Southern Charm

Chapter 13

JESSIE

Yesterday, I met Meghan Black, Trace's sweet younger sister who is my age. I learned she is a financial collector and can travel a lot due to being able to work from home. From the short time Meghan and I spent together, I discovered she is brilliant and perhaps a little stubborn like myself.

Today, Trace's parents and step-parents were coming to town—Grace and Trace's stepdad, Jack, who married last year. Richard and Trace's stepmother Lorene also got married a few years earlier. Meghan went to pick them up from the airport this morning and was returning with them now. I couldn't wait to meet them, but I had only one problem growing up and being in relationships. My significant other's parents tended not to like me.

Max Lane's parents, Becky and George, were not fond of me. I think it's because, at the time, our White Family Ranch was exceedingly better than theirs. Another factor was that I was younger than Max, only by two years, but I think that bugged them. Max was always around me when we were together, which probably bothered his parents, along with the part where we got caught in the Lane barn. Then there's that secret I mentioned before that no one knew about except for Bailey and my mother.

"What are you thinking about?" Trace asked, entering the living room with a glass of water for me.

I couldn't lie to him about anything; I would feel bad. He has treated me right, and I assume he has been honest with me, too. How would he react if I told him the whole truth? Would Trace change his mind about me, or would it even phase him?

"Well, for starters, I am nervous about meeting your parents. Parents haven't liked me in the past, and I'm marrying you. I worry that's all."

Trace sat down next to me after handing me my glass of water. "Babe, you have nothing to be concerned about. I've told both sets of my parents a lot about you, and they already adore you just as much as I do. Nothing is going to take us apart."

Tears filled my eyes, and I turned to look at Trace. He needed to know the truth before it was too late. "Are you sure nothing would pull us apart?"

Trace showed concern and grabbed my hand. "Jess, what is this about? This isn't just about my parents anymore, is it?" He asked.

"No, it's about my past; only two people knew about it. Mom and Bailey," I cried. "I don't want you to think anything less of me when I tell you, but you deserve to know to determine if marriage is still in our future."

"Jess, nothing you can say will make me change my mind on how I feel about you. I love you, and that's that."

"I used to date Max Lane a couple of years ago, and right before we broke up, I found him cheating on me with one of my best friends, Lainey Jones. When I was with Max, I did a lot of things I now regret, and that was how I ended up pregnant." Tears streamed down my cheeks as I reminisced on the past. "The day I found out I was pregnant was when I saw Max with Lainey. It was a Friday morning, and I had gone home to work myself to death around the ranch. I worked so hard that Dane found me unconscious near the chicken coop and took me to the hospital. That's where Mom found out and called Bailey. I didn't want anyone to know because I was too ashamed of what I had done."

I sobbed into Trace's arms as he held me close. I had thought he would push me away, but he embraced me and still cared for me.

"I knew I was pregnant, yet I still chose to work in the summer heat without taking breaks. I overexerted myself, harming myself and killing my unborn child. I've never forgiven myself for it."

"Jessie, honey, you went through a lot that day. I can't imagine all of the things you had to have been feeling. You were heartbroken. I can see how strong you are now, and you don't let many people in to help. Sometimes, you have to be open to others. You can't blame yourself entirely. Max should have gone after you; someone should have noticed you were overworking. It is not all your fault."