Kelsey’s mom might not have been a burden, but she wasn’t helping her either by adding more things to her plate. Davis couldn’t do much at that moment to help Kelsey with her problem with the bar, but he could help with her mom.
“I can take her home.”
“You don’t need to do that.” Kelsey waved him off. “I’ll let her sleep and take her home when I’m off.”
“But you’re not off for a few more hours. It’s not a problem. She’s on my way home anyway.”
Kelsey chewed on her bottom lip and his gaze went there before he shifted his focus away. “You sure?”
He cleared his throat. “It’s fine. Happy to.”
“You’re a liar. But I’ll owe you big. Like usual.” She smoothed her hands down her sweater, and his eyes immediately followed her movements. He jerked his attention back to her face, her cheeks beginning to fill with a rosy glow.
A glowhe’dcaused.
“What are friends for,” he choked out, forcing an attempt at a nonchalant shrug. He hauled Rita off the couch, bracing an arm around her.
“Thank you.”
“No problem. I’ll text you once she’s home safe and sound.”
“You’re the best,” she whispered, her throat bobbing. He knew she didn’t like asking for help but she should know better by now; he’d always be there for her, no matter if she asked or not.
Because they were friends. Just friends.
Only, he had to remind himself of what that meant.
In all honesty, he owed Rita Sanders. She may have just saved him from making the biggest mistake of his life.
CHAPTERSEVEN
KELSEY
Askingfor help was one thing. Begging was something entirely different. Going to her in-laws to ask for money so she could save the bar felt a lot like begging. With thirty-five days remaining, she was running out of time.
Checking the weather app on her phone had been a mistake. It verified the usual—it would be a cool fall day in Pineridge. But at least there would be blue sky and full sun, giving way to a beautiful mountainous landscape. The cooler temps and rain the week before resulted in early snowfall in the Colorado mountains. While it was sure pretty to look at, the sight of snow was a horrific reminder of Ricky and the accident.
Acid burned Kelsey’s throat as she pulled a cream knitted sweater over her head and yanked on a pair of freshly laundered jeans straight from the dryer. She buttoned and zipped them as she hopped around in her bedroom before rushing downstairs and into the kitchen. The same pair of jeans used to fit snug around her hips and thighs. But there was something about grief that messed with your appetite.
That messed with a lot of things.
Kelsey scooped the pancake mix from a box into a bowl, pouring in the measured water and whisked it. At least pancakes were something even Charlotte could eat and the other two loved which hopefully meant they’d all get out of the house with zero crying. She could hope.
With her mind busy and distracted on what she’d say to the O’Henrys when she dropped the kids off, she couldn’t muster the appetite for pancakes herself. Instead, she drank a cup of coffee and popped a handful of chocolate covered raisins into her mouth and called it good.
“C’mon you two, get your shoes on,” she called to June and Zach as soon as they were finished eating breakfast.
“I don’t wanna go to Grandma and Grandpa’s. I want to stay with you,” June whined.
“It’s only for a few hours. Besides, it should be fun. They’re taking you to the fun center.”
“I want you to take us to the fun center.”
Well, darn it if the mom guilt didn’t punch her straight in the gut.
“Mommy has to go to work today.”
“We can go with you,” June said.
