Page 66 of More Than a Helping Hand

“I think the hot tub sounds like a good idea.”

“I like the way you think.”

“But I’d like to come out here early tomorrow morning. I bet it’s beautiful.”

“As you wish. Making you happy is my main goal this weekend.” He squeezes my hand. “I’m having fun.”

It’s fun because we’re going out, not worried about who will see us. This is how normal people date.

When we get back to the cottage, I pull my swimsuit out of the suitcase. “I’ll change first. Then the bathroom will be all yours.”

“I’ll get the hot tub bubbling.” He winks and walks out the back door.

I strip off all my layers and get into my suit. My coverup is at home, and I’m starting to regret not bringing it. I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal, but my shaking says differently.

With a beach towel wrapped around me, I step out of the bathroom. Anderson is sprawled on the bed in his swim trunks.

“You changed.”

“I did. Your timing was good. I’m dressed now.” He laughs. “I changed in the corner, so that I could stop you if you came out too soon. I turned everything on. It should be hot in just a few minutes.”

I love kissing this man, but sometimes, I use it as an excuse to avoid topics I’m nervous about bringing up. So smart me, I wait until we’re clothed in very little to broach the topic that’s been bubbling in my head for three weeks.

“Bailey won’t talk to me about what Dennis said. I brought it up again, and she said that she was fine and didn’t want to talk about it.”

“She is your kid.”

“I’m looking for support here, Anderson. This is me being vulnerable.”

“I know, and that was me lightening the mood. I wish I knew what to tell you about Bailey. I miss having her call me DeeDee. When she was at the ranch on Saturday, she called me Anderson for the first hour. I’ll never get used to that. Thankfully, she slipped back to calling me DeeDee after that.”

“It worries me. Maybe I should take her to talk to someone. You know, a therapist.”

“Might be a good idea. Brooke and I went to therapy for a while after my parents died. It can be helpful.”

“But part of me is afraid that she’ll tell the therapist that’s she unhappy without a dad, and I can’t fix that.” I walk closer and clasp his hand. “Please don’t think I’m saying this to give you hints. I’m not.”

He cradles my face. “Once upon a time, I told you that I’d let you set the pace in this relationship. So I’m going to keep this short. I know you aren’t trying to give me hints. And when you’re ready, we can talk about that aspect of our relationship.”

I can’t pin my future on a man I’ve only known a few months. No matter how much I want to.

As I reach out to hug him, my towel falls, and he whispers, “You’re gorgeous.”

“You are too, cowboy.” I melt in his strong, protective arms. “Let’s go get in the hot tub.”

CHAPTER24

ANDERSON

Ilinger outside, freezing my tush off while Primrose gets ready for bed. Staying out here was my bright idea, not hers. And now I regret it. It’s not even that cold, but I’m dripping wet. It would’ve made more sense to stay in the hot tub until she was in her jammies. But I know that as soon as I climb back in, it’ll be time for me to go inside.

When she opens the door, I run in. “Next time I volunteer to stay out in the cold, smack me.”

“Go take a hot shower. And don’t forget your clothes.”

“Right.” I stare into my suitcase. “I wasn’t exactly prepared to share a room.”

“Improvise. Please.”

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