Chapter 25 #2
It’s the only plausible explanation, as much as it pains me to consider the possibility.
Walker leans back, eyebrows shooting up. “Never. Even if he’d offered, I would have declined.”
“Okay, so why do it then?” I pause, glancing at the floor. “My dad may be your boss, but he wouldn’t have held it against you if you’d turned down an unpaid assignment outside your duties as deputy.”
Walker tips my chin, forcing me to meet his chocolate-brown eyes. “I’d hoped you’d have figured that out by now.”
I tilt my head, searching his face for answers. “You’re going to have to spell it out for me.”
I’m suddenly left wondering whether I completely misread the situation and somehow missed the signs that were right in front of me all along.
“It was all for you, Birdie,” Walker says reverently.
“How? We’ve only been together for a few weeks. We were friends before that, sure, but it’s not like you really noticed me until we started pretending to date… right?”
“Sweetheart, I was never pretending.” Walker trails his knuckles along my cheek, the weight of his gaze holding me in place.
“I’ve wanted you since I started at the sheriff’s office.
You strolled in wearing a floral sundress with your hair framing your face in loose curls, going on about a gaggle of geese you’d found abandoned on the side of the road and ready to demand your dad track down the person responsible.
” He chuckles, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
“From that moment on, I was starved for your attention, chasing every glimpse of your signature smile and willing to take whatever scraps of your time you’d spare. ”
My breath hitches, and I’m momentarily speechless.
My mind flashes through every time he showed up at the feed store for supplies—conveniently when it was just the two of us so we could chat.
How he went out of his way to bring me lunch most days he stopped by, and how he somehow always ended up by my side whenever we were with his family or our friends.
I’d chalked it up to him being nice, definitely not that he wanted more than friendship.
I bite back a laugh at the irony, knowing I’d been attracted to him for ages, yet certain he’d never see me that way. Funny how wrong assumptions can be.
“Why didn’t you tell me the truth instead of agreeing to our fake dating scheme?” I whisper, tracing the chain of my necklace with shaky fingers.
He leans forward, resting his forehead against mine. “Partly because you friend-zoned me,” he says with a quiet laugh. “So when the opportunity to be together came up—even if it was supposed to be pretend—I took it, in case it was my only chance to call you mine.”
My cheeks grow warm as I remember how I acted early on. I definitely didn’t give Walker any indication that I was interested in him. I’d been naive, letting my assumptions keep me from seeing that the man I’m falling for has wanted me all along.
If I hadn’t taken the risk of asking him to give me lessons, we might never have gotten together—and that’s a frightening thought.
For too long, I’ve let life guide me when I should have grabbed the reins and called my own shots, unafraid to chase what I want.
One thing is for sure: I won’t make that mistake again.
I’m done sitting on the sidelines of my own story.
Walker’s voice breaks through my thoughts, and I lift my eyes to meet him.
“I won’t apologize for helping your parents.
I never regretted it for a second. However, I am sorry for keeping things from you.
” He cradles my face between his hands. “I should have been honest about my feelings—and about knowing the truth. What I’m most sorry for is that you had to go through so much on your own, but I promise you’ll never have to carry that kind of burden alone again. ”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for, Walker,” I murmur, leaning in to brush my lips against his. “You were there for my family when it wasn’t your responsibility, and I’ll never forget it.”
He never should’ve been responsible for my parents’ yard—or any other maintenance on their house, for that matter.
Still, I’m endlessly grateful that he stepped up—not for recognition, but because he saw a need and quietly made life easier for us.
My dad was wrong to ask him to keep it from me, though I understand why Walker respected his wishes.
And knowing that Walker has been keeping Mama company on nights I couldn’t erases any lingering frustration over the secrecy.
“Everything I’ve done was because I wanted to, and I’ll continue to be here for whatever you and your mom need.” Walker tucks a piece of stray hair behind my ear, his lips curving into a grin.
“You’re my endgame, Birdie Mae Matterson. Like I said at the lake I’m in this for the long haul. I’ll wait as long as it takes for you to see that I’m all in—today, tomorrow, and always.”
The future, once hazy and uncertain, sharpens into focus—one shared with someone generous, kindhearted, and who makes me laugh.
My eyes sting with tears. “I’m speechless… but in the best way possible.”
“That’s all right, sweetheart. There’s no need to rush any decisions. Right now, your focus should be on spending time with your mom and helping her heal,” he says, gently wiping a stray tear from my cheek.
I swallow hard, my voice barely audible. “She’s never going to get better…”
Yes, the doctors have said the pneumonia should clear up, but the prognosis is inevitable and will continue to take its toll until her body can’t fight it anymore.
Walker draws me into his lap and wraps his arms around me. “That doesn’t mean there isn’t time to make plenty of new memories you can cherish forever.” He leans back just enough to meet my gaze.
My lips curve into a faint smile. “You’re right about that.”
I’ve been so caught up in the thought of losing Mama someday that I forgot to appreciate the time we still have together.
I’m more than ready to be her daughter again rather than her primary caregiver.
And I realize now that making that possible means change is long overdue, and it has to start with my dad.
While I channeled my grief into tending to Mama, he coped by avoiding the situation.
But we’ve reached a point when pretending that’s a solution doesn’t benefit anyone.
If I want a chance at true happiness—making my sanctuary official one day and building a future with Walker—I have to take matters into my own hands. That means having the conversation with him that I’ve avoided since Mama’s diagnosis.
I glance at Walker, who’s watching me with calm reassurance.
“I’ve been thinking… once Mama’s back home, my dad and I should talk. There’s too much that’s been left unsaid, and we can’t avoid it any longer.”
“I think that’s the right call,” he agrees, gently squeezing my hand. “I’ll be here for whatever you need when the time comes. Whether you want me there for moral support or just to listen as you work through your thoughts.”
I let out a soft sigh, resting my head against his chest. “Thank you, Walker. I mean it. I don’t know what I would have done without you here today.”
He brushes a soft kiss to my temple. “I’m exactly where I want to be, sweetheart.”
It’s then that I know whatever challenges lie ahead, I won’t have to face them alone, and that makes all the difference.