Page 17 of The Pilot

No. Linc wasn’t that kind of man. She knew that without a doubt. It was more likely he was simply trying to make a single mother and her son feel welcome in their new space. Comfortable.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to feel that way, but a part of her didn’t feel as if she deserved it. Kash? Yes, he absolutely did. But her? She’d made too many mistakes in her life that she needed to atone for.

Straightening her shoulders, she started down the stairs, determined to find Linc.

Chapter Four

It was only a matter of time.

Harper wasn’t going to be thrilled with all the things he’d bought for her and Kash today. But once he’d started shopping, he couldn’t seem to stop. They needed beds, but also a place to put their clothes. And Kash needed a bookshelf. That had him thinking about what other books Kash might like, which led to him thinking about how few clothes both Kash and Harper had.

He’d ended up spending way more than he’d anticipated, but Linc didn’t feel one ounce of buyer’s remorse. Both Harper and her son needed more than the pathetically meager amount of belongings they possessed. And he could afford to buy them.

But he knew without a doubt that Harper wasn’t going to be as appreciative as Kash had been when he’d seen his new room. The new sheets, blankets, rugs . . . it was kind of like putting makeup on a pig, as the rooms still needed a lot of work. But he’d wanted to make both their private spaces feel like a sanctuary . . . for as long as they’d be here.

He had no idea how long that would be, but surprisingly, he wasn’t too worried about it. Kash was a good kid. He’d spent enough time with him before today to know that, but spending one-on-one time with him, while they walked through the house and Linc told him what his plans were, and as they “cooked” side by side, it was even more obvious what a good person Kash was. Harper was doing an amazing job raising him. He was sensitive, kind, and protective.

Though . . . Linc had seen a hint of a very familiar emotion in his expression when he’d asked about school. He’d allowed Kash to change the subject, but it wasn’t hard to see that the boy didn’t really like school, which was a shame, since he was so smart he should be excited to go every day. To learn something new.

Linc got the immediate feeling Kash didn’t like school because of how he was treated. Which Linc hated for him. Kash was amazing, and just because he was a late bloomer who enjoyed astronomy and science more than sports, that shouldn’t put him in the crosshairs of school bullies. But it probably had. And that sucked.

Linc knew all too well how it felt.

It was ironic that it was Kash’s mother who’d made Linc feel that way.

He shook off the melancholy. Those days were well and truly behind him. He needed to concentrate on the here and now. And that meant hearing whatever Harper wanted to say. And it was obvious she had lots of thoughts running through her head as she walked down the stairs toward him.

To his surprise, Linc wanted to grin. She was actually cute. She still had on the khaki pants she wore to work and the navy blue polo shirt that did nothing for her shape or coloring. She looked tired but determined. He liked seeing her in mama-bear mode. And he had no doubt that’s what she was. She might not stick up for herself, but for Kash, she’d face her enemies head-on . . . not that he was an enemy. Far from it.

It had been less than a day since he’d offered to let her and Kash move in, and he was already getting to know a completely different Harper than she showed the rest of the world. A more vulnerable one. Unsure of herself. Hanging on by a thread. It was a far cry from the self-assured, almost conceited girl she’d once been.

“It’s too much, Linc,” she said without preamble as she approached. She kept her voice low, likely so Kash wouldn’t overhear her.

“What is?” he asked, acting confused. He knew exactly what she was talking about.

“You know what. The beds, the clothes, the books, the freaking shower curtain!”

“You’d rather water get all over the bathroom? Sleep on the floor? Keep Kash’s books in stacks around his room?”

“Well, no . . . but you said you had beds,” she accused.

“I lied,” he said easily.

Harper’s mouth fell open. “I can’t believe you just admitted that.”

“Why not? It’s true. Look, you needed a place to go. Kash needed a place where he didn’t have to worry about his mom storming off in the middle of the night to sleep in her car. I have the room, it’s not a big deal.”

“It is a big deal,” Harper said, quietly and a little calmer. “To me, it’s a huge deal.”

Linc supposed she was right, and he said so. “I don’t mean to belittle your feelings. Look, I like Kash. He reminds me a lot of myself. I was a scrawny, quiet little kid in school too. I was obsessed with planes, and he’s obsessed with space. He’s going to do great things, Harper, I just know it. But he needs a safe place to land. One without judgment. And I can offer that to him. And you.”

Harper just stared at him.

Linc took advantage of her speechlessness and went on.

“Your rooms are drafty, and will only get more so as we head into the heart of winter. Warm bedding was necessary because it’ll get chilly in your rooms, until I can get the windows replaced and resealed. I know you noticed how much work there still needs to be done, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be comfortable in the meantime. And it’s not as if the beds and bedding will go to waste after you’re gone. They can be reused. I needed to get some furniture, and your arrival just sped up that process a bit. That’s all.”

“And the stuff for Kash in the bathroom? And the books?”