Chapter 10 #2
Heather giggled, but her mother hadn’t sounded like she’d meant it as a joke. “Mabel loves me. She’d never do that.”
Katelyn looked doubtful but headed for the parking lot with one last scowl in Aspen’s direction.
“That was…” My words trailed off.
“Something?” Aspen offered.
“Definitely something,” I agreed.
The three kids were happily chatting away now, so Aspen moved in closer. “Don’t take Katelyn personally. She’s an unhappy soul.” She glanced at the retreating woman, wincing. “She’s got a thing for Law, though, so she might make your life a little difficult.”
“Are they dating?” The question popped out of my mouth before I could stop it. Who Lawson was involved with was none of my business.
Aspen burst out laughing. “Oh, God, no. And don’t ask him that. He’d be insulted you thought it was even possible.”
I flushed but couldn’t deny the relief washing through me. “Oh.”
She studied me for a moment. “Law hasn’t dated anyone for as long as I’ve known him, which is a few years now. Haven’t heard of him dating anyone since his divorce, actually.”
That twisting sensation in my stomach was back. Was he so in love with his ex that he couldn’t move on? I wanted to ask Aspen but swallowed the question. None of my business.
Her eyes shone with mischief. “I think he’s just waiting for that one right person, ya know?”
“Sure. He’d want to be careful with kids involved.”
“It’s more than that. He’s not someone who’s in it for instant gratification. He wants real. That’s hard to find.”
It fit the man I’d seen a glimpse of all those years ago, and it fit the man I was growing to know now. “That’s good.”
Aspen’s lips twitched. “Yes, it is.”
Cady pulled on her mom’s hand, her red pigtails swinging with the action. “Let’s goooooo.”
Aspen booped her nose. “The princess is ready for her carriage to depart?”
Cady giggled. “Yes!”
“Then let’s hit it.” Aspen glanced at me. “You good to follow? I’ll drive slow.”
A little anxiety bled out of me. “Slow would be great because I’m driving a brand-new car that Lawson bought, and I really don’t want to crash it.”
Aspen laughed. “There’s nothing like the pressure of new wheels. No problem. I’ll drive grandma-style.”
“That’s exactly my speed.”
“Dad got a new car?” Charlie asked, excited.
“He did.” I pointed to the massive black SUV. “And I think it needs a name.”
Charlie was already running toward it, his tiny backpack thumping against his back. When he reached the vehicle, he ghosted a hand over the side. “Batman. It has to be Batman.”
“Okay—”
“No, wait. The batmobile!”
I laughed as I opened the back door to help him in. “I think that’s perfect.”
Charlie grinned as I got him situated in his booster seat. “We should add rocket launchers so it’s really a batmobile.”
“I’ll make sure to add that to the list.”
“Yes!” he whisper-shouted as he bounced in his seat.
I made my way around to the driver’s door and climbed in. I tried my best to listen to Charlie talk about his day while paying close attention to the road, traffic, and Aspen. Luckily, Charlie didn’t need much prodding to keep chatting.
Aspen’s house was somewhat in the same direction as Lawson’s; you just turned off on a different road.
The lane quickly turned to gravel, and I spotted an adorable farmhouse in the distance.
As we got closer, I saw it needed a little work, but the bones were great, and it had an amazing front porch.
A truck was parked in front of it with an emblem for Washington Fish and Wildlife, along with another SUV with no moniker, but I didn’t see anyone in sight. I followed Aspen’s lead and parked next to her station wagon.
The moment the engine was off, Charlie was unbuckling himself. “Can I get out? Can I?”
“Wait just a second. This car is pretty high.” The last thing I wanted was for Charlie to fall and break a bone.
“Hurry!” he pleaded.
My lips twitched as I climbed out and rounded the vehicle.
I quickly lifted Charlie down, but he was already running toward a pasture where two donkeys and a herd of goats grazed.
As I turned around, I came face-to-face with a massive man, maybe half an inch shorter than Lawson and slightly broader.
They had similar features, but this guy’s hair was lighter, and his expression was definitely less welcoming.
I instinctively took a step back, tripping over my feet and nearly falling. I managed to save myself by grabbing the SUV’s side mirror.
The man’s eyes narrowed on me, but then a ball of motion hurtled itself at him. “Daddy!”
The man’s face completely changed as he caught Cady in mid-jump. “There’s my Tiny Dancer. I thought you ditched me to join the circus.”
She giggled. “I told you, never. I love our circus too much.”
