Page 66 of The Rogue

“She left you.”

“I wish she did. It would have been easier. She…did the same thing I was doing when I met her. Checked in on me and Jackson, played mom and housewife like it was work rather than life, then…”

“Then what?”

I feel him shrug behind me. “Found her own outlet. Someone she felt free with.”

I grow cold. “I’m so sorry.”

“I didn’t mind it.Thatpart I should have predicted. But Jackson needed a mom. I could see the question in his eyes. The sadness. It was before he could form words that she kept disappearing." He pauses. "Thankfully, I had my brothers and Dad to help while I worked on building this place. A future for us.”

“You’ve done amazing with him.” My voice cracks, and he leans in, his stubbled face brushing behind my ear.

“You alright?”

I nod. My heart feels heavy for both of them, but there’s no good reason for it because they’re just fine. “Thanks for sharing.”

His voice shifts to something more resigned. “You’re his nanny. You should know where he’s coming from.”

“Can I ask why the supervised visits?”

“That was difficult to get. Once I gained full custody, I didn’t allow as many house visits because it gave Jackson empty promises. She kept telling him she’d be back soon. Promised him we’d be a family. After a few times of watching him wait by the door for her to never show, I took her back to court to set limits on her visits and what she’s allowed to say.”

“Poor kid.”

“I don’t feel sorry for him anymore. Especially after their last few visits.”

“What’s different about them now?”

He considers it for a moment. “She’s more like a distant relative he’s forced to see once a month. He doesn’t trust her. He knows she’s his mother and has an idea of why she’s not with us, but once we’re out of there, he’s his old self again.”

“Out of where?”

“The town bakery. I don’t let her in our house. And we don't meet at the Inn because I don't want to associate that place with something he doesn't enjoy doing.”

A breath is released from my lungs. I’m no mother but I’ll never take Levi letting me into his home for granted. I’ll be everything I can for that little boy for the rest of the summer.

He can trust me. They both can.

And I’d never make a promise I didn't intend to keep.

I’d never make a promise,period.

After sunrise, we bring the horse back to the stables and ride back to the house on the tractor. Harry is in the same seat we left him, but now there’s breakfast on the counter. All made up of items from the fridge and cupboards that the cowboy seems to have pulled together.

Jackson is cozy on the couch, watching a vicious-looking cartoon and eating a bowl of cereal.

“Oh no, I’m late for work,” I mumble, pulling the afghan off.

Levi catches it from behind my shoulders, his breath on my neck. “Knew you’d be trouble.”

I quiver from the heat—the possibilities of it.

The clouds outside the windows turn dark as thunder rolls in the distance. Levi switches on the floor lamp in the corner, casting a warm glow that gives the room a cozy summer morning vibe.

“Second time this week,” Harry says, sipping on his coffee.

Levi moves to the sliding doors. “Looks like we just made it.”

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