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“Yeah.” Trace raised the colorful carton. “Thanks. I am. Just got done working, and I’m parched.”
Parched?Had heeverused that word before? Apparently the awkwardness had forced his brain to malfunction.
Lilah’s stiff smile came again. “Do you want a snack? I’ve got cookies and apples.”
“Nah, I’m good. But thank you.”
Lilah turned to the stroller next to her. She adjusted the sunshade even though it looked to be fully covering Sofie. With a sippy cup and a baby doll in her lap, Sofie squeezed her chubby face into a smile and waved at Trace. He smiled and waved back. Then he plunged the tiny straw into his juice box and sucked down half the contents.
This was not what he wanted. He couldn’t have this weirdness between them. He had to talk to Lilah and explain what had gone through his mind last night.
Just then Sofie knocked her sippy cup from her lap. It bounced to the grass.
Trace knelt and picked it up. “You don’t want to be losing this.” He offered the cup to Sofie. She took hold and gave a happy squeal.
“What do you say to Trace, sweetie?” Lilah asked her daughter, nearly eye level with Trace. She was still bent over, messing with the sunshade.
Sofie held the sippy cup with both hands. “Tanks.” She couldn’t quite pronounce “th” sounds yet.
Trace smiled at her cuteness. “You’re very welcome,” he replied.
Lilah brushed Sofie’s blonde curls from her face and retrieved a small container from the bottom of the stroller, pulling it open to expose crackers and apple slices. With another squeal, the toddler zoned in on the snack, picked out a cracker, and started gnawing on it.
“Eat your apple slices too,” Lilah said. “They’re good for you.”
“Could we talk?” Trace asked quietly, still kneeling. “About last night.”
Lilah’s gaze bounced to his. Trace caught a flash of alarm behind her glasses.
“Really, it’s okay.” Lilah looked him straight in the eyes, though it seemed forced. “I meant it when I said that.”
“It doesn’t feel okay,” Trace replied. Could he get Lilah alone so they could have a real conversation? She probably didn’t want to talk while surrounded by football parents.
Lilah set a hand on his forearm. “I don’t want anything to change between us. Let’s just forget last night happened. Okay?”
Trace’s stomach dropped. Last night, he’d lost himself in a kiss sweeter than his imagination had ever pictured. He’d only pulled away when he felt her hesitation. In that moment, every doubt had raced back to him, and he wondered if he’d pushed Lilah too far. Now here she was confirming that he had.
He nodded half-heartedly. “Okay,” he agreed. He’d never forget last night, but he shouldn’t have kissed her. That wasn’t his place. Even if his heart wanted it to be so.Stupid, stubborn heart.
“Hey,” a woman called. Trace glanced over to find Frankie walking toward them. Her red ponytail spilled out from under a baseball hat, and she wore cowboy boots. Two of her three boys ran circles around her, playing tag. “Did you guys hear from Jesse?”
Trace wasn’t sure if he was thankful for Frankie’s interruption or resented it. Even though Lilah wanted to forget what happened, Trace didn’t feel right leaving things like that between them. They needed to have a conversation to clear the air.
“No, I haven’t.” Lilah stood. “I thought he was heading back from the rodeo tomorrow.”
“Actually, he and Evan got home today.” Frankie shooed her boys off, pointing to the group of kids Ben was playing with. “Go. Play. Run that sugar out of your system.” She looked at Trace and Lilah. “I probably shouldn’t have let them eat candy bars.” Frankie grimaced and shrugged.
Trace stood, wiping the dirt from his knee. “I thought Jesse and Evan weren’t leaving Nevada until tomorrow.” A pit formed in his stomach. Once Jesse was back, he’d start Blaze’s training, and Trace wouldn’t have a daily excuse to spend time with Lilah.
“Jesse caught some bug down there, so they decided to leave the rodeo a few days early.” Frankie waved at her oldest boy out on the field. “A bad flu. He sounded awful.”
“Oh no.” Lilah’s voice rose in concern. “How’s he doing now?”
“Not great. I guess Evan drove the trailer the entire way home because Jesse could barely keep his stomach contents in place.” Frankie scrunched her face up in disgust. “And he’s not feeling much better today.”
“That’s horrible,” Trace said, feeling guilty for thinking of his own wants when his friend was sick. “Do they need help taking care of their horses? Feeding or cleaning stalls?”
“Nah, Evan didn’t catch the bug. Not yet anyhow. And I can always run next door and help if they need it,” Frankie replied. “But that means Jesse won’t be able to start Blaze’s training until he’s back on his feet. Probably another week.”
