Page 19 of Wildflower and Whiskey
I stiffened, my hands tightening on the stroller handle. “Phoenix.”
His jaw worked as he stopped in front of me. “I had to pick up Izzy from your house last night. Luc wouldn’t leave your boy after your old man’s outburst.”
My face flamed. “That’s not your problem.”
“The hell it isn’t,” he said, softer but fierce. “You think I don’t see what’s going on here? You and Braden . . .”
“Stop.” My voice cracked sharper than I meant. Braden gurgled, kicking his legs happily, oblivious. I bent to fix his blanket. “I can handle my life.”
Phoenix stepped closer, close enough that the air pulsed between us. “No one should have to handle that alone.”
My chest ached, my defenses thinning, but I straightened and pushed the stroller past him. “Like I said, it isn’t your problem.”
I didn’t look back, though I could feel his eyes on me all the way down the orchard path. I knew he was probably heading to the brewery, and I needed to walk in the opposite direction because space from that man was all I could think about. A heck of a lot of space because my head was spinning.
I rounded the bend, and that’s when I spotted Luc and Izzy standing close under the shade of an old apple tree. I slowed without meaning to, my eyes narrowing on the sight of Luc brushing a strand of hair off Izzy’s face. His gray eyes softened in a way I hadn’t seen in a long time.
“I feel bad for having you over last night. If I knew my papa was that unhinged, I would’ve never had you over,” he said to her.
My steps faltered as I watched the way he looked at Izzy.
“I know you would never put me in danger,” she assured him, and my stomach turned at the thought I’d been living with Papa all this time.
My brother bent his head down to kiss her. Before I could turn away, the words left my mouth, louder than I intended. “Oh, wow, look at you two.”
They broke apart instantly, and Izzy licked her lips, her cheeks flushed.
“You two are adorable,” I continued. It was good to see them both so happy.
“We’re not adorable,” Luc insisted, like the word was an insult.
Izzy laughed and turned to me, warm and easy. “Hi, Elyna, it’s so good to see you.” She pulled me into a hug. Then she crouched and cooed at Braden. “I met this handsome fella last night. Hi there, yes, you’re handsome.”
Braden giggled, and my chest softened.
Izzy straightened. “I’m actually happy we bumped into each other.”
“Oh yeah?” I asked, my guard rising again. “What’s up?”
“Phoenix has a loft above his garage. It’s fully furnished, one bedroom, a beautiful kitchen, and we want you and Braden to live there. And Luc too while he’s home.” She smiled to my brother before drawing her attention back to me. Her back was straight and her face was serious, no hint this might be a joke.
“I can’t move into Phoenix’s house,” I chortled.
“It has a separate entrance. No one is living there. It’s an empty space that was made for you and Braden, trust me,” shewent on. I appreciated her efforts, but taking a handout wasn’t big on my to-do list.
That’s when my brother stepped in and reminded me of my obligation to keep my son safe.
“I need to speak with Phoenix. I need to hear it from him this is okay. I don’t want charity. I want to pay,” I insisted.
I was in a tug-of-war between doing what was right for my son and accepting charity. Izzy and Luc tried to convince me otherwise until the tugging pulled me in the direction of the Maple Valley Brewery & Restaurant, with Luc, Izzy, and Braden walking with me. All of us were converging on the one man I’d been trying to avoid.
CHAPTER 11
Phoenix
Elyna stood here in the brewery while I sat on my usual stool with her chin tipped up, stubborn as hell, refusing to let me help her. I’d wanted to tell her about the loft when I saw her in the orchard earlier, but she wasn’t even willing to hear me out.
Damn woman.
