Page 13 of More Than a Little Spark

Nothing?That’s a lie.I’m going to spend the rest of the day trying to think of a reason to come back up here in the morning.

Chapter6

Daphne

Daphne

“It’s his nephew.”I push up to a sitting position as Rose sets her stuff down.“And Carson is single, not engaged, no girlfriend.Nothing.”

“That’s good, right?”She opens the lid on the donut box.“He brought you donuts?Can I have one?”

“Yes.He’s so sweet.You can grab whatever.And it’s very good that he’s unattached.Fred is his nephew.Carson adopted his nephew.”Knowing how hard it is to take care of kids, I’m amazed.

A single guy adopting a preteen isn’t an easy thing.Carson already showed what a good guy he was by stopping and helping me after the accident, but this new information makes him shine a bit brighter.

Rose eases into the chair.“Oh.Wow.”

“When he showed up this morning, I dropped hints and said a couple of flirty things.But he didn’t really respond like I thought he would.And I started to think that maybe I’m not his type or something, which is fine, I guess.”

She shakes her head.“I’ve yet to meet anyone who thinks you aren’t their type, Daphne.”

“I’m still single, so clearly lots of men think I’m not their type, but anyway, I was thinking through everything he said, hoping to remember something that might change my perspective, and I think maybe I figured it out.”

Chewing on a bite of her donut, she motions for me to keep talking.

“He said things have been complicated, so maybe because of that, he’s not wanting to shake things up or make any life changes right now, like—you know—dating.”I grab another donut out of the box.

“Could be.I’m sure having a preteen is a lot of work.And they might still be adjusting to everything.”

“For sure.And you said he’s new to the ranch.I wonder if he’s new to the area.If so, maybe he needs a friend.”I look around for a napkin to wipe my sticky fingers.

Rose grins.“Newish.He’s been there about a year, I think.But if he does need a friend, you could volunteer for the position.”

“That’s what I’m thinking.”I sink lower into the bed.“But honestly, I don’t get the impression that he’s not interested or playing hard to get.I just think he has no clue that I’m interested, which is funny.I’ve dropped some pretty big hints.”

“Not all guys get hints.What did you tell him?”

“Besides straight up asking him if there was anyone else in his life?I also told him that I liked seeing more of his face since he shaved off his mustache.”

She covers her mouth to keep crumbs from flying.“And he didn’t respond to that?”

“He made a joke about it being fat because of too many donuts.”I sigh.“He’s cute.He’s not sporting a six-pack, but he’s strong enough to carry me.That’s pretty cool.”I pick up my phone.“You have to help me figure out what I need him to bring up to the hospital tonight.Or tomorrow.Oh, better yet, if they let me go home tomorrow, you could be busy.And then I’d need a ride.”

Rose rubs her temples.“I’m having trouble keeping up.Are they sending you home tomorrow?”

“Don’t know yet, but earlier, the doctor said that I couldprobablygo home tomorrow.”

“So am I busy or not?Because it’ll seem like I’m a horrible best friend if I’m too busy growing flowers to pick you up from the hospital.”

I clap.“I forgot to give him his coat.And it’s cold outside.”My fingers nearly tangle because I’m typing so fast.“And I won’t say you’re busy, I’ll just ask for a ride.”

Rose stands and puts her hand over my phone screen just as I’m about to hit send.

“What?”

Her lips pinch, and she takes a deep breath.“Slow down a moment and think about things.I know you felt a spark, and I get what that means.Believe me.But he isn’t a regular single guy.He has his nephew.”

“Rose, I want to get to know him.If I let him slip away without trying, I feel like I’ll regret it forever.Maybe we have coffee a few times and nada.Fine.Then I’ll know that when my car crashes, I might feel fake sparks.”

---