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“It took a while.” Patience and giving her space. “And honestly the carrots are what won her over.” He held up the bag, which only had a few left now. “I basically bribed her to like me.”
Tess shook her head, a small smile gracing her lips. “I tried carrots last night and she wanted nothing to do with them.” Sure enough, the closer Tess got to the horse, the farther Legacy paced away.
“Would you mind offering her another carrot?” the woman asked, giving the horse some space.
“Sure.” Silas rustled through the bag and held one out on his palm again. It took a few minutes, but Legacy eventually sidled up to him to eat while Tess sneakily approached and inspected her wound.
“No signs of infection so far. But we have to stay on top of it.” She let herself out of the gate and came to stand by Silas. “Hey, about yesterday when we picked up the girls… I hope Morgan didn’t make you feel too bad.”
“Nah,” he lied. He’d only thought about their conversation all night—about the things he should’ve said, the many ways he’d failed in trying to make the girl feel better. Everything he’d said only seemed to make her feel worse.
“She would’ve reacted that way with anyone, Silas.” Tess faced him, those brown eyes of hers unfathomably deep. “She was upset. Preteen girls come with a fair amount of emotions.”
“And I didn’t help the situation.” That had been clear even to Willow.
“You’re wrong.” Tess laid her hand on his shoulder.
Silas closed his eyes for the briefest second trying to steady himself against the temptation her touch brought. He could turn to her fully right now, take her in his arms and hold her close and kiss her. But he wouldn’t.
“She told me last night before bed that she felt bad about the way she’d treated you.” The woman dropped her hand back to her side. “She actually mentioned something about calling you stupid while I was in the school?”
“She didn’t callmestupid. She calledwhat I saidstupid.” And she’d been right anyway. Instead of offering dumb solutions, he should’ve simply listened to her. He could’ve offered her some sympathy. Maybe he should’ve hugged her. That’s probably what a father would’ve done.
“Well, she’d like to apologize to you sometime.” Tess grinned at him. “I told her you were pretty tough and could handle a few rude comments.”
He could handle the rude comments. But he’d made it clear he couldn’t handle children. “I didn’t know what to say. I panicked.” He’d never panicked before. When Morgan or Willow cried, he’d always been ready with a goofy face or a funny dance, but this time he’d wanted to offer more. Because as much as he tried to ignore it, this stubborn hope still hid underneath all of his doubts. Maybe someday he could be the kind of man who was worthy of a family. So he’d tried to help, to make things better… and he’d failed.
“I really appreciate you trying,” Tess said, seeming oblivious to his inner turmoil. “That’s what my girls need. People who try. People who will be there. I can’t do this on my own. All of you are an important part of their lives. Especially since Jace is gone.”
“I’m happy to try.” Even though he’d likely always fail. “But you should know you really are doing an amazing job with them.” He saw how she loved her daughters, how she always knew what they needed, how she’d given up on anything she wanted for herself to be who they needed her to be. If he’d had a mother like Tess, he might be a different man. He might not be so useless when it came to relationships. He might know something about how to love someone else.
“Some days I feel like I’m an okay mom.” Her smile weakened. “And some days I feel… well, to put it in Morgan’s terms, stupid. I just hope you won’t be afraid to try again. If you have wisdom to share with her.”
“I won’t be afraid.” But he wouldn’t be around to share much with Morgan and Willow soon anyway. Last night, he’d talked to his buddy more about the contract gig. They wouldn’t be ready to move on this thing for a month. That should give him plenty of time to fulfill his promise to Tess. After that, he’d be on his way to Afghanistan. The mission would give him the time and space to get his head back on straight. He wasn’t sure how to tell Tess that though. He’d have to find a better time. Right now he had to get to work. “I’d better head over to Kyra’s. Get started on that outbuilding she wants done. I’ll see you around.” He turned to walk away.
Within a few steps, Tess caught up to him. “Before you go, I wanted to let you know I asked Louie and Minnie if we could hold the town meeting about the shooting situation at the café tomorrow night. They’re happy to host.”
“Great. I’ll be there.” He parted ways with her and when he glanced back over his shoulder, he caught Tess watching him walk away. Could she tell something was off? Could she tell he had a hard time standing next to her, looking into her eyes? Probably. He’d never been good at pretending. That’s why he’d go back to avoiding her, only spending time with her when other people were around to provide a distraction.
Silas climbed into his truck and drove away, trying to figure out how to tell Thatch and Aiden about his intention to work for Fletch. It was time.
When he reached Kyra’s property, Aiden and Thatch were already setting up the tools. The outbuilding’s foundation had been laid by the concrete guys two weeks ago and now they could start the framing. Not his favorite part of the job, but at least they’d be busy when he told them he was leaving.
“There you are.” Aiden fiddled with an extension cord attached to their generator and plugged in the table saw. “I thought you’d beat us out here this morning since you’ve been so bored and everything.”
Silas pulled his tool belt out of his truck. “I stopped to see Legacy on my way.” And Tess too. He might not be able to spend time with her, but that didn’t stop him from thinking about her. How beautiful she’d looked in her bright blue coat with the morning sun beaming on her face and making her eyes shine…
“Or were you having some secret rendezvous with your mystery woman?” Aiden crossed his arms and leaned against his tailgate. “Did she finally call you back or what?”
Well, hell. And he thought they’d let this go. He should’ve known better. These two loved to give him shit.
“It was Kyra’s friend from nursing school, wasn’t it?” His friend wore a cocky smirk. “Eliana?”
“It had to be,” Thatch agreed, walking over to join them. “Come on, bro. Spill it. Did you hook up with her again last night?”
“It doesn’t matter who I hooked up with at the party.” He’d promised Tess no one would ever find out about them, and there was only one way to get them off the trail. “Because I won’t be sticking around here long enough to start a relationship with any mystery woman.”
Aiden bolted upright. “I’m sorry. What?”
