“Silas,” her voice calls after me, forcing me to pause with my hand on the door. Glancing over my shoulder, I look toward her, waiting for her to finish whatever it is she wants to say, but the silence drags on, her wide eyes hesitant.
“What song were you singing?” I ask to fill the void.
“You heard me?” Her cheeks, already pink from the heat of the shower, turn darker.
“You’re good,” I swallow, hand so tight on the door handle, the skin across my knuckles has turned white.
“It wasCoalby Dylan Gossett,” she looks to her feet. “I didn’t think anyone would be in here.”
“That’s on me,” I mutter. “Sorry.”
I don’t wait for her to respond and dip out, closing the door behind me.Fuck.
My steps feel weighted as I move back into the living room. Rosie and Caleb are glued to the TV,Spiritplaying across the screen. They should have just settled on that in the first place instead of arguing like sworn enemies, since it’s their go-to and the only thing they ever agree on. Picking up my coffee, I open my emails and go through the ones I’ve neglected over the past couple of weeks, using them as a distraction from the woman currently trying to possess my thoughts.
My kids are aware of her presence; the how and why she is here, not so much, but they’re good kids. They’ll welcome her; hell, Rosie will probably try to become her best friend like she did with my brother’s wife, while Caleb will remain polite but reserved.
His mother leaving did a number on him, and we’re still in the process of fixing the damage it caused.
Her bedroom door clicks open and Juni appears, her long blonde hair still wet from the shower, and she’s in a pair of denim shorts and a tight white tee that molds to the shape of her body, outlining every curve and dip.
Fucking hell.
“Want some coffee?” My voice comes out strained and slightly rougher than I intend.
“Sure,” she nods, walking toward me slowly. The bruise on her face appears darker in the daylight, the shadows beneath her skin covering her cheekbone and the corner of her eye.
Grabbing her a cup, I pour her some coffee and then slide the creamer and sugar pot toward her so she can make it how she likes. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the three heaping spoons of sugar she adds wasn’t it, and she only adds a dash of creamer, enough to turn the coffee maybe two shades lighter.
“Are you Juni?” Rosie comes padding toward her, her curiosity lighting up her face.
Brown eyes flick from me to my daughter, and I watch her completely change. Gone is the hesitancy, the nerves; instead, her face is light, eyes bright, the change so drastic I almostdon’t recognize her.
“I am,” Juni lowers to a crouch to get on eye level with Rosie, “And you must be Rosie, am I right?”
Rosie nods, “You have an ouch, Miss Juni.”
Tentatively, Juni whispers her fingers over the edge of the bruise on her face, “I do, but you know what? It’ll heal and be better in no time.”
“I get bruises when I bash my knees,” Rosie tells her matter-of-factly.
Leaning my hip on the counter, I watch the woman who has every right to sink into herself and shut out the world interact with my Rosie. She hides all of that darkness from her, only giving her light and kindness.
“So do I,” Juni smiles at her, “But sometimes bashed knees are part of the fun.”
“That’s what I said!” Rosie widens her eyes, “Like the time I jumped off the jungle gym.”
I wince. That wasn’t just a bruise; that was a broken wrist.
“I told daddy it was worth it cause it felt like I was flying.”
Juni chuckles and looks over my daughter’s head, toward Caleb who is watching them from afar. He has his knees against his chest, a frown lowering his brows.
“You must be Caleb,” Juni addresses him, “I’m Juni.”
He nods silently and offers nothing more. Instead of pushing, Juni simply gives him a soft smile and goes back to Rosie, who starts dumping every single piece of information on her. Her favorite color, favorite snack, and everything she’s learning at school.
“Alright,” I clap my hands to get my daughter’s attention, “Are you ready to go meet the new horse?”
