Page 55 of More Than a Helping Hand

I shift so that I’m sitting beside him. “I guess it’s my turn.”

“Only if you want to tell me.”

“I do, but I’m going to need you to make me a promise. What I tell you cannot be repeated to anyone. My family doesn’t know.” I meet his gaze. “Telling them would serve no purpose.”

“You have my word.” He tangles his fingers with mine.

Staring at the setting sun, I suck in a deep breath. “I’ve told you about Kyle. So I’ll pick up where I left off. After he left, I never heard from him again.”

“He doesn’t pay child support?”

“He doesn’t even know if he has a son or a daughter. When I left the message, I told him to call me so that I could hear his reaction to the news. Anyway, I had two friends, Mary and Dani. We were roommates, and they helped me so much after Bailey was born. Because of their help, I was able to stay in school, and my kid had a happy life.”

His thumb brushes my hand, and he quietly waits for me to continue.

“After college, we continued living together. And when Bailey was five, I started dating Derek. My friends made it clear they didn’t like him. But the reasons they gave seemed exaggerated. And I didn’t rush things with him. I took my time. He and I dated for a year before I let him meet Bailey, and at some point, my friends stopped giving their opinion. I just wanted someone to love me and my little girl, you know. And I thought he would step in and make us a little family.”

My nose starts to run as tears fall.

Anderson climbs out. “Let’s go inside. We’ll be prunes if we stay in here much longer.” He picks up my towel and coverup, then stands beside the hot tub, facing away.

If I’m about to air my dirty laundry, I might as well let it all hang out. “Hey. You can turn around.”

I avoid looking at him as I crawl out of the hot tub, only partially from avoidance. Not watching where I’m going is a recipe for injury. But when I’m standing in front of him, I brave eye contact.

He holds out my towel and coverup, and there is heat in his gaze. Desire. And more, which I am not ready to deal with and I might not have noticed if it weren’t for Tandy.

“Thanks.” I grab the towel and dry off. Then I drape the coverup over my arm.

His smile widens. “You go get into something comfy, and after I do the same, I’ll make us some hot chocolate, and we can continue this conversation.”

It’s eerie how this man knows when I need a break from the hard stuff. Or maybe my attempt to look like I have it altogether is failing miserably.

CHAPTER20

ANDERSON

Iset our mugs on the coffee table, then drop onto the sofa. Immediately, Primrose, who is wearing a sleepshirt and leggings, snuggles up beside me. As I hand over her cocoa, her phone rings. The look of panic that flashes on her face when she sees that Paisley is calling squeezes my heart.

She hands me her mug, then swipes to answer. “Hello. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. Bailey wants to ask you something. I’ll talk to you after.” Paisley’s voice is upbeat, without a hint of worry or panic.

I’ve never been more grateful that Primrose keeps her sound turned up because I can hear both sides of the conversation.

“Sure.” Primrose flashes me a relieved smile. “Hey. Sweetheart. Are you having fun?”

“Uh-huh. Can I stay with Grandma and Grandpa tomorrow night? They want to take us all to the water park, and then we’re going to roast marshmallows in the backyard. Topher and I are going to camp out in the living room. Grandpa is even going to set up a tent. Please, can I stay?”

“Of course. But you listen to them at the water park.”

“I will. And I’ll watch out for Topher since he’s kinda little.” Bailey makes a kissing sound. “Night, Mom. Love you.”

“Love you too. Let me talk to Aunt Paisley, okay?”

A second later, Paisley is back on the phone. “Mom was going to call you, but Bailey wanted to do it. We’re just packing up to head home now. The kids have been having a blast chasing lightning bugs.”

“It’s fine if she stays. Tell Mom to text me if she needs anything and that I’ll call her tomorrow.”

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