Page 86 of The Backup Bride Proposal

“You feeling okay, Dad?” James asked.

“Oh, yeah. Fine. Just a little tired these days.” He gave another cough for effect.

Kane tried not to roll his eyes. His grandfather was the picture of health, could outwork him on the best of days and would likely outlive him.

Kane’s dad looked concerned. “That cough doesn’t sound good. Have you seen a doctor?”

“I have. He said it’s just the dust or something. And I’m old.”

“You should think about slowing down.”

Grandpa laughed. “I’ll slow down when I’m dead, kid. How are you?”

“I’m good. Work’s kicking my butt, so you know, the usual. But I’m up for a promotion, so it’s worth the effort.”

“Uh-huh.”

Donna laid plates in front of them. Absently, Kane picked up one half of the sandwich and devoured it, then the pickle, digging his fork into the salad without even looking, his attention focused on his dad.

Physically, his father looked okay. He’d lost some weight, but he didn’t look unhealthy, so that part was good. But there was a hollowness to his eyes that Kane couldn’t figure out. Sadness? Unhappiness? Stress? What did any of that look like? He didn’t know, and for all he did know he could be totally off base. Maybe Dad was just overworked and tired and needed some rest. A few days on the ranch might help.

They’d talk. Everything would be okay. And then he could stop worrying about his dad and everything would go back to normal.

••••••

The longer theysat at the table and talked, Mae saw the way Kane’s shoulders dropped, saw the tension leave his body.

His father had said all the right things about how he was fine, how great things were. The problem was, Mae didn’t quite believe him.

Sure, she didn’t know him, like at all. But there was something about his eyes, the way they shifted down every time he said something positive, that made her think he wasn’t being truthful.

After they cleared the table, Kane’s dad and grandpa went outside for a walk, Donna cleaned up the kitchen and Tess headed outside to go back to work.

“You going to work outside?” Mae asked Kane.

He nodded. “Want to come with me?”

“Sure.” It would give her a chance to have a conversation with Kane.

They walked outside toward one of the barns. They saddled two of the horses and climbed on, heading out on one of the paths on a slow pace to exercise these beauties.

When Kane pulled up alongside her, she asked, “So, how’s your dad?”

“He’s good. I think. I need to sit down with him and talk, figure out what’s been going on. But he seems okay.”

“Kane, I…I mean, I don’t know him, but he seems…unhappy.”

Kane slanted a frown as he looked her way. “Why would you say that? You don’t know him.”

“I know. I don’t know how to explain it, other than I can see it in his eyes.”

“Nah. You don’t know what you’re talking about. I know him, okay? You don’t. Trust me when I say he’s fine.”

She didn’t want to argue with him about his dad. Maybe she was wrong and those shadows she’d seen on his face hadn’t been real. After all, Kane was right. He did know his father better than she did. So she’d wait it out and see. He’d talk to his dad. Then he’d talk to her and let her know.

Hopefully, everything would be all right.

And if it wasn’t, she’d be there for Kane in whatever way he needed her.

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