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“Oh. That’s a shame, I really would like to see it.” That earned her another growl, then her phone chimed with an incoming text message. “How did you do that while we were talking?”
“It’s the twenty-first century, sweetheart.”
She pulled the phone away from her ear. Kyle’s glowering face stared at her, bare need radiating off his digital image.
“You look...hungry. Like a wolf.”
“Are you my Little Red Riding Hood?”
She sucked in another breath, and he chuckled. “I think you just might be. Listen, I need to get back inside, but...”
“It’s okay. I’ll talk to you later.” Laney held the phone to her chest for a long while after they hung up.
Kyle returned to the kitchen table and avoided his brother’s questioning look as he reached for the mashed potatoes.
“What are you kids doing tomorrow night?” Kyle’s parents were going to babysit his niece and nephew so Ian and Carrie could ring in the New Year in style.
“We’re going to the winery,” Carrie said. “Kyle, do you want drive together? We can share a cab home, then it’s just one car to go back and fetch in the morning.”
He shifted in his seat. He’d anticipated explaining his absence to Ty, but not his family. He stared at his sister-in-law, willing her to not ask any questions. “Actually, I have other plans.”
“Do they involve a smokin’ hot doctor?” It would be Ian that would cause problems, of course. Carrie pursed her lips together, holding in a laugh, as her husband turned to explain to his parents. “Kyle’s wrapped around the Laney axle again.”
Kyle surged to his feet, his cutlery clattering against his plate as his chair skidded out behind him. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, so shut up.”
“Kyle! Little ears, first of all.” His father didn’t need to raise his voice to make it clear he was displeased. “And second of all, sit your ass down in the chair and don’t be disrespecting your mother.”
Six year old Kaylie giggled, and shrugged when Carrie gave her the stink eye. “What? Papa said ass. And Uncle Kyle said—”
“We all know what he said. Eat your dinner.” Kyle’s mother looked down the table. “Kyle, do you want to share something?”
He shrugged. “Not yet.”
“Are you going to get hurt over this?” Eleanor Nixon never pulled her punches.
“Maybe. The odds are pretty even, I guess.”
“Do you love her?”
Kyle lifted his head and looked his mother in the eye. “I think the first person that should hear those words is Laney, don’t you?”
Across the table, Carrie pressed her hand to her chest and smiled. She shared a private look with her mother-in-law, then changed the subject.
Chapter 17
It had been three days since she’d left Wardham. Probably time to call her mom.
She’d woken Claire and Evie to say goodbye and explain her sudden departure, and left a sticker covered note for Connor and Max. Evie had sent a photo of them making a doctor snowman later that day, but Laney still hadn’t talked to anyone at the farm. Her mom knew the drill, and they didn’t usually talk more than once a week, but...it wasn’t just about being a good daughter, either. Laney hoped that talking to her mom might help her figure out what to do about her mess of unsettled feelings. Yes, it was time to call her mom. Time to call Kyle as well. She winced. They hadn’t texted or spoken again since last night. He was putting the ball in her court, and she was watching it dribble along the ground.
She tucked that pang of regret away for the moment. She only had a couple of minutes before her hair appointment. Only enough time for a mom, not enough time for a guy.
Claire picked up on the first ring. They exchanged brief updates on the last few days, then Laney dove in. “Kyle sent me a package. He told me he asked you for my address.”
“That arrived quickly.”
“I don’t think he made it himself. It was a gift basket type of thing.”
“I hope I did the right thing.” Claire’s voice ached with worry, and Laney quickly reassured her it was fine.
