Page 44 of Where We Call Home

What if he got tired of me? What if he decided he didn’t want the responsibility anymore? The idea of being vulnerable—of putting the baby and myself at his mercy—was paralyzing.

“I see your mind spinning.” Mom’s tone was gentle but firm. “I know I’m not great with emotions, so let’s focus on logic first. What’s your mind telling you?”

I exhaled slowly, organizing my thoughts. “It’s the smart choice. Moving in with Rhodes would save me money. His house is close to you. The baby would have her own room, and the house has everything I’ve been looking for.”

“But?” she prompted.

“But it also comes with that cute boy,” I said, tears welling up. “And I’m scared it’ll end badly.”

“Which brings us to the emotions,” Mom sighed and stood, pulling me into a hug. It was the same as when I was a kid—no words, just her arms around me, telling me without saying anything that she was there.

“I wish Dad were here,” I whispered through the tears.

“Me too,” she murmured, holding me tighter.

If Dad were here, he and Mom would sit me down, breaking everything apart from every angle. Dad would bring the emotional wisdom; Mom, the logical clarity. Together, they’d balance each other perfectly.

“I know I don’t do emotions well,” Mom said, pulling back to look at me. “But if I can give you one piece of advice? Follow your gut. I think you already know what you’re going to do. You just needed someone to give you permission to trust yourself.”

The moment Rhodes asked, I knew my answer. I just hadn’t let myself admit it. Finding a stable, secure home was what I needed, for myself and the baby. I trusted Rhodes because something about him felt steady and safe, kind of like my dad.

Maybe this was my dad’s way of telling me to take this leap of faith, to trust the man who’d been through some shit himself and never turned away.

Eighteen

Isat with my feet propped on the couch, my sweatshirt hood pulled snug around my face. Most nights, I was alone. It used to bother me, but now the quiet felt like an old companion. Loneliness had shifted into something softer, something I could live with. I wasn’t truly isolated; I had people, if I wanted them. All I had to do was ask.

The TV was on, flickering in the background, but I wasn’t paying attention. I couldn’t tell you a single thing about what was playing.

The deep ache in my muscles had my full focus. Work today had been long and brutal, leaving me sore in ways I didn’t think were possible.

The Cassidys were talking about expanding, eyeing the adjacent land for more pasture. Boone decided we should start clearing the woodline, prepping for a deal that wasn’t even signed yet.

I didn’t ask why we were putting in the work before anything was official. Boone was the boss, and questioning him wasn’t my place. If I had to guess, he was trying to prove to his dad he was ready to take on more responsibility.

I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about what it might mean if Boone stepped into his father’s role. A small part of me dared to hope that I’d be next in line to lead the crew. Mentally, I felt ready for it.

Stretching, I sat up and raised an arm above my head, only to have a sharp twinge shoot down to my fingertips. I winced. This soreness wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

I needed to move, even though my body protested with every step. Pushing myself off the couch, my legs were stiff, and I couldn’t hold back the groan that escaped. It turned into a laugh, though, as I thought about the fact that I’d be doing it all over again tomorrow.

Just as I straightened, my phone buzzed on the couch. Bending down despite my aching body’s objections, I grabbed it.

Theo’s name flashed across my screen.

It had been a day since I asked her to move in with me. As the hours passed, I spent my time waiting anxiously to hear her decision. I knew it wasn’t easy, so I tried not to pressure her.

“Rhodes Dunn’s office. How can I help you?” I answered, trying to sound more cheerful than I felt.

Theo let out a breathy laugh, the sound warming my chest. “Hey, do you have a minute to talk?”

I’d make the time if I had to.

I pinned the phone between my ear and shoulder, heading toward my bedroom. “I’m not busy. Do you want me to come pick you up so we can talk in person?”

Theo sputtered, her words tangling into a mix of sounds. “What? Um, no, that’s not necessary. I’m in my pajamas. I’ll make it quick.”

“Are you trying to let me down easy, Honey?” The nickname slipped out again, unbidden.

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