Page 12 of Make Me Trust Again (Bluebonnet Creek #3)

Pulling in front of it, I kill the engine and get out, turning around just as Kyle does the same. His lips are parted, big blue eyes wide as they stare at the cottage.

His gaze shifts to me. Is this ours?

“For now,” I chuckle softly. “Wanna go see it?”

Kyle nods eagerly. Wrapping my hands around his shoulders, we turn toward the house to find Chase standing on the porch with Shadow by his side. His brows are pulled together, a dark scowl on his face as he watches us with those serious eyes that don’t miss anything.

Kyle’s steps slow down, so I turn to him just in time to see his throat bob.

I rub at his back, and he slowly turns his attention to me. “You, okay?”

Kyle bites the inside of his cheek, his gaze darting to Chase for a split second before it’s back on me, and he signs: Who’s that?

“That’s Mr. Williams, and this is his dog Shadow. They live in the big house. Wanna go say hi?”

Once again, Kyle’s gaze darts to the duo. He’s big.

I’m not sure if he’s referring to Chase or Shadow.

Not that he’s had much interaction with either.

We’ve never had pets. I brought it up once to John after I saw a teen girl at the audiologist’s office who had a dog with her.

The nurse must have seen my interest because she explained to me that it was a hearing dog, and it was trained to help deaf people; so I did some digging, but when I mentioned it to John, he dismissed my idea immediately, saying he didn’t want animals making a mess in the house.

As if he was home enough to witness it or ever bothered doing anything about it.

“It’s going to be okay.” I give him a reassuring smile. “Shadow is nice.”

Kyle nods, although he doesn’t seem quite sure. I straighten and smooth my hand over his back as we make our way to the porch. Shadow is sitting on the floor, her tail wagging excitedly, but Chase’s face is completely unreadable.

“Sorry, he’s never been around such a big dog,” I explain, turning sideways so I can continue signing and speaking.

“This is my son, Kyle.” Even from the corner of my eye, I can see Chase’s gaze narrow on me, on my hands .

I glance at him and smile tentatively. “Kyle is deaf. He was born with cochlear aplasia, so we communicate in sign language, but he also knows how to read lips.”

Is there a trace of surprise on his face? If there is, it’s gone in an instant. I look down at my son, who’s still observing the duo, and give him an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

“Hi,” Kyle squeaks, and lifts his hand in a small wave. His voice always comes out high-pitched and slightly wobbly when he’s nervous or put on the spot. Different.

I hold my breath, waiting for Chase’s reaction, annoyance, or displeasure, but there is nothing. Shadow, on the other hand, takes that as an invitation and stands up, making Kyle scoot closer to me, his arms wrapping around my middle.

“Shadow,” Chase warns in that low growl of his. “Sit.”

The dog plops her butt down, but her gaze is still locked on Kyle.

Chase looks at Kyle and says slowly. “She won’t hurt you.”

The gentleness in his tone is like a kick to my gut.

I bite the inside of my cheek, my throat feeling tight.

People always turn weird when I tell them about Kyle.

Saying how sorry they are, and talking to me, instead of him, as if he can’t understand them, or if they do talk to him, they do it in a way as if he’s not capable of comprehending them.

Kyle nods at Chase but doesn’t make any attempt to pull back from me.

“He just needs time.”

Chase glances at me but doesn’t say anything. The silence stretches between us, and my gaze darts around, taking in the little cottage. “This looks really nice, Chase.”

“Cottage, right.”

He turns around and unlocks the door, walking inside, so we follow after him.

The front door leads into a small hallway. