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“Well, going to Houston is a pretty big step forward.”

The last thing he wanted to do was discuss his sex life with his brother. “The subject is closed. I’m not going, and that’s that.”

Tyler blew out a frustrated breath, and Tate could see his temper was rising to the surface like his own was. “Tate. Let. Me. Do. This. For. You. I want to do it. I’ll make sure Dad’s settled, and I’ll stay in my old room over the weekend to make sure he doesn’t overdo things. You can trust me to look after him.”

A weekend away with Kelly was within reach. They could spend time together without worry of their every word being overheard. They could lose themselves in the anonymity of a big city.

Wasn’t it also time he trusted Tyler to step up to the plate? With Trey playing baseball all over the country, Tyler, as the second oldest, should be the one taking the lead on everything to do with their dad.

“I know you want to say yes, Tate. So do it. Go and enjoy your weekend with Kelly. Get away from the farm. The stress of the harvest and the festival. I’ve got this.”

Tate stared down Tyler, both of them unwilling to let the other win. Could he trust that Tyler would do everything possible for Dad? And why shouldn’t he? Tyler wasn’t irresponsible anymore, he might have been after Mom died, but he’d straightened himself out. Now he was annoying and aggravating.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Tate asked.

“Yes, I do.”

“Okay, then, we’ll do this together. Get Dad home and settled, then I’ll go and meet Kelly in Houston.”

Tyler reached out and pulled him in for a bro hug—something they hadn’t done in years. For half a heartbeat, Tate was as stiff as a board, but then he relaxed and slapped his brother on the back.

It seemed like they’d taken steps toward mending their relationship, and Tate couldn’t be happier.

Chapter Twelve

Kelly hummed toherself as she made the finishing touches to the flower arrangement. Tate had told her he would be coming in to get a bouquet to take to the rehab center. She’d made sure the display was extra special for the mysterious recipient of the Flower Magician’s gift.

The bell above the door tinkled a cheery greeting and Kelly looked up, her heart rate increasing when she spied Tate heading toward her. His eyes crinkled in the corners as he smiled at her.

She was acting like a sixteen-year-old girl, all giddy and excited when her crush walked by, hoping he’d notice her but also praying that maybe he wouldn’t. And she was spending the weekend with the fine specimen of a man standing opposite her on the counter.

On closer inspection, she saw that while he was smiling, it didn’t quite reach his eyes and there were faint tension lines marring his forehead.

Her excitement tempered. “You don’t want to go away now, do you?” The words erupted out of her before she could fully think them through.

“No, but I’m—”

“I knew it, you’re having second thoughts.” Needing to keep hands busy to stop from reaching over the counter, grabbing his shirt, and kissing him until he changed his mind, she bundled the cuttings into a neat little pile.

Whoa, slow down. I’ve never been like this with anyone. I’m not going to start now.

“Kelly, will you let me finish?” Tate caught her hands in his as she went to sweep the flower cuttings to the side. The warmth from his touch seeped into her skin, spreading tingles through her.

God, she was an independent woman who ran her own business. She’d handled far worse humiliation and disappointment in her life than a canceled weekend tryst.

Tryst.

Oh, boy, now she was sounding even more ridiculous.

Tugging her hands out of Tate’s hold, she shoved them into the front pockets of her apron, fiddling with the florist wire she’d placed there.

“The weekend is still happening. I’ve made a booking at the hotel near where the wedding is being held. But I’m not going to be able to come with you like I hoped. Dad’s coming home Friday. Tomorrow. I need to make sure he’s settled in before I leave. Tyler has said he’ll look after Dad, and while I was worried at first, I know Tyler won’t do anything to harm Dad. I’m probably not going to get to the hotel until around nine or ten in the evening.”

A mixture of emotions flowed through her. Relief that the trip was still on. Happiness for Tate that his dad was coming home. Worry about how Tate was going to cope being away from his dad on his first weekend back at the farm.

“That’s wonderful news about your dad, and I don’t care when you get to the hotel. I’ll be waiting.” She truly was happy that Trenton was coming home. The worry Tate had been going through was a lot for someone to carry alone. “When did you find out? You haven’t been to the center already this morning, have you?” She glanced at the display she’d spent the last hour making for his visit. Well, if he had, the arrangement would sell so she wouldn’t lose out—in fact, she’d make money on it as she’d planned on not charging Tate for this particular bouquet.

“The night manger called me the other night, after Tyler and I had eaten.” He canted his head toward the flowers. “Is that for me to take?”