Page 41 of More Than a Helping Hand

“The day I found out I was expecting a girl, he didn’t respond when I texted that I had news to share. Or the day after that. After a week, I stopped sending messages because it was pretty clear that I’d been ghosted.”

“I hope I never meet the boy.”

Nodding, I spew a bitter laugh. “You’re right about that. He was a boy. I drove by his place after graduation. His car was packed to the gills.”

“Did he see you?”

“Yeah. And made a show of ignoring me.”

“How did you manage to stay in school?” Anderson stands and sets the box spring into place, then lifts the mattress like it weighs nothing and lays it on top.

It’s hard to believe I’m pouring my soul out to this guy. And even harder to believe that he isn’t running for the door. “We’ll cover that another time.”

He extends his hand to help me up. “Now, I’ll put together Bailey’s bed.”

Standing in my bedroom, I squeeze his hand. “I’m terrified of letting my guard down and getting hurt again. Or worse, seeing Bailey left again. Where were you before my heart got so beat up?”

His thumb caressing my cheek, he says, “I was raising my little sister after my parents died.”

“Of course you did.” I have so many questions I want to ask him, but I’m not sure I’m ready for the answers. I lean into his hand. “On our date, you’ll have to tell me about that. But we have to keep the kissing and the dates quiet. Too many people know about us already, which makes me nervous.”

“Besides Parker, only one guy on the ranch knows. And I didn’t tell him. He just paid attention and connected the dots. But I’ll be like a dating ninja. Stealthy and silent.”

“Hopefully, he can keep a secret.” I kiss his palm. “I guess we’re doing this then.”

After pressing a kiss to my forehead, he wraps his arms around me. “And it’ll be our little secret until you decide otherwise.”

He says that now, but how long will he put up with keeping things hush-hush?

CHAPTER16

ANDERSON

Ihate secrets. And pretending you aren’t crazy about someone isn’t easy. At least for me. I’m an all-in kind of guy. But I’m determined to keep Bailey in the dark until Primrose is comfortable with our relationship being public.

Her reasons make sense. Dating and parenting at the same time is complicated, which is why I opted not to date until my sister was on her own.

Doors slam outside the barn, and I roll my neck from side to side. Time for my acting skills to kick in. I slide the door open. “Howdy, y’all!”

Bailey glances around before running up to me. “Is Mason coming today?”

“He’s not. His friend invited him over, so he’s at Clementine’s.” I counted on this question, so I am prepared with a distraction. “There is something for you on the desk inside.”

She takes off running, one small cactus plant in her hand.

“Don’t set that on a bench!”

She giggles. “I won’t.”

“Hi.” I step closer to Primrose, then glance into the barn. “I got her a Rubik’s Cube.”

“She loves coming over here. You don’t have to buy her stuff.” She crosses her arms. “I never mastered those, so hopefully, you can teach her how to solve it.”

I slide a cube out of my pocket and start twisting sides as I talk. “I’m not doing it because of any reason pertaining to things we don’t discuss in public. But these cubes are easier to carry around than, say, a cactus plant.” When I finish the sentence, I hold out a solved cube.

“Impressive.” She checks the time. “And I wouldn’t be unhappy if she found a new focus. Also, I didn’t think you were getting her stuff because of—you know—the counter thing.”

I laugh, but before I can respond, Bailey wanders back out, twisting the cube.

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