Page 12 of One Hot Summer

I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs gently wiping away the tears that have begun to fall. “Listen to me, Kelsie. You survived. You got out. That takes more strength than most people will ever know.”

She leans into my touch, her eyes closing briefly. When she opens them again, there's a vulnerability there that makes my chest tighten.

“I’m scared,” she whispers. “What if he tries to find me? What if-”

“He won’t,” I interrupt, my voice firm. “I won't let him hurt you again. You're safe here, Kels.”

Worry creeps into her eyes. “I don’t know if I can do this. Be here, with you and Collin. It’s not fair to you, to have to deal with all my baggage.”

My heart constrict at her words. “Look at me,” I say, waiting until her eyes meet mine. “You're not baggage. You're family. And family sticks together, no matter what.”

She stares at me for a long moment, and I can see the battle raging behind her eyes - the desire to believe me warring with the fear that's been her constant companion for so long.

Finally, she nods, letting out a shaky breath. “Okay.”

I pull her back into my arms, feeling her relax against me.

Kelsie's breathing eventually steadies, her fingers loosening their grip on my shirt. I want to hold her like this forever, to shield her from the world and all its cruelties. But I know that's not what she needs. She needs to find her own strength again, to remember the fierce, independent woman she is at her core.

“Hey,” I murmur, gently pulling back to look at her face. “How about some tea? It always helps Collin.”

A small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. “Are you comparing me to your seven-year-old son?”

I chuckle, relieved to see a glimmer of her usual spark. “Maybe. You're both pretty adorable when you're sleepy.”

She swats my arm playfully, but doesn't pull away. “Tea sounds nice.”

I lead her to the kitchen, my hand resting lightly on the small of her back.

“Carson,” she begins. “I-”

I turn to face her fully. “Yeah?”

She takes a deep breath, as if steeling herself. “I need you to know... I'm trying. To heal, to move forward. It's just... harder than I thought it would be.”

The kettle whistles, and I pour the hot water over the tea bags before responding. “Healing isn't linear, Kels,” I say, sliding a mug towards her. “There are good days and bad days.”

She takes a sip of her tea, then says, “I’ve missed this. Us. Just... being together.”

My heart swells at her words. “Me too. More than you know.”

Chapter Eight

Carson

Istand at the edge of the ranch. My hands tucked into my pockets, fingers fidgeting with loose threads as my mind whirls. My chest tightens. I want to be the one to make her smile without reservation, to chase away the shadows of loss that cling to her.

“Quite a view,” Liam says as he comes to stand beside me.

I nod. “Yeah, never gets old.”

Liam's friendship is one of the few things I can always count on.

“Penny for your thoughts?” he asks.

I hesitate. How can I explain the storm of emotions Kelsie stirs in me? The hope, the fear, the longing – all tangled up with the responsibilities I carry as a single father. Instead, I deflect. “Just... thinking about the ranch. All the work that needs doing. Life.”

Liam's knowing chuckle tells me he isn't fooled. “Sure, Carson. Because the fence lines are what's keeping you out here brooding as the sun goes down.”

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