“That’s what we agreed to.”
“Who cares? Do what you want.”
“And what about my fear of her girls?”
“Just hang out with them like you would if they were your friends’ kids. Don’t start thinking like a daddy. Elle’s going to have her baby in a few months. You’re going to hold the little guy and talk to him and hand him off when he cries or shits himself. Just do that with Nova’s girls until you know them well enough to do more.”
“That sounds simple.”
“You’re thinking too hard about it. I rarely think hard about anything, and stuff turns out fine. When I mess up, your dad cleans up the problem. Be like me and give Blackjack something to do.”
Chuckling, I kissed the top of my mom’s head. She had a horrific childhood. Most people wouldn’t have recovered from such a terrible situation. Somehow, Yarrow put the pieces back together. She might be nuts about a bunch of things, but I never doubted she loved me more than herself.
Maybe that was my real issue with Nova. I was tight with my family. Most of my friends had been in my life since I was little. I hadn’t bonded with many new people since I became an adult. I still felt a little awkward around Ivy.
Now, there was a woman who made my chest feel too full. Life hadn’t been easy for Nova. I wanted to be the right man for her, but I wasn’t sure how to act around a stranger.Would being Boone Chester be enough to make Nova and her girls happy?
NOVA
The party slowed down. People headed home. Dillon decided to bunk again at her grandparents’ house next door. Yet, Dan and Lula didn’t head to the hotel. After I got the girls to bed in my room, I found my brother waiting for me.
“You should go to your hotel and enjoy your pre-honeymoon,” I told Dan when I realized Lula wasn’t in the house.
“I think we should talk.”
“It’s not a big deal,” I said while wiping down the already clean countertops. “Go be with Lula.”
“If this guy—”
“You know Boone. He isn’t the enemy.”
“Yeah, but if he pressures you, I want to know.”
Meeting his gaze, I mumbled, “You think I’m weak.”
“No, I think your heart is soft.”
“That’s just a nice way of saying I’m weak.”
“You only recently moved to Little Memphis. You’ve gotten a fresh start. I don’t want you to get wrapped up with someone else when you could be focused on yourself.”
“It’s just a date. If it doesn’t work, I’ll survive.”
Tipping back his cowboy hat, he asked, “What if he gets obsessed with you?”
Rolling my eyes, I smiled. “That would never happen.”
“You’re a good-looking woman.”
“Thank you, Dan. Now go away and enjoy your new bride.”
His dark eyes held a lifetime of worries when he muttered, “I want you to be safe and happy.”
“I also want that.”
“But you got scared today.”
“I was nervous.”
