Page 78 of More Than a Helping Hand

Bailey pulls back to look me in the eye. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t like being up high.”

She tightens her hold and whispers in my ear. “You are big and strong. I know you can get us to the bottom safely.”

“Thanks, Munchkin.”

As I work my way down the branches, Bailey continues whispering encouragement. By the time I make it to the top of the ladder, the contents of my stomach are threatening to come up. And I’m focusing on not throwing up as I carry her down the last few rungs.

My boots hit the ground, and I hear Primrose holler, “Bailey!”

Bailey hugs me tight, then kisses my cheek. “Thank you.”

“Sweetheart, are you okay?” Primrose’s gaze bounces between Bailey and me.

I know the sweetheart isn’t directed at me, but it’s still nice hearing it.

Bailey nods. “I’m good. DeeDee saved me.” She slides down and runs up to Mason. “Thanks for getting help.”

“Sure. But next time, don’t climb up so high.” Mason is full of good advice.

“Okay.” Bailey takes off toward the barn. “Come on. I’ll show you the new cube I got for my birthday.”

Mason runs after her.

Parker folds the ladder and walks away without saying a word, leaving me and Primrose alone by the tree.

She’s staring at me but not saying anything.

The silence is making me crazy. So I shatter it. “She wasn’t up there long. Mason ran to get us right away.”

“I got here just as you reached her.” Her chest heaves as she forces a sob not to escape.

“So you watched the entire descent.” I rub my beard. “I wasn’t going to drop her. She was hanging onto my neck really tight. I’d feel if she started to slip.”

Primrose touches my arm. “You’re afraid of heights.”

“Yeah, but in that moment, I was more afraid of Bailey getting hurt. So my fear took a back seat.” I reach for Primrose, then shove my hands in my pockets. “Parker mentioned that you met with Kyle and the lawyer today. How’d that go?”

“He signed away his parental rights. So that’s over. When Bailey is older, I’ll tell her about today, but now is not the right time.”

“I’m glad that’s taken care of.” This is the perfect time to tell her about Bailey, but I’m not sure how to bring up the topic.

“I should go get Bailey. There were multiple missed calls from her today, so I’m sure she has something she wants to talk about.”

“Yeah, um, speaking of Bailey, there is something I need to tell you. And I wouldn’t bring it up, but Bailey knows I heard, and I don’t want her to think I’d ever keep secrets from you.”

“What?”

I focus on the tracks the snake left in the dirt. “I overheard Bailey talking to Mason, and long story short, she told him that you had a husband but that he left because he didn’t like her.”

“Oh no.” Primrose moves closer to me. “What else did she say?”

“And she said that…” I meet her gaze, which makes this so much harder. “She wants me to like you because I like her.”

She runs her finger along her bottom lip, which feels a bit like torture. “She said that?”

“When she realized I heard, she asked if I was going to tell you, and I said I’d give her a chance to tell you first. But then she said I should be the one to tell you that she wants me to marry you.” I spew out the words before I change my mind and don’t tell Primrose everything. “But the more I think about it, I’m pretty sure the plan was for me to hear the conversation. And I’m not telling you so that you’ll magically want to marry me. I mean, we—you know what, I’m going to stop talking now.”

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