Page 14 of One Hot Summer

The sudden creak of a floorboard behind me alerts me. I recognize the sound immediately – Carson's boots on the old wooden floor. My body tenses instinctively, and I turn slightly, angling my face away from the door. I wipe away the tear tracks on my cheeks.

“Kelsie?” His deep voice is soft. “Everything alright?”

I plaster on a smile and turn to face him. “Oh, hey Carson. I was just…”

But as our eyes meet, I see a flicker of concern in those piercing blue depths.

I swallow hard. “It's nothing, really. Just a small hiccup with some paperwork.” The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but the instinct to protect myself, to not be a burden, is too ingrained.

Carson's brow furrows, his eyes never leaving mine. “Kelsie,” he says, taking a step closer. “I may not be the smartest cowboy in these parts, but I can tell when something's weighing on you.”

His perceptiveness catches me off guard. I hesitate, my fingers absently tracing the grain of the wooden windowsill. “It's... it's the insurance claim. There's been a delay. They're saying…” I trail off, the words sticking in my throat. “They're saying they need investigate it further. That it could take weeks to sort out.” The reality of my situation hits even harder as I tell him and my eyes begin to sting with fresh tears.

I glance up at Carson, expecting to see pity or frustration. Instead, I see a flicker of something else. Carson takes a step closer. He didn't crowd me, but his proximity offers a subtle comfort I crave.

“I may not have all the answers, but I'm here. Whatever you need, however long it takes.”

I watch his hands, calloused from years of ranch work, as they rest on the countertop. Those hands speak of strength, of a man who faces challenges head-on. Yet there is a tenderness in the way his fingers curl slightly, as if ready to reach out but respecting my space.

My gaze drifts to his face, taking in the set of his jaw, the tiny wrinkles at the corners of his eyes that hint at both laughter and worry. In that moment, I see beyond the rugged cowboy exterior to the caring father, the man who understands loss and the importance of having someone to lean on.

“I don't know what to do,” I confess, my voice catching. “Everything feels so... useless.”

Carson's blue eyes meet mine, steady and reassuring. “We'll figure it out, day by day.”

A warmth blooms in my chest. The corners of my mouth lift in a small, genuine smile. “Thank you.”

While my future remains uncertain, I have found an unexpected anchor in this quiet, steadfast man.

“Now, what do you say about coming and hanging out with the horses? I could teach you a thing or two? I hate for you to holed up in this house all day.”

Chapter Ten

Carson

Iwipe sweat from my brow, stealing a glance at Kelsie as she braids a horse's mane. A low rumble of tires on gravel catches my attention. “You expecting anyone?” I ask, moving towards the barn door.

Kelsie shakes her head, her chestnut hair catching the light. “No, not me. You?”

I squint against the sun's glare, making out a sedan pulling up to the ranch house. “Nope.”

As the car door opens, Kelsie steps up beside me. A woman emerges, her movements self-assured and deliberate. Long, curly red hair cascades down her back, seeming to catch fire in the late day sun. A knot forms in my gut as recognition dawns. Claire. What the hell is she doing here? I clench my jaw, willing myself to stay calm.

“You know her?” Kelsie asks.

I nod. My mind races, recalling the last time I saw Claire – at the funeral. The memory of her cold eyes and cutting words threatens to overwhelm me.

“Carson?” Kelsie's gentle touch on my arm brings me back to the present. “Are you okay?”

I force a smile, hoping it looks more convincing than it feels. “Yeah, I'm fine. Just... surprised, is all.” I take a deep breath. “Let's go see what she wants.”

As we step out of the barn, I stride towards Claire, my boots kicking up small clouds of dust with each step. The closer I get, the more my muscles tense, as if my body is preparing for a fight.

As Claire turns to face me. My shoulders stiffen involuntarily.

“Carson,” Claire says.

“Claire,” I manage, the word coming out rougher than I intend. “It's been a while.”

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