Chapter Two
Evie
Once we pulled into the driveway, I took a deep breath and looked in my rearview mirror to see Liam pull up behind me.
How did I get talked into this?
Oh, right!
My son.
A smile swept over my lips as Hayden unbuckled himself from the booster and opened the door.
He was turning into such a little man.
It felt like just yesterday that I had to lift him out of his car seat and carry him inside.
Life had a way of beating on.
Liam walked over and opened my door as Hayden darted to the porch.
“I thought you were trying to lose me for a minute.” Liam flashed his amazing smile. “Do you always drive so crazy?”
I chuckled. “Very funny.”
“Hey, I know Hayden put you on the spot…” He lowered his voice. “If you’d like me to beg off, I can.”
My stomach dipped at the mention of him leaving, and I glanced over at Hayden, who was happily waiting for us.
“No, I’m happy he asked.”
“Yeah?” Liam’s eyes fastened on mine, and I felt that pull to him that I’d tried so hard to ignore.
I nodded and closed the truck door as I walked toward Hayden. I felt Liam’s gaze on me from behind, and a little thrill ran over me.
Was that what it was like to be wanted by a guy?
The thought shot a little bolt of electricity through me as I unlocked the door, and Hayden bounded inside with Lance by his side.
“I didn’t know you had a dog.” Liam grinned, reaching down to pet his head.
“He’s our newest addition. We try to foster whenever we can, but something tells me Lance found his forever home.”
Liam’s brows quirked up. “Lance?”
I grinned. “Sir Lancelot, if you want to get technical.”
“Nice.” He nodded and closed the door behind us.
“So, I already grilled the bratwursts before we took off to the doctor,” I informed him. “Not sure they’ll be my best since it’s going to be a reheat job.”
“I’m just happy I don’t have to see the soup again.” He waved his bandaged hand, and I chuckled.
Liam was so at ease, and a little bit of guilt started surfacing for all the times I hadn’t written back to him.
“Need me to do anything else?” he asked, looking more at home in my kitchen than I ever thought he would or should.
The kitchen wasn’t big, but it worked perfectly for my little family. When I bought it, it was the worst part of the home, but between my painting skills and Hayden’s artwork on the walls, the kitchen looked like a million bucks.
The powder blue cabinets always made it feel bright and cheery, and the butcher block counters I installed felt warm and cozy.
“Just stay out of trouble,” I teased, glancing at his hand. “We don’t need any more trips to urgent care today.”
Liam smirked, leaning casually against the counter. “I make no promises.”
As I put the bratwursts in the air fryer to reheat, I couldn’t help but steal glances at the man I’d been crushing on for the last few months.
Something about Liam made my usually guarded heart feel… safe. He was easy to be around, quick to laugh, and good with Hayden in a way that melted my defenses.
“You’re quiet,” Liam said, breaking the silence.
“Just thinking,” I replied, trying to sound casual.
“About?”
I hesitated, not sure how much I wanted to share. The quickest way to scare off a guy seemed to be revealing things, which was ironic on so many levels. Yet, when a guy revealed things to me, I felt so connected and in tune with him.
“About how crazy today has been. And how I somehow survived another adventure with Hayden.”
“Survived?” Liam said with a laugh. “You make it sound like he’s a hurricane.”
“He kind of is,” I admitted with a grin. “But I wouldn’t trade him for anything.”
Liam nodded with a thoughtful expression.
“You’re lucky to have each other.”
The sincerity in his voice tugged at something deep inside me, and I found myself smiling despite the flutter of nerves in my chest.
“Yeah, we are. He’s my best bud.”
I heated the buns for the bratwursts and mixed up my special mustard sauce while Hayden played with Lance in the other room.
“You know, I wanted to apologize,” I said, looking at Liam.
He frowned and shook his head. “For what?”
I pressed my lips together and opened my fridge to grab a beer.
“Want one?”
Liam chuckled. “Do I need one for what’s about to come?”
I laughed. “Maybe.”
“I can handle whatever you’re about to tell me. I’ll take a seltzer.”
“Good choice.”
I put ice in a glass, poured the seltzer water into it, and handed it to him.
“So, what do you think you owe me an apology for?” Liam tried again.
I twisted my lips into a playful pout and let out a deep breath. “I’m sorry for constantly turning you down.”
