Page 16 of Wrangled Love

“You too. Don’t drool over Daddy Jensen too hard,” she calls out, her voice carrying enough to turn a few heads.

I lower my gaze, hoping no one notices the warm flush spreading across my cheeks. Charlie’s only teasing, and there’s no chance I’d ever let my attraction to Jensen interfere with his and Caleb’s time here. I’m sure by tomorrow, I’ll have moved on and will be busy fantasizing about someone else.

As I step outside, my thoughts drift to Caleb. I wonder how his first day in Bluebell is going. Mama Julie was supposed to give him and Jensen a tour of the school today before the summer program kicks off tomorrow. It’s surreal to think they’ll both be at the house tonight. After living alone for so long, it’ll be an adjustment—but my heart goes out to Jensen and Caleb, and I’ll do everything I can to help them feel at home.

“Are you sure Caleb will be okay by himself?” I ask.

Julie looks up from the stack of papers she’s sifting through. “He’s not alone. The two camp counselors outside will keep an eye on him.” She walks around her desk to stand next to me at the window. “Caleb’s gone through a lot, but he’s resilient. It might take him some time to engage with the other kids, but he’ll warm up to them eventually. Like the therapist said, if watching them from a distance makes him feel safe, that’s perfectly okay.”

We’re at the elementary school for an open house, and Julie was kind enough to drive us and give us a private tour. She’s briefed the camp staff on Caleb’s situation, and in the few interactions he’s had so far, they’ve gone out of their way to make him feel at ease and included.

While we were outside earlier, he was intrigued by a group of kids on the playground and stayed put when I asked if he wanted to come to Julie’s office with us. Now I’ve officially enteredhelicopter parent status—eyes glued to him through the window, ready to swoop in if he needs me.

Caleb remains standing on the edge of the playground but has moved closer to the sandbox where a few kids are playing. I watch as he takes a tentative step forward but then hesitates, pulling back like he’s decided against getting closer.

“It’s hard not to feel like I’m letting him down by leaving him out there. What if the other kids start bullying him when they find out he doesn’t speak?”

Julie gives my arm a reassuring squeeze. “I wouldn’t have recommended you move to Bluebell if I didn’t believe it was the best place for him. Once he gets into the swing of things and starts meeting with his new therapist, he’ll find his footing.”

I know she’s right, but my instinct is to keep Caleb in a protective bubble, away from anything that could hurt him. Part of me wonders if we should’ve stayed in New York and hired private tutors and nannies to come to the house so he wouldn’t have to socialize. It’s not a practical solution, but that hasn’t stopped it from crossing my mind.

I sigh. “Why does everything have to be so complex?”

Julie gives me a knowing smile. “Welcome to parenthood, where second-guessing every decision is a full-time job. It doesn’t end, even when your kids get older. If anything, it only intensifies.”

“Fantastic,” I deadpan.

I’m glad I get to spend a lifetime overthinking every decision regarding my son. Exactly what every new parent wants to hear.

“What happens when I make a mistake?”

“Every parent does, more than they’d like to admit, but kids forgive easily. All they want is to feel loved and safe.”

“I love Caleb,” I state.

More than I thought possible in such a short amount of time.

We have a long summer ahead, but I’m committed to proving he belongs with me long-term. I’ll move heaven and earth tomake it happen, because now that I have him, there’s no way I could ever let him go.

“He’s lucky to have you,” Julie says with conviction. “We’ll get through this, I promise.”

Moments like this remind me why I love her and the Halstead family. They were there when my parents gambled away their life savings, and we had to move into the trailer park. Julie converted her sewing room into a bedroom so I could have a peaceful place to study and sleep when my parents’ arguments became too chaotic at our place. Even after being gone for fourteen years, the Halsteads still treat me like one of their own, and I’ll forever be grateful.

“How was your first night at the cottage?” Julie asks, making me appreciate the change in topic. “It’s definitely a fixer-upper. The plan is to renovate the space and turn it into another rental, but Briar is determined to do it herself, and it’s taking longer than she’d like. Between the cabins and her volunteer work, she hasn’t been able to give it much attention.”

“Yeah, she mentioned that yesterday. Sounds like she’s got her hands full. But even though it’s an older house, she maintains it well.” I glance over at Julie, who’s listening intently. “She went out of her way to give Caleb’s room a makeover to surprise him when we arrived.”

Unlike his remodeled room, mine is bare bones with an old twin mattress, a rickety nightstand, and pastel pink wallpaper that appears to be original to the house. I rub my neck, remembering my uncomfortable night on a lumpy mattress. It’s a drastic change from the memory foam bed at my penthouse. The grandfather clock in the hallway chimed every fifteen minutes, each one dragging me further from rest.

Even with my lack of sleep, I realize in hindsight that Briar’s gesture meant more than I gave her credit for. Last night, I couldn’t help but wonder if Caleb would have opened up more if I’d beenthe one to hang up the wallpaper or install the shelf of books. But now I understand that it’s not a competition. The whole reason I came to Bluebell was to have a support system. Not to prove that I can do it all alone. If the past week has taught me anything, it’s that I can’t.

Julie takes a seat on the edge of her desk. “That sounds like Briar. She has a soft spot for kids, and I’m sure she was just trying to make the change feel less overwhelming for him.” I lean against the wall with my arms folded, unwilling to move from the window and lose sight of Caleb. “One thing you’ll learn quickly is that it takes a village to raise a child,” she says, holding my gaze. “You may want to handle it all yourself, but it’s okay to accept help. It doesn’t mean you love Caleb any less.”

I swipe a hand across my face. “He’s still guarded around me, and it threw me off to see how quickly he warmed up to Briar.”

The thought’s crossed my mind that he might be more at ease with her because she’s a woman. His mom raised him, and from what I know, she wasn’t in a serious relationship during the past five years. It makes sense he’d be wary of me, but that doesn’t make it sting any less.

“I’m afraid he’ll decide he doesn’t want me as his dad and beg not to stay with me after the summer.” It’s my biggest fear.

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