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But Gracie was right there. She stood at his side, her palm on his back. “Hey.” Her voice was soft, unbearably sweet. “Are you okay?”
A kindness he didn’t deserve. “Yeah. Fine.” He wanted to leave, get the fuck away, but he couldn’t move. “I’ll let you get back to it.” He was still in panic mode, his heart racing, his palms damp.
“Jaime.” Her kindness poured all over his body, seeping into the cuts and slashes and gaping wounds. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. It’s fine. I should get back home.”
She stepped in front of him, cupped his cheeks with hands that smelled like pie crust, and forced him to look at her. And then, she smiled. Soft, warm, comforting. “You’re a great dad. You’re doing such a good job with her.”
He shuddered. He wanted to draw her close, hold on to her. He wanted her sweetness to wash through him, flushing out the jagged bits.
Somehow, she knew what he needed, because she took a step closer, winding her arms around his waist. “I got you. I’m here.”
A cool breeze chilled the perspiration, waking him up. He held on as if his life depended on it. He didn’t know why this happened to him, but when it did, he took inventory.
Kinny’s tucked in bed, sleeping peacefully.
She’s good. Everything’s fine.
But nothing felt right at all.
Grace…she was pushing, prodding, loosening the locks he kept bolted. He didn’t like losing control. What was it about her that unearthed all the doubts and insecurities, the fears and self-loathing? Nightmares he could deal with. They only impacted him. He could wake up, shake them off, and go on about his day.
But falling apart like this? When he had responsibilities? He couldn’t afford to do that.
Still, he held on, taking strength from a woman who was a full nine inches shorter and a hundred pounds lighter. Only when something on the stove boiled over and sizzled did he pull away and release her.
But she didn’t go anywhere. She gazed up at him with an expression that said,Go ahead and fall. I’m here to catch you.
And he’d never wanted to let go as badly as he did in this moment.
But he couldn’t. He had a daughter to think about. Brothers, a sister, his parents, this ranch…
Irritated with himself, he pushed past her, headed for the burner, and turned off the flame. “Sorry. I fucked that up for you.” He sure as shit didn’t need to fall apart in front of this woman who was only here to make money this summer.
“It’s nothing but a simple syrup. It doesn’t matter.” She turned her back to the counter and hoisted herself up. “I don’t think you’re upset about Kinsley.”
The flashback lingered, and he didn’t see the point in lying. “No.”
“Who do you talk to?”
“I’m close with my family. We talk all the time.”
“But not about Booker’s accident, right? I get the feeling you’re so ashamed of what happened that you don’t talk to anyone.”
The stab of truth had him looking away.
“You’re working so hard to prove you’re not that guy anymore, but have you stopped for a second to see the man you’ve become? You were eighteen when it happened. Ten years and a child change a man. Maybe you could give yourself a break.”
She didn’t understand. She couldn’t. She’d never stolen someone’s dream. “Yeah, sure. Good point.”
With a dramatic sigh, she rolled her eyes. “You know, instead of keeping everything inside, you could talk to me. I’m a safe choice.”
“Oh, yeah?”There’s nothing safe about you. “How’s that?”
“Because I’m leaving soon. You can bare your soul, tell me all your fears and worries, and then never have to see me again.”
The idea of losing her gave his stomach a sickening twist.
