Page 36 of More Than a Helping Hand

CHAPTER14

ANDERSON

Iroll out of bed before the crack of dawn and tackle the chores that need to be done in the barn. Parker and I will both be helping with the move, and while Archer said he’d cover for us in the barn, I don’t want to leave him with a long list of things to do.

Goldie has breakfast tacos waiting for us in the mess hall, so it’s easy to grab a few on my way home. I need a shower before I head over to Parker’s parents’ house. And I need to pick up donuts. Or at least I want to.

Stuffing my face with tacos, I drive back to my cabin. I’m nervous about meeting her family. Especially since they know we’re secretly dating. Clearly, it’s less of a secret now. But I don’t plan to share the news with anyone else. Parker and Dallas both know. And I should probably mention Dallas to Primrose, just to be open and honest. She’s skittish as it is, and I don’t want to give her any reason to run.

After a quick shower, I throw on shorts and a T-shirt. The shirt’s a bit tight, but that’s a calculated choice.

Before pulling away from the cabin, I text Primrose. Her contact isn’t labelednurseanymore because drawing attention to that fact could spark a connection in Parker’s brain, and I don’t want that to happen. And since he knows we’re going out, her name is now on the contact.

Me:What kind of donuts do your parents like?

Primrose:You don’t have to bring donuts.

Me:Bringing donuts has already been decided. What kind is the only thing up in the air.

Primrose:They like the donuts with holes in the middle.

Me:They are my kind of people. See you soon.

Layla is working the counter at the donut shop and smiles when I walk in. “Buying donuts for your sister today?”

“Not today. I’m helping someone move.” I stare at the case, struggling to make a decision.

Lettie leans out of the kitchen. “Morning, Anderson!”

“Hey there!” I bite my tongue before asking if she’s feeling okay. I know she’s expecting, but that’s not public information. All these secrets are hard to keep. “Okay, so I want two dozen of surprise me, and then another dozen with four of those, four of this kind, and the rest these.” I’m pointing at the glass case, as I give instructions.

Layla fills the box with the donuts I specifically chose, then props her hands on her hips. “You should cover your eyes if you want to be surprised. If you see what I choose, how is that a surprise?”

I’ve asked them to surprise me multiple times, and this is a first. Never before has she told me to cover my eyes. But. Heck. Why shouldn’t I? With my hands over my eyes, I turn around. “Happy?”

Layla roars with laughter. “I didn’t think you’d actually do it.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I slip it out.

Primrose:Any chance you could bring me a coffee? We ran out. And I cannot face today without it.

Me:Ask and ye shall receive.

“Add coffee to that order. Do you sell it in anything bigger than a cup?”

“We just got in some new thermoses with our logo on them. I figure that’s like three cups.” She chuckles. “You don’t have to stay facing the door. Grab the thermos you want, and I’ll have Lettie wash it out for you in the kitchen.”

Staring at the wall of merchandise, I slip my phone back out.

Me:What’s your favorite color?

Primrose:Blue

I love that she sends an answer without inquiring why I’m asking such random questions. After today, I won’t need two thermoses, so I’ll get one for me and another for her. I pick out a pretty blue one and a black one. I hand them over to get washed. Then I fill a paper cup with coffee because an extra seems like a good idea.

It takes me two trips to get everything out to my truck. But once it’s all loaded, I make the half-hour trip to the Fields’ house. One good thing about this move is that now Primrose will be closer to me.

As I pull up along the curb, Parker climbs out of his truck and walks over. He waits until I get out, bags and thermoses in hand. “You brought donuts! I knew I liked you.”

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