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He wiped it away. “Besides, you’re gonna be right here in town. It’s not like we’re not gonna see each other. That is unless that suit tries to keep you locked away in his tower.”
Rough laughter ripped out. “You met Caleb.”
“I did.” There was something in his features then, something he wanted to say but held back. Instead, he asked, “That is his little girl you’ve been watching?”
I nodded. I didn’t feel right confessing the intricacies. Not when I didn’t understand why Caleb had seemed to keep it secret.
“What’s she like?”
“Amazing.” Awe infiltrated my voice.
Understanding wobbled through his nod. “I think your heart already knows where it wants to go. And I’ll be just fine here. I’ve got my friends, and I reckon I can call Dakota if I start to starve.”
He quirked a grin.
A soggy giggle got free. “You know I’d never let you starve.”
He sobered. “I know that, sweetheart. You’ve always been good to us. More than good.”
Pushing to standing, I wrapped my arms around him. “I love you so much.”
He patted my back. “I love you more than you’ll ever know. Now get out of here before I pack your bags for you.”
I swiped at my tears, smiling too wide. “Oh, I see how it is. I really was just a burden, and you’re ready to kick my butt out of here.”
“That’s right. Last couple days were the best of my life. Quiet as could be.” He winked.
“Except for that television. You have to have it set to at least forty.”
He settled back in his chair, grumbling, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Can barely hear it.”
Grabbing a throw blanket, I spread it over him then kissed his temple, whispering at the spot. “Thank you, Grandpa.”
“Excuse me?”
I was blazing down the two-lane road in the direction of Hutchins Ranch, talking to Dakota through the speaker on my phone. It had been close to ten by the time I finally got my things packed and got on my way.
“I said, I’m going to be nannying for Evelyn. You know, on a full-time basis.” I shouted it over Maybe’s grumbling engine.
“I heard you just fine. And it seems like what I’m hearing is my bestie has lost her mind and is making bad choices. I thought we hated him?”
I hemmed and hawed, rolling my lips to keep back the dirty secrets I was keeping from her.
“Don’t we?” she pressed.
“I only kinda hate him.” Damn, that was painful to admit out loud.
“Kinda?”
“Well…” I drew out over the thunder of the engine.
“Uh-oh, I distinctly recall you saying you would definitely not be crushing on him, but I am pretty sure I detect some crushing.”
“Um, crushing? Heck, no. No way. Who me?” It rambled out way too fast. “It’s just about the money. Okay fine, it’s about the little girl. And don’t forget the horses.”
At least the last part was true because this whole thing had long since ceased to be about the money. Not that I didn’t enjoy earning. But it became something else entirely when you’d do it for free.
“And it has nothing to do with a hot as sin single dad who’s a total asshole and owns the most gorgeous ranch in the county?”
My spirit pinched, and I found myself whispering over the drone, “You can’t tell anyone this, Dakota, but he’s her uncle. He took her in after her mother died.”
Silence curled through the line before she said on a hush, “Oh my God. That is so sad. That poor little girl.”
Evelyn’s confession from last night rolled through me. Tugged at my heart and wound in my spirit. Her sadness that I’d wanted to hold. To wipe away. Erase.
“It’s really awful. So, like I don’t think he’s a terrible person. A jerk and kind of intimidating and scary, but not terrible. And he’s a really good kisser.”
That got out before I could stop it.
“What?” she screeched.
I rubbed at my forehead as I watched out at the deserted road in front of me, darkness all around and the center line winking by in a blur.
“He kissed me tonight before I went to tell my grandpa my plans…after we maybe might have had video sex last night,” I rushed.
If I was confessing things, I might as well confess it all.
That time she cracked up.
Cracked up so hard her laughter shook the cab of my rattling truck. “You didn’t?”
“Oh, but I did.” I blew out a heavy sigh. “I’m an idiot, aren’t I? Tell me I’m an idiot. And on top of it, I’m getting way too attached. Evelyn fell today and sprained her wrist, and it was about the scariest thing that ever happened to me. You don’t even know how freaked out I was.”
Soft air puffed from her nose. “Believe me, I know. Every time Kayden falls, I have a mini-heart attack. I don’t know how I’m still standing. Being a mother is both the best thing you’ll ever experience and the most painful. The worry is constant.”
