Page 73 of More Than a Helping Hand

I motion toward the bag in my hand. “Got it to go this morning.”

“Oh.” He stares at the ground, then scrubs his beard. “My mom mentioned that Primrose changed her mind.”

“She did.”

“I’m sorry. Maybe she’ll come around.”

I shrug because I can’t trust my voice to remain steady. Then I climb into the truck and shut myself away from people.

Ignoring everyone isn’t doable, so after getting food and coffee in me, I’ll dig deep and muster up some fake happiness. Folks here on the ranch are used to a jovial, funny Anderson, so that’s what they’ll see.

While I eat, I tap out a message to Primrose. But I delete the message five times before finally settling on the right words.

Me:I hope everything is okay with Bailey. And if there is any way I can help, just say the word.

Five minutes after hitting send, a reply pops up.

Honey:Thanks.

I need to change the name on her contact, but that can wait until later. Right now, I need to get my behind to the barn. I get to practice faking it as soon as I get out of my truck because Brooke calls.

“Hey.”

There’s silence for a couple of heartbeats. “I was calling to find out about the weekend. But you don’t sound good.”

“I said one word. And I’m fine.”

“You can’t fool me, Anderson. What happened?”

“The weekend was great, but on the way home, we broke up. And I’m not really inclined to talk?—”

“You broke up with her?”

“That’s not what I said.” I slip into the tack room and close the door. Parker will be here any minute, and I don’t want him to overhear the conversation.

“She ended things? Why?”

I won’t throw Primrose under the bus, so I choose my words carefully. “It’s complicated, Brooke. And I’m disappointed, but I’ll be fine.”

“But you love her.”

I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at Brooke’s name on the screen.

“Are you still there?” She sounds worried, and I hate that I’ve ruined her Tuesday.

“I’m here. And I never said that I loved her.”

“I don’t mean with words, Anderson. But we both know you did. It was obvious.”

“Listen, I need to get to work, and talking about this isn’t doing me any favors.”

“Sure, but I want to go to dinner tonight. Just you and me.”

“Can I get a raincheck on that?”

“I don’t like that answer, but okay. And I’m not going to say what I want to say because it might make you emotional, and then you wouldn’t look like a tough cowboy.”

“Love you too, Brooke.”

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