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“You’re not a matchmaker, Mabel. Perhaps he was watching someone else.” Even as I say it, I hope he was watching me, but surely, I can’t trust my feelings right now. I remind myself it’s just a stupid fangirl crush.
“No, he asked me about you.”
Oh, no.What did he say to her? I told him that I’d lost someone. Did he tell her that? Is that why she’s probing about Eli?
“What did he ask?” The words rush out.
She giggles. “He wanted to know if you were single… he knew I was your sister. He said you’d told him that it was a family-run ranch and that I run the vacation care.”
“He didn’t,” I scoff. “Now you’re playing games with me.”
She stands and stares down at me. “Believe what you want, but I told him that I wasn’t sure what your relationship status is at the moment and to ask you himself.”
“That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?”
“No, I didn’t have an answer for him. So maybe have a chat with him. He could introduce you to your future someone. You never know what’s around the corner in life.” She’s always the free spirit with all the positive vibes to get through the day.
Mabel takes her cup with her and exits the kitchen, and I’m left in silence as the sun slowly creeps up. It’s the start of a brand new day—a new beginning. Tonight, my family will know the truth about my past, and hopefully, that will help me heal a little more. I’m a patchwork quilt in the process of being fixed.
Only time can heal me—time and just being here with family.
STANDING OUTSIDE THE LITTLE VACATIONcare granny flat we have, I grip Olive in my hands. She wasn’t great for Isla. What if she’s just as bad with Mabel? Have I conditioned her to only want me? There wasn’t much I could do about that, considering it’s only been her and me since Eli died.
“Are you planning to stand and stare at the building all day?”
Whirling around, I come face to face with Sebastian, Rylee, and Ruby, all bright-faced and grinning.
“Hey there. Yeah, I’m deciding if I want to take her in today or not. She’s not been herself lately.” I can’t take my eyes from his—they captivate me in a way Eli’s never did. There’s a tenderness in his gaze. Maybe even some vulnerability.
“Well, perhaps we could do it together? Rylee wants to hang with Ruby today in here for a little while, so I’ll have a little time to myself, and I’m not sure what to do.”
I take in the beautiful girls. Rylee’s hair is up in a high ponytail. She holds onto Ruby’s foot, which dangles by Sebastian’s hip. Ruby rubs her eyes, and I smile at her, which she returns. She’s the same age as Olive, give or take a few days.
“Let’s get this over with, and maybe, if you’re interested, I can show you around,” I offer, even though my entire body is trembling at the idea of hanging out with a guy again, just him and me, for the first time since Eli. Am I betraying him because it’s only been six months?
“Sounds like a good idea.” His words snap me from my worrisome thoughts.
Sebastian makes the first move toward the front door, and I follow. The moment I step in, I want to run back out and just cart Olive with me everywhere. I felt the same when I left her with Isla, but then I had no choice. Now, I do. A gentle touch on my arm startles me and draws my attention. Sebastian gives me an encouraging smile. His hand drops from my arm. Its warm presence and gentleness soothe my worried soul.
“Look who we have here.” Mabel’s high-pitched teacher voice sounds from the corner of the room. “Little Olive and Ruby.”
Mabel comes closer and takes Olive and then Ruby, balancing them both on her hips. They eye each other off before Ruby giggles, and then Olive follows suit. A bit of my worry slips away—only a little, though. “Oh, they’re going to get along great, and are you going to help me out with these terrible two?” she asks Rylee, who grins eagerly.
Mabel’s eyes flick between mine and Sebastian’s. “Run along, kids. We’re going to plan a double birthday party for these two.” She shuffles a little, causing the girls on her hips to laugh more. “Rylee’s going to help me, aren’t you?”
“Yay, party time,” she cheers.
We say our goodbyes, and Olive doesn’t even cry or reach for me. We walk outside the granny flat and into the early morning sunshine. “Wow, not how I expected it to go.” I breathe in.
“I know what you mean, but now I feel as though I’ve lost two limbs.”
I laugh and backhand him. “They’re right in that door. Do you want to get them back or go do something?”
He shoves his hands in his jean pockets and rocks back on his heels. “Let’s go crazy without our kids,” he jokes.
“How good are you at horseback riding?” I cock an eyebrow and try not to laugh as his face sobers up, the grin that was there a minute ago now gone.
Clearing his throat, he says, “I’m not experienced if that’s what you’re asking.”
