be her daughter. Her skin had grown very pale. Her eyes were bloodshot and her cheeks somewhat hollow with the weight she’d lost. We need to get her to a hospital right away, Natasha said, her voice riddled with worry.

Makenzie mumbled something they couldn’t quite hear. Teddy leaned in closer and asked her to repeat it. Leave me be. I just want to die, she whispered as a tear ran down her cheek.

Makenzie, stop that! Teddy yelled. Why would you say such a thing?

It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters without him, Makenzie whispered before losing consciousness.

Teddy lowered his hand to Makenzie’s chest. She’s still breathing, but it’s shallow.

Go and get the Suburban by the staff garage. Pull it up to the front and come back to help me move her. Hurry! Natasha commanded.

Teddy ran to the staff garage and jumped in the Suburban. He quickly pulled it up front and jumped out, leaving the engine running. He bolted up the stairs and scooped Makenzie up into his arms.

Once outside, Natasha climbed into the driver’s seat and Teddy held Makenzie in the backseat. Natasha drove the short distance to the hospital and pulled up by the emergency room doors. Once inside, they were escorted to a small waiting room while a nurse took Makenzie to an examining room.

Teddy was pacing back and forth when his cell phone rang. He saw that it was Anna. I’ll be right back, he said to his sister-in-law as he walked outside.

Hi, Teddy. How is she? Anna asked.

We don’t know yet. The doctor hasn’t come out yet.

Teddy, we have to tell her the truth about Caleb.

Teddy was silent for a few moments as he paced back and forth on the sidewalk, his right hand on his forehead. I’ll call you as soon as I hear something from the doctor.

Teddy hung up and walked back inside. Natasha was sitting with her elbows on her lap and her head in her hands. It seemed like an eternity before the doctor finally approached. Teddy watched as a short, elderly man with thinning gray hair and large glasses approached. Mrs. Adams? the man asked.

Yes, Natasha replied as she met his eyes.

The man offered his hand. Hi. I’m Dr. Phillips.

Natasha shook his hand. How is she?

Let’s go talk in private for a moment.

Natasha stood and motioned for Teddy to follow her. Dr. Phillips led them to a small office, closed the door and motioned for them to sit down.

Is my daughter okay? Natasha asked again, her patience fading.

Mrs. Adams, I’m afraid that your daughter is very ill. She’s suffering from pneumonia and severe dehydration. None of this is good for the baby.

Baby? What baby? Natasha asked, looking completely baffled.

Mrs. Adams, Makenzie is pregnant. I assumed you knew.

Natasha shook her head and bit her lower lip. Is she gonna be okay? Natasha asked when she found her voice again.

I had the nurse start an IV. She’s getting plenty of fluids and vitamins as well as an antibiotic for the pneumonia. She’s stable but I think it would be best if she stayed in the hospital a few days until her fever breaks and she’s a bit stronger.

How far along is she? Natasha asked.

That I do not know. I put in a call to my associate, Dr. Schwartz. She’s the obstetrician on staff. I imagine she’ll want to do a sonogram once Makenzie is awake.

Can we see her? Teddy interrupted.

She gained consciousness and tried fighting us on the IV so we had to sedate her. But you can go in for a few minutes to sit with her if you like.

Yes. Thank you, Natasha quickly replied.

Teddy and Natasha were escorted to a small room in the ER closed off by a thin sheet. They looked over at Makenzie, with the IV taped down to her bony wrist and an oxygen tube up her nose. Natasha kissed Makenzie’s forehead and sat in a chair next to her, holding her hand. Teddy stared down at her, watching her sleep for a few minutes. He placed a hand on her belly and fought back tears. He had to leave the room as the guilt of not telling Makenzie the truth about Caleb overwhelmed him.

Natasha stayed a few more minutes with her daughter. She left her contact info at the nurses’ station and found Teddy outside. They drove home in silence.

Teddy ran straight up to his room when he got back. There was a knock at his door and Anna entered. Teddy, you never called me back! What’s going on? Anna asked nervously.

Teddy shrugged, still looking down, as he sat silently on the edge of his bed. When he looked up Anna could see that he had been crying.

What? Anna exclaimed anxiously.

She has pneumonia.

Anna sat down on the bed next to him and put her hand on his leg. But she’ll be okay, right?

There’s more, Teddy whispered. He lifted his head up to meet Anna’s eyes. She’s pregnant.

Anna was silent a few moments as her mouth fell open. Pregnant? Oh my God... what have we done? Anna stared at Teddy a moment. We have to tell Caleb.

Teddy thought it over. No.

What do you mean, no? Anna snapped.

Makenzie ought to be the one to tell him about the baby herself. And besides, I don’t even know how to get a hold of him.

I do, Anna replied.

Teddy stared at her, a look of confusion on his face.

He called me a few days ago. Well, I mean I didn’t answer the phone. I had a voicemail from him, and he left his number.

I assumed my brother took the phone back when he fired him, Teddy replied.

Caleb never used that phone. He always used his own except when you talked to Michael. He’d called me to help him when he bought Makenzie that puppy for her birthday. My number must still be in his contacts, Anna explained.

Anna took her cell phone out of her pocket and handed it to Teddy. Teddy listened to the voice mail and dialed the number. I got his voicemail, he whispered to Anna. Caleb, it’s Teddy....

Chapter 10

Caleb sped over to the hospital, parked by the emergency room doors, and went in. He stopped at the nurses’ station to inquire the whereabouts of Makenzie.

Are you family? the nurse asked.

No. I’m her boyfriend, Caleb answered.

I’m sorry, sir, but we can only give that information to family, the nurse explained.

I’m family, Caleb heard a male voice say. He turned around to see Teddy close behind him. I’m her uncle. I was here this morning when she was brought in. He’s with me, Teddy said as he nodded toward Caleb.

The nurse read her chart and informed them that Makenzie had been moved to a room upstairs on the fourth floor. She gave them the room number. They ran to the elevator and Teddy pushed the button to go upstairs. Caleb stood a moment and then bolted for the stairs. Teddy followed him. By the time they reached the fourth floor, Teddy was breathless. Caleb kept walking until he found room 410. He peeked in the window on the door before pulling it open. Teddy stood back in the doorway, giving Caleb his space. He watched as Caleb hurried to Makenzie’s side.

Caleb looked down at Makenzie. He saw the IV stand with the needle taped down to her wrist and the oxygen tube inserted in her nose. He noticed her pale complexion, her hallowed cheeks. She was in a fitful sleep, her eyes closed as she turned her head side to side. He swore he heard her whisper his name. He leaned in closer and heard it again. It was too much for him. He put his arm under her shoulders and pulled her up, holding her, as he fought back tears. My beautiful Makenzie, what have you done to yourself?

He continued holding her, as she lay limp in his arms, kissing her forehead, her cheeks and her lips. Teddy stood and watched the scene in silence, the threat of tears in his own eyes, guilt eating