He laughed and glanced toward the fridge. “Maybe I did need that drink.”
I chuckled and shrugged. “Sorry.”
“I have a confession. My big head didn’t know that you were turning me down. I just thought you were busy.”
Mortified.
That was precisely the emotion zipping through me. Why did I have to open my big mouth?
Liam’s grin was easy and disarming, but his eyes twinkled with mischief.
He let out a low whistle and shook his head. “All this time, I thought I was just catching you at bad moments. Now I find out I’ve been actively avoided?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Not avoided. Just… delayed.”
“Delayed, huh?” He sipped his seltzer, leaning back against the counter like he belonged there. “I’ll take it. But you know, I’m a pretty patient guy. Good things are worth waiting for.”
My cheeks warmed, and I turned back to the bratwursts, busying myself with plating them.
“Good things, huh?” I reached for the grilled onions and noticed him looking at me.
“Absolutely.” The way his gaze fell along my body made me warm inside. “Anyway, I always hold out hope.”
“That’s very optimistic of you.”
“Hey, I’m a glass-half-full kind of guy.” He tapped his glass with a smirk. “Especially when someone else pours the seltzer.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Well, I guess I should thank you for sticking around despite my terrible track record with you.”
“Oh, it wasn’t that bad,” he said, his voice teasing. “You didn’t actually ghost me. Wait. Did you?”
I grinned and shrugged innocently as I pulled the bratwursts out of the air fryer. “Beats me.”
“Well, you’re feeding me bratwursts tonight, so I’d say we’re making up for lost time.”
“Speaking of…” I laughed and slid a plate toward him. “Here’s your brat. I hope it lives up to your expectations. I’m sorry it’s reheated, though.”
“Oh, please. It looks incredible.” He scooped onions on his plate and dabbed some mustard on top. “Thank you.”
I smiled and glanced at Hayden in the living room with Lance. I grabbed a tray and wandered to where Hayden laughed.
“Today’s your lucky day,” I whispered.
“I get to eat in here?” His eyes widened.
I nodded.
“You do like him.” He nearly yelled his response, and I immediately shoved my palm playfully over his mouth.
“Ssh.” I laughed, shaking my head.
“Playing hard to get?” my seven-year-old asked.
“How in the world do you know about that?”
“Second grade, Mom.” He rolled his eyes as if I were the ridiculous one.
I walked back into the kitchen, and Liam’s grin grew wider.
His brows lifted. “So…”
“You didn’t hear any of that, right?”
“Not a single word.” He lifted his hand. “Scout’s honor.”
“You’re lying, aren’t you?” My brows raised.
“Possibly.”
I chuckled, hoping to change the subject. “Anyway, is your sausage big enough?”
My eyes clenched shut in horror. That was not the direction I’d meant to change it to.
“Are we still talking about food?” he asked.
Embarrassment rolled through me as I blinked my eyes back open, trying not to let his flirtation throw me off balance.
My smile only grew. “Don’t push your luck, Harper.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, taking a bite. “But I will say, these are amazing. If you ever tire of the whole horse whisperer thing, you could open a bratwurst stand.”
“Oh, sure,” I said, playing along. “I’ll just set up shop next to the lodge and put you out of business.”
“I’d welcome the competition,” he said, his eyes sparkling. “Though, you’d have to put up with me coming by every day to inspect the goods.”
“Are we talking about the food?” I shot back.
A deep rumble of laughter filled the kitchen, and I wished I could bottle it and listen to it when he left.
That was how lonely I was, and I didn’t even realize it until now.
“I don’t know any longer…” He smirked before taking a bite of sausage.
“You’re impossible.” I eyed him playfully.
“And yet, here I am, invited into your kitchen at long last,” he said, his tone softer now. “Guess that makes me a little bit possible, doesn’t it?”
I swallowed, feeling the air between us shift.
He was disarming, and I wasn’t sure how to handle the emotions flooding through me.
“Well,” I said, clearing my throat, “I hope the bratwursts live up to the honor of being served in this tiny kitchen.”
He looked around, his gaze lingering on the cabinets and the artwork Hayden had taped to the walls.
“This isn’t just a kitchen. It’s home. It feels… warm. Like you, like the heart of something special.”
I froze for a second, thrown for a loop as I debated what to say or do.
