Page 32 of Wylder Ranch
“No, you weren’t,” Max shoots back.
“I certainly was.”
Throwing Lando a withering look, he turns to his father. “Where are we going?”
“Swimming lesson. And we’re going to be late if we don’t hurry.”
The words have Max sprinting down the path to the front gate, with Hendricks rushing after him.
Lando drops a hand on my shoulder. “I need to head off too. You sure you’re going to be okay?”
“Of course.” My eyes drop to Everly and find hers wide open. “We’re going to be fine, aren’t we?” Everly blows an air bubble in response.
“Call if you need anything.”
“I will,” I reply, throwing him a grateful smile, and sit down on the bench outside the front door.
Although on second thought, it might be too chilly to stay outside. How long can babies be outside for?
I have a feeling Google’s about to become my new best friend. I’m pulling out my phone when Haven returns.
I don’t know why, but something doesn’t seem right. Once more, I find myself thinking she’s not quite how I remember her. Her smile isn’t as wide as it used to be, even as she’s heading toward her daughter with a large backpack slung over her shoulders.
“Hey.”
Her smile widens a fraction, which makes me feel a little better, but it’s still a ways off from the one I’ve been picturing for the past ten months. “Hey there. How’s it going? Did you two do okay together?”
“Better than okay.” I grin, and she drops her backpack on the porch to join us on the bench. “Did you need me to go collect the rest of your things?”
She shakes her head and pats the backpack. “This is everything. I was only staying a few days, remember? But I might need to borrow your washing machine.”
It’s a sobering thought. I open my mouth to say something, then realize I don’t knowwhatto say.
Haven’s been lugging around a backpack and carrying a baby. But more so, the backpack is evidence that shenever intended to stay for longer than a weekend, just enough time to break the news to me and then leave. And that makes me both incredibly sad and more determined than ever to make the next two weeks as worthwhile as possible.
“Of course, you can. I have a housekeeper. She does the laundry, so leave it for her. She’s Miles’s housekeeper too,” I add quickly, feeling the need to defend myself when Haven’s brows shoot up in surprise.
Thankfully, her focus is taken by one of James’s team walking past with the giant panda.
“Alex, what’s that?”
“Something for Everly,” I reply, trying to stop the self-consciousness creeping over me. “I wanted to make it comfortable for you both. I’ll show you.”
“Thank you, Alex. That’s really kind.” She smiles. “I hope you haven’t gone to any trouble, especially as we’re only here for a few weeks.”
Her words start twisting in my stomach because of course, I’ve tried. I want her to feel welcome. I want her to feel at home. And she might only be staying for two weeks, but during that time, we need to discuss how often she’ll visit. Or I’ll visit her. And I want her to see that I want that.
But instead, I shake my head and reply, “Not at all. My pleasure.”
We stand there, staring, both of us unsure of what to say next. And I’m reminded that we don’t know each other. Not really. Not that well.
So instead of worrying about logistics, I worry that two weeks isn’t enough time to get to know each other.
In the end, the silence is broken when Everly lets out a loud wail.
Haven holds her arms out. “I should take her. She’ll be hungry soon.”
“I’ll swap you for your bag.” I laugh, doing the classic “easing the tension with a poor joke,” and as carefully as I can, I hand her over. I feel instantly lighter, but not in a good way. It’s like something is missing. “I can show you her room if you want to use that?”