Aspen hurried over to us, a look of worry on her face as she took in my expression. “Hallie, this is my husband, Roan. Also known as Lawson’s brother and Charlie’s uncle. Roan, this is Law’s new nanny, so stop scowling and scaring the crud out of her.”
Roan looked a little sheepish as he turned back to me. “Nice to meet you, Hallie.”
“Y-you, too.”
“I swear he doesn’t bite, even when he looks like the abominable snowman,” Aspen assured me.
That last part confused me, but I just went with it. Seeing Roan’s gentleness with a daughter I surmised wasn’t his by birth was enough for me to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“I really am glad to meet you,” Roan said. “You’re honestly a miracle.”
“A miracle?” I parroted.
He set a wiggling Cady down, and we followed her, Charlie, and Heather toward the fence line. “I didn’t think Law would ever settle on someone to hire.”
Aspen pushed into her husband’s side, and he wrapped an arm around her. “Cut him some slack. Law had some real doozies for applicants.”
Roan chuckled, the sound deep and rich. “My favorite was the one who only cared about the cable and snacks.”
Aspen arched a red brow. “What about the one who offered to have a five-some with all of you?”
My jaw went slack. Was she for real?
Roan grimaced, then bent his head to brush his lips against hers. “You know you’re the only one I’m interested in taking to bed, Tenderheart.”
Pain streaked through me at the sweetness of the moment, the intimacy. You could see the dance of emotions between them as clear as day: care, love, respect, heat.
What would it feel like to experience just one of those things, let alone all of them at once?
Aspen kissed him back, then sent him a look. “There are children and company, Roan.”
He just grinned at her. “There’s always the barn.”
My cheeks flushed at the insinuation.
She smacked his stomach. “You’re incorrigible.”
“That’s how you like me.”
Aspen shook her head but extricated herself from her husband’s hold, moving to my side. “Sorry about him.”
“I’m not,” Roan called as he helped the kids into the pasture so they could greet the animals.
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. “He seems nice.”
“Nice is not a word I’ve ever used to describe Roan. He’s far too honest for that.”
I glanced up at Aspen. “Honest is good. Way better than nice.”
People hid behind niceness. It could be fake. Honest kindness, the type I’d seen from Roan with Cady and Aspen, people would give anything for that.
“I agree.”
“Aspen,” a deep voice called from behind us.
I hadn’t heard someone come up, even on the gravel. I’d been paying too much attention to the show between Aspen and Roan. I jerked, whirling around, my heart hammering.
The man’s footsteps faltered as he took in my reaction. I instantly ducked my head, embarrassed. Twice in a span of five minutes, I’d overreacted and made a fool of myself. Which was why my friendships were short-lived. People didn’t know what to do with me.
Aspen’s hand pressed into the small of my back gently. “Hallie, this is our vet and friend, Damien Miller. Damien, this is Hallie, Lawson’s new nanny. She’s new to Cedar Ridge.”
I didn’t want to look up and would’ve paid a million dollars not to, but I’d only seem odder if I didn’t.
I forced my gaze up to the man a handful of feet away from us.
His expression was curious, but there was also kindness in his green eyes, and he made no move to come closer even though the distance was awkward.
“Hi, Hallie. It’s nice to meet you.”
I nodded. “You, too.”
My palms were more than damp, and my heart thudded against my ribs. Too many new things, too close together. I struggled to rein it all in.
Damien turned to Aspen. “I’m all done with the inoculations. You know the drill. Some fatigue and upset stomach are normal, but if anyone seems extra out of sorts, just give me a call.”
She didn’t move from my side, her hand still on my back, letting me know she was there. “Thanks, Damien. I really appreciate you coming out.”
He dipped his head in answer. “Anytime.” His gaze flicked to me. “Welcome to Cedar Ridge, Hallie.”
My mouth was so dry my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. “Thank you. Nice to meet you.”
My words sounded robotic, as if I were some sort of AI. But at least they came.
Damien waved and headed for his vehicle. When he shut his door, I let out a breath. It was only then that Aspen moved her hand from my back.
I expected her to say something, maybe prod into my reaction or at least ask if I was okay. She didn’t say a word, simply turned around and began pointing out the animals to me.
Pressure built behind my eyes. Frustration. Despair. Anger. I only wanted one thing: normalcy. But I wasn’t sure it would ever be mine. All because of him. He’d stolen that chance from me. Of all the scars he’d left behind and the pain he’d inflicted, that was the worst of all.