How could words roll so perfectly off his tongue? I’d spent so long distrusting the opposite sex that I couldn’t even judge what I was hearing.
The warmth in his voice was genuine, and I couldn’t help but look at him, really look at him. His dark hair curled slightly at the edges, and the light from the kitchen cast soft shadows across his jawline. His blue eyes held mine.
There was so much about him that made me want more.
Or, at the very least, to go out on another date instead of hiding.
It was all more than I could take.
“You don’t have to say things like that,” I said softly, though my heart was doing its best impression of a jackhammer.
The truth was I wasn’t used to a man’s words meaning something.
“Why not? It’s true.” His voice was low, and his gaze didn’t waver.
I felt heat creep up my neck, and I turned back to the counter, pretending to adjust the mustard sauce that didn’t need adjusting.
“You’re trouble, Liam.” I shook my head. “I don’t think I’d know what to do with you.”
He laughed, and the sound was rich and warm.
Before I could respond, Hayden came barreling into the kitchen with Lance close on his heels.
“Mom, Lance knocked over the lamp. He’s a bad knight!”
I laughed and crouched down to his level. “Well, Sir Lancelot can’t help himself. He’s all about action. I think we can rebuild Henry, don’t you?”
Liam stood, quirking a brow. “You named a lamp?”
“It’s not a lamp. It’s a king,” I countered.
“Oh, right.” Liam shook his head. “My bad. The lamp is a king, and the dog is a knight.”
Hayden grinned and nodded, then turned his attention to Liam. “Will you help us?”
Liam set his plate down, his expression softening as he looked at Hayden. “Of course, Buddy. What kind of nobleman would I be if I didn’t?”
Hayden grabbed Liam’s good hand and tugged him toward the living room, his excitement contagious.
Liam shot me a grin over his shoulder. “Looks like I’m being recruited.”
“Careful,” I called after them. “You might find yourself in a pillow fight.”
“I’m not afraid of some soft fluffy pillows,” he said, winking before disappearing into the other room.
I stood there momentarily, listening to their laughter drift through the air.
My heart felt full in a way I hadn’t expected. Liam fit so seamlessly into our chaos. It scared me how natural it felt.
How much I wanted him to stay.
We’d had three dates.
That was it.
Because I didn’t want it to get here.
And yet, here somehow managed to work its way into my life.
“You’re going to owe me big for this,” Liam called to me, his voice full of mock seriousness. “This dog is relentless.”
“The dog? I thought it would be my son,” I yelled back.
“Him too,” Liam yelped.
“Welcome to my world,” I said, crossing my arms as I watched the scene unfold.
Liam turned, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
“Think you could lend a hand, or are you just going to stand there looking cute?”
My jaw dropped, and I felt a laugh bubble up before I could stop it.
Looking cute? I worked with horses all day, and I couldn’t remember the last time someone said I looked cute.
Fifth grade, maybe?
“Excuse me?” My eyes fell to Liam’s.
“You heard me,” he said, his grin widening. “Don’t act so shocked. You know you’re adorable.”
“Liam, you are—” I stopped, realizing my son was inhaling every word between us.
“Charming? Ruggedly handsome? Great with pillows?” he interrupted, throwing me a playful wink.
“Like I said earlier, impossible,” I finished, shaking my head.
“And yet,” he said, mimicking his earlier words, “like I said earlier, here I am.”
Hayden giggled, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth.
“Mom, are you going to help or not?”
“Fine,” I said, throwing my hands up in surrender.
I reached for a pillow and gently swatted at Hayden as Lance barked and jumped on Liam, who crawled behind a chair for security.
Hayden rolled around with a pillow wrapped around his chest as I darted to the chair Liam was hiding behind.
“Don’t get used to this,” I said,
Liam’s fingers brushed mine as he swatted at me with a snowflake pillow, and the contact sent a spark up my arm, and I caught a knowing look in his eyes.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, his voice even softer now. “If it weren’t for nearly slicing my hand off today, you’d still be ignoring my calls.
I laughed and shook my head as Hayden climbed on my back, and Lance tackled Liam.
“Welcome to my world,” I said, laughing and loving every second.
“I wouldn’t want to spend my night doing anything else.” Liam’s eyes fastened on mine, and I wondered if he meant it.