AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I hated I had asked Steed to leave and not Joe. When Steed hit him though, I was so angry. I hate violence, and Steed knows that. Plus, it was my way of avoiding what had happened between us in the kitchen. His admission to loving me still, my admission, and that kiss. So much more was said with that one kiss. I wasn’t sure I was ready to deal with it all.
“Whatcha doing?”
I nearly jumped out of my skin as I spun around and clutched at my chest.
“Jesus, Amelia! Why would you sneak up on me like that?”
She tried to hide her smile and failed. Lifting her brows, she glanced past my shoulder. “Were you watching Steed and Chloe?”
My cheeks heated. “What? No! Are they here? I haven’t seen them. Why would you say that?”
When her eyes moved back to mine, I knew she saw right through my blunder of lies. “Uh-huh. I know I was little when you and Steed dated, so we really don’t know each other all that well.” She smiled. “But I can already tell you’re a terrible liar, Paxton.”
I dropped my head then peeked up at her. “I wasn’t spying.”
Amelia held up her hands. “I didn’t say you were.”
Chewing on my lip, I sighed. “Okay. I was spying. I’m lost, Amelia.”
With a soft sympathetic grin, she glanced at her brother. “So is he, Paxton. His eyes are so sad. Earlier this morning we all had breakfast together as a family and both Mom and I noticed it.”
“The family was all together?” I asked.
She nodded with a grin. “The boys have been working the ranch the last two days so they’re all staying at the house. It’s been nice having Steed home again. Dad’s thrilled he’s back and digging deeper into the business side of the ranch. The idea of having another son run day-to-day operations has him all kinds of happy.”
Guilt hit me square in the chest. It was my fault he left. I told him to leave.
He left his family and stayed away because of me.
“I’m so sorry he left town,” I said.
“Paxton, you didn’t keep him away all those years. That was his decision. A poor one, but his nonetheless.”
I shrugged. Turning, I glanced back at Steed and Chloe. “He’s such a good father.”
The sadness in my voice caused Amelia to put her hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Steed told Mom y’all talked last night.”
Worrying my lip, I pulled in a breath. “Yeah. I think we understand a few things better, but the pain is still there and I don’t know how to move past that.”
“Do you want to move past it? I mean, do you still love him?”
My chin trembled and I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I wanted more than anything to admit the truth. But admitting the truth opened me up to being hurt again. I didn’t think I could live through another heartbreak at the hands of Steed Parker.
“Aunt Meli! I won! I won!”
My breath caught as Chloe came running up. Only because I knew her father wouldn’t be far behind.
“That’s amazing! You take after your granddaddy when it comes to fishing,” Amelia said with a proud expression covering her face. She grinned when her brother walked up. “Look who I found. Paxton.”
Chloe threw her arms around my legs. “Ms. Monroe! I won at fishing.”
Squatting down, I pushed a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear. “That’s wonderful, Chloe Cat. What did you win?” Her smile quickly dropped.
“Well, I can’t really use the prize.”
I frowned. “Why not?”
She shrugged. “It’s a mommy daughter date package for a spa.”
My eyes swung up to Steed. He wore a devastated expression on his face.
“Daddy said maybe Grammy can go.”
Amelia shook her head. “Well, when is it? We can go together!”
Steed cleared his throat. “You’ll be out of town. There’s only a two-week window.”
I wasn’t sure where in the hell my head was when I opened my mouth. “I can go with you.”
Amelia dropped down next to me. “That’s a great idea!”
Chloe lit up like the Christmas tree they put up every year in the town square.
Shit. Shit. Shit. I should have asked Steed first. Standing, I studied him. “I mean, if you approve.”
He showed no emotion whatsoever, but it almost seemed like there was a hint of appreciation. “You don’t have to do that, I’m sure my mom—”
Chloe interjected. “Daddy! I want Ms. Monroe to go! Please? Oh, Daddy please. This would be the bestest day ever if my favorite teacher got to take me.”
Her words wrapped around my heart like a warm blanket. Of course, I was her only teacher, but still. I was her favorite. I looked at Steed with an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you in such a position.”
