Page 26 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bargain

A grin pulls at his lined mouth, and he takes his seat next to Davey. I take mine on the other side, sticking my finger into the cocoa to test the temperature, but it’s perfect.

The old man knew exactly what to do.

I watch him as he takes a sip of his coffee, gnarled hands wrapped around the mug shaking slightly. My gaze immediately drifts to the slightly blue tint to his nails that wasn’t visible from across the living room.

No…

Could it really be that simple?

Hope floods my chest in a tidal wave that threatens to bring tears, but I try to force my voice to stay level. “Mr. James, can I ask you a question?”

He swallows and sets down his mug. “Please, call me Pops. Everyone does.”

I smile and nod, taking a sip of my own coffee even though I don’t drink it anymore since finding out I was pregnant again. “Do you have any feeling of pins and needles in your hands and feet at all?”

His astute gaze narrows on me. “Why do you ask?”

Be delicate…

“I noticed you were a little unsteady coming out of the other room. Sometimes that happens when you have that feeling in your feet.”

Pops rubs his stubbled jaw, looking up at the wood ceiling beams. “Now that you mention it, I do have that feeling sometimes.” He releases a little chuckle. “Don’t tell Dalton, but I’m getting old.”

I laugh and take another sip of the coffee I don’t intend to finish. “I won’t. It’ll be our little secret.”

Davey grins with chocolate across his face. “Can I be part of the secret?”

That draws both of our attention his way, and I exchange a knowing look with Pops.

A four-year-old is thelastperson to trust with anything you want kept confidential.

Pops chuckles low. “Guess I shouldn’t have said that in front of the kid…” He grins over his mug before he takes another sip. “Why did Dalton bring you down here, anyway? To help clean up the place?”

I glance around at the immaculate kitchen and out to the clean living room I saw when I came in. “Doesn’t seem like you need any help in that regard.”

He waves a dismissive hand. “Dalton always fusses about taking care of everything.”

“From what I hear, you’re busy with the businesses.”

Pops nods. “That does take up most of my time.”

For the briefest moment, I almost consider mentioning our inability to pay the rent. It’s been months since he came to collect, and even if hehadshown up, I wouldn’t have had it to give him. Dave always kept things running so smoothly on the homestead, including taking in horses to train—which he was so damn good at—to ensure we had an income. With him gone, I don’t have any way to replace that or ensure I can stay on their land.

But what Dalton said about his grandfather getting upset whenever he mentions the slipping memory leads me to bite my tongue instead.

“We stopped by because Davey needed to see someplace new. We’ve been up at our property alone for a while…”

Pops grins and ruffles Davey’s hair as he happily sips his cocoa. “Well, I’m sure we can find some things to entertain him today.”

As much as I may have wanted to do this all on my own, knowing Dalton is here, offering anything we need, and seeing Pops interact with Davey has renewed that bloom of hope.

There might actually be a chance I can stay in the only place Davey has ever known as home, and I might actually be able to help Pops and Dalton the way they are us.

* * *

DALTON

By the time I return to the cabin as the sun goes down, even walking up the two treads to the porch sends so much pain shooting through my back and legs that I have to grit my teeth and force myself to take the final few steps to reach the front door.

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