Page 50 of More Than a Helping Hand

After the call ends, I stare at the phone. My flirting and joking might make it seem like I’m being casual about our relationship or blazing in with little thought of consequences. The opposite is true. I think about the situation a lot. Dating a single mom means that if this turns into more, I’ll have a stepdaughter.

And after lots of soul searching, I can say without hesitation that I’m open to that possibility. It helps that I get to see Bailey often and that she likes me. But who knows, that may change if she finds out I’m dating her mom.

Instead of rolling over and going to sleep, I search for hotels with two rooms. And they are hard to find. So I shift my focus. Garrett mentioned once that he rented a place when he met Tessa. Looking at AirBnB-type places, I find several possibilities in the Hill Country. They are tucked away, so no one would see us. And one even has a pool and a hot tub. I book it for two nights so that we don’t have to check-out early.

I want us to have plenty of time to talk.

Then I call Dallas.

“What?”

“Did I wake you?” I check the time and wince.

“Nah. But I don’t get many calls. What’s up?”

My mind is racing with plans, and I take a deep breath. “Any idea where I can stash my truck and a few things tomorrow evening for a few hours? And it’s a huge plus if it’s a place I could safely leave a car for a day.”

“You mean a place like the ranch?”

“No. Because I don’t want anyone here to see me picking up the truck or to recognize the car parked.”

“The nurse?”

“Yes, but no one can know.”

“Well, I have an idea, but it’ll mean that one more person knows. She can keep a secret, and she loves matchmaking, so she’ll one hundred percent be on board with helping you. The truck won’t fit in the garage, but the car you want to hide probably will.”

“Will you ask her and get back to me?”

“Sure, but I’m warning you. She might ask you to pose without a shirt for her book covers. She thinks it’s so funny to ask all my coworkers.”

“You tell her I’ll pose if she does me this favor.”

“I’m not sure if you’re dumb or brave.” Dallas laughs, a sound I don’t hear very often.

“That makes two of us.”

* * *

I climbinto the back seat of Parker’s truck, which is no small feat. I’m just about folded in two.

Bluebonnet glances back and winces. “Let’s switch. I don’t mind riding back there.”

“Nope. I’m good.” I am not bumping her out of the passenger seat. “Thanks for the ride.”

She smiles, and we ride along listening to the radio for a bit. Then Bluebonnet turns to face me. “Are you and Primrose doing something fun after dinner?”

“We are. But please keep that hush-hush. Neither of us are ready for Bailey to know.”

“This is the only place I’ll mention it.” Bluebonnet taps her lips, then nudges Parker. “And he’ll be quiet too. Won’t you?”

Parker nods, then looks at me in the rearview mirror. “So Bailey invited you, huh?”

“That’s what I hear.” I’m glad we’re near the house because I’m already starting to sweat from nerves.

“That’s what Mom said. She called me after Bailey left that day and asked me all kinds of questions about you.” He rolls to a stop in front of the house. “I told her how great you are, and she seemed convinced. So you have nothing to be nervous about. But if Dad asks you to go with him to get ice, say yes.”

“Got it.” This conversation isn’t helping me calm down.

---