Page 76 of More Than a Helping Hand

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The clinic is busy,and I barely have a second to sit, let alone look at my phone. So when I finally check it and see five missed calls from Parker, panic grips me, and I dial his number.

He answers after three rings. “Hey, Primrose.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Why?” He sounds genuinely confused.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm down. “You called me five times.”

“No, I didn’t…” His voice trails off. “Oh.”

“Please don’t say you butt dialed five times.”

“Bailey was taking pictures of the horses with my phone. She wanted to use Anderson’s, but he didn’t let her, so I was the good uncle. I had no idea she called you. I’m sorry.”

“And she’s okay?”

“Yeah. She’s running around with Mason. He checks in with me every little while so that I know they’re okay.”

“I’ll just talk to her when I pick her up, which will be in about an hour.”

“Great. Do you have another second?” There is a serious edge to his voice, and my panic is back.

“What’s wrong?”

A door closes, and his voice is at a whisper. “Did everything go okay? Can I tell Anderson? I know he cares about what happens to Bailey.”

Hearing that last sentence puts a lump in my throat, and I have to swallow before I can speak. “It all went fine. Kyle signed, and I doubt we’ll ever hear from him again. And I planned to tell Anderson myself, but you can. I’d appreciate it.” I’ve been dreading that conversation, so it’ll help me if Parker delivers the news. “Okay, well, I should probably?—”

Parker clears his throat. “One more thing. Now that all this with Kyle is settled, maybe you could give Anderson another chance.”

“Parker.” I do not want to have this conversation with my little brother.

“Listen, as someone who almost lost something amazing because I was afraid of being honest, I think you should talk to Anderson. Be completely honest with him. I know what you told him. But love isn’t about what people deserve, Primrose.”

“I’ll talk to you later.” I end the call, feeling awful that I just hung up on my brother.

He’s right, but accepting that fact means admitting that I’m to blame.

CHAPTER28

ANDERSON

Parker is hiding in the tack room, having a private phone conversation, so I walk outside. Near the corner of the barn, I stop when I hear Bailey talking.

“You’re lucky that you have a mom and a dad.”

My heart breaks for this little girl.

Always chipper, Mason agrees. “Yep. And I’m glad I have a baby sister. She’s pretty cute. But don’t be sad because you have an awesome mom. And your Uncle Parker and Aunt Bluebonnet.”

“Yeah. My mom is great. She used to have a husband, but he didn’t like me, so he left.”

I clench my fists, angry at a dead man.

“Then you need to find her someone who likes you.” Mason, in typical fashion, offers relationship advice.

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