Page 74 of More Than a Helping Hand

I slide the phone into my pocket and start working. Keeping my hands busy doesn’t stop me from thinking about Primrose, but I’m not sure anything can do that.

Maybe Dallas will want company riding fences. He’s not one to discuss matters of the heart, but I would likely see a ton of cactus, so maybe that’s a bad idea.

* * *

Two weeks later,I wake up to multiple texts from Primrose. The name has been changed, but I went in a different direction than I probably should have. Call it eternal hope or stupidity, but now the contact is labeled Laney Lane, her middle name and my last name.

And honestly, seeing one text from her would’ve surprised me. The series of texts is a bit of a shock.

Laney Lane:Hi. Bailey is out of school this week for Thanksgiving and wanted to go hang out at the barn. I wanted to see if that was okay with you before asking Parker. If you’d rather not have her there, I completely understand.

Laney Lane:And I’m not trying to ignore you about Kyle. He showed up to ask me to keep quiet about Bailey, which seems pretty stupid considering I haven’t spoken to him in nearly ten years. But he’s engaged and doesn’t want his fiancée to know he has a kid.

Laney Lane:So I’m in contact with a lawyer. If Kyle officially signs away his rights, he’ll never have to hear from me again. Fingers crossed that he doesn’t make my life difficult.

Laney Lane:Let me know about Bailey. She’s been talking about you. A lot. But because of me, I’d understand if you don’t want her around. I could also arrange to have someone else drop her off and pick her up if you don’t want to see me.

Laney Lane:Lastly, I’m sorry. But you seriously deserve the best, not someone who goes through life pretending she isn’t a complete mess.

I read her texts a second time before replying.

Me:I’ve missed seeing Bailey and would love to have her hang out at the barn. And I’d love to see you too. No need to have anyone else drop her off.

Me:And I hope Kyle signs whatever is needed to keep him away from Bailey forever.

I don’t address her last text because there is no nice way to say she’s full of crap. She may have convinced herself that what I deserve was the reason for the breakup, but she’s lying to herself. She’s afraid of falling in love because she doesn’t trust her ability to make good choices. In short, she doesn’t trust herself, and I can’t fix that.

Excited to see Bailey and her mom, I roll out of bed and get ready for the day.

When I walk into the mess hall, Parker meets me at the door. “Hey. Bailey is coming to spend time in the barn. I hope that’s okay.”

“Absolutely.” I pat his shoulder. “I’m happy she’s coming. I’ve missed her.”

Relief washes away the wrinkles in his forehead. “Good. I didn’t think you’d mind, but I didn’t want you to be caught off guard when Primrose dropped her off.”

“Thanks for the heads-up.” I step around the counter and give Ava a hug. “I’m doing better. So you don’t have to worry about me.”

She gives my arm a squeeze. “That’s just what I do. For all you boys. Even if you moved away, I’d still worry.”

“Well, I have no plans to move away.”

“Good. Because then I’d have to worry extra.” She gives me another quick hug. “It’s good to see you smiling.”

I pick up my plate and pile on food. Today, I’m hungry, which is a big change from the last couple of weeks, when I was making myself eat.

After breakfast, I whistle as I start doing chores. But when I hear a door slam, I drop what I’m doing and hurry outside.

Grinning, Bailey races toward me. “DeeDee! I missed you.”

I pick her up and spin her around. “Missed you too, Munchkin. You ready to help with the horses? Dot needs to be brushed.”

Her head bobs. “I’m ready.” She slides down and waves at her mom, who hasn’t gotten out of the car.

My phone buzzes and I read the text from Primrose.

Laney Lane:Call me if you need anything. And you look good.

I tap out a quick reply.

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