Page 26 of Love Somebody Like You

Breath suspended. They were talking about her?

“It’s good she’s finally making an effort and trying to fit in, but it’s like that man took away our beautiful girl and left us with this pale imitation.”

Lexi took a step back. Her mother’s comment wasn’t unfair. But it didn’t mean Lexi liked to hear it.

“What should we do?”

Her father replied in a low-voiced mumble. She heard words like “pray” and “God’s timing” and “friends” but anything more was too difficult to make out. And maybe that was for the best, because eavesdroppers never heard good of themselves, did they?

She took another step back, and the wooden floor squeaked.

“Lexi? Is that you?”

Caught. Pretend she hadn’t heard, or go in with guns blazing? She made a face at herself—look at her with the Western metaphors. Must be the effect of hanging out with a real-life cowboy.

“Hi.” Aim for bright and breezy. Mum mightn’t be far off the mark, but there was no need to make her any more worried than she needed to be. “What are you two talking about?”

Boom. Hit them with the truth question.

“You, actually,” her father replied.

“How was your time at the ranch?” her mother asked.

“It was nice. Jackson made ribs, which were really tasty. They gave me a quick tour. It was fun.”

Why did her mother’s eyes seem to spark when Jackson’s name was mentioned? For that matter, why did Lexi’s cheeks feel hot when she mentioned his name? It wasn’t like there was anything there, even with the sorta-flirty comments about him teaching her to ride. He hadn’t meant it, obviously, because he hadn’t arranged another day. And anyway, she wasn’t looking for a man. She was here to recover from a trauma, not make plans for the rest of her life. Even if she did think Jackson was attractive.

“Ellie is a ball of energy, isn’t she?” Mum said. “From what I understand she’d love to reopen the town museum, but ranch work keeps her busy.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“There’s a lot that family keeps to themselves,” her father said.

Was that disapproval in her father’s tone? Judging from the way her mother looked at Dad, Lexi wasn’t the only one who had heard it. “Is there something you’re trying to say, Dad?”

“Just be careful. You don’t want to get too attached to people if you’re planning to go back to Australia.”

A chuckle escaped. “What, like you?”

“Of course not us,” her father said. “We’re your family.”

“Exactly. So why can’t I make friends with people, even if one day I move back? I can stay in touch with my friends.” She emphasized that last word a little, just to stop them getting ideas. “The same as I do with you.”

“Of course you can.” Mum shot Dad a look. “But if you are thinking at all about staying—not saying that you should, but you know I’d simplylovefor you to live nearer—”

Way to go with the no-guilt policy.

“—then you might want to consider what your future would be like here.”

“You mean like getting qualified to nurse here?” Lexi asked. Subtlety had never been her strength.

“Or something like nursing. You have always had such deep compassion for people, and it would be a shame to see that wasted.”

“I don’t plan to waste it,” Lexi said. “I just need more time.”

More time, and more assurance that she’d never face that same level of threat again.

“Do you still feel scared?” her mother asked softly.

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