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She rolls her eyes at me. “The kids are going to meet people they don’t like. That’s life. They’re gonna have to get used to it because you’re not going to be able to keep them up here and protect them for the rest of their lives. And it sure seemed like they liked her just fine.”
“Right now, she’s alone in there with them,” I say, my heart pounding. I turn to glance through the window. Kacee is sitting on the sofa, talking to Evie and Jackson. “How do I know whether or not I can trust her? How do I know—”
“Parker. You don’t. That’s how the world works. I’m asking you to trust me. I wouldn’t bring someone up here that’s going to hurt my niece and nephew. I’m looking out for them because I love them and they deserve the best.”
“I do trust you,” I tell her. “I do, I just—”
“Parker,” Penelope interrupts me. “I know you’re scared. Change is scary. But I promise you, Kacee is sweet and caring, and you’d see if you gave her a chance.” She steps forward, reaching out and taking my hands, squeezing them tightly.
I sigh.
“But you need to get over yourself and let go,” she says sternly.
“But I—”
“Parker,” Penelope repeats. “It’s not about you. It’s about Evie and Jackson.”
Penelope motions toward the house and I pull away from her to look through the window again. Evie and Jackson have already set up a board game on the coffee table and seem to be teaching Kacee the rules. All three of them are laughing and having a good time.
“You’re not doing them any favors by not giving them a chance at an education. I know you want to keep them safe, but they can’t live their lives being secluded forever. They’re children now, they’re not babies anymore. They need an education, friends, and socialization. They need to do things that aren’t in the woods with people who aren’t you or me. They need that, Parker. You owe them that at least. Give them a chance to grow and develop.”
I glare down at her. I feel two halves at war inside myself. One half struggles to let go, still holding tight to the idea that Evie and Jackson will be safer if I keep them here. I can protect them here, I know I can. The other half of me knows Penelope is right, and I can’t provide them with everything they need. I scoff at Penelope telling me I can’t teach my own children, but I know there’s some truth to it.
I sigh again. Penelope takes my hand again and holds it tight.
“I know this is hard,” Penelope whispers. “Please give her a chance. I think you could really use her help and will grow to like her.”
“I don’t want it,” I say roughly, pulling my hand free from Penelope’s grasp and turning away from her. I’m getting emotional, and I just want to keep it all bottled up inside. I walk to my front door and shoulder it open, but Evie and Jackson are talking too loudly over each other for anyone to notice me.
Kacee is sitting on the couch with Evie and Jackson, the three of them all bending over a board game set up on top of the coffee table. Jackson is jabbering, making up a backstory for the two-game pawns he has in his hands. Evie is shouting over him, trying to explain the rules of the game to Kacee. Kacee, for her part, is nodding encouragingly, asking questions now and then that Evie seems all too happy to answer. Kacee says something I don’t catch, and Evie and Jackson both burst out laughing.
I lean in the doorway, watching. Evie and Jackson look like they’re having more fun than they’ve had in a long time. They undoubtedly already adore Kacee, who is talking to them like they’re two small adults, instead of like kids. I always hate when people talk down to children. I look at Kacee a little harder, a little deeper. I don’t want to think about it, but she’s gorgeous. She has long blonde hair braided down her back, and some loose strands have blown free. Her brilliant green eyes watch my kids, and I notice her face full of freckles. When she laughs, her head falls back. She’s shorter than me by over a foot and has curves that could kill. Something in me just wants to hold her close.
I force myself not to continue those thoughts. Looking at Kacee, I have to make a conscious effort not to think of what a life with her would be like. Instead, I wonder if this is what life would’ve been like if Rebecca was still here. Had my wife never died, would Evie and Jackson be happily playing these games with her, laughing and having a good time?
Penelope taps my shoulder from behind, and I shake myself out of my own head and clear my throat, letting Kacee and the kids know I’m here. They all look up at me. Evie and Jackson look fairly curious and excited, while Kacee looks afraid.
“Can I talk to you?” I ask Kacee. She still seems petrified, but she nods, standing, smoothing down her green dress. I jerk my head toward the kitchen and go there without waiting for her since I’m already having such a difficult time looking at her and not thinking about things I shouldn’t.
By the time I get to the farthest corner of the kitchen, Penelope has herded Evie and Jackson away, distracting them with their board game so they can’t eavesdrop. Kacee walks toward me hesitantly, stopping at more than an arm’s length away. I figure that’s probably for the best. I drop my arms to my side, not wanting to intimidate her any more than she already is. This isn’t her fault, and I try to remember that.
“I’m not so sure about this,” I say. I’ve always been bad at small talk. She blinks at me, then furrows her brow. “I’m doing just fine on my own. I don’t know what my sister was thinking, but I’m good. You can go home,” I tell her matter-of-factly.
Kacee stares up at me in silence for a beat, like she’s considering something and isn’t sure how to say it. In a moment, her expression shifts and I watch her warily.
“I wasn’t so sure, either,” Kacee says. “Not after how you responded to seeing me, and to Penelope telling you who I was and why I was here. But…” Kacee glances over her shoulder at Evie and Jackson, the two of them sitting at the coffee table while Penelope talks to them quietly. Jackson looks up and makes eye contact with Kacee, and he waves his little hand at her. Kacee waves back.
“But,” Kacee continues, and I make eye contact with her. “Based on what Penelope said and what Evie and Jackson just told me, you do need my help. I’m really sorry if I’m overstepping,” she rushes to say before I can interrupt her. “But I’ve worked with kids for a long time, and I really think you could use me here. I’m willing to give my help and do anything I can for them.”
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p; I glare at her. It’s bad enough when Penelope tells me I’m not doing a good enough job with my kids, but it’s another thing entirely when a stranger says it, no matter how pretty she is.
“I want to help you,” Kacee adds when it becomes clear I’m not going to reply. She glances back over her shoulder at Evie and Jackson again, and I follow her eyes to them. “For their sakes, especially. Not for yours or mine. They need it.”
I know she’s right. I know it. It just rubs me the wrong way to hear it, to be making this decision right now when I have spent so long trying to avoid it. I know my kids have to grow up, that they need to start exploring the world. I just never thought it would happen so fast.
I bite back a sigh. “Fine.” I grunt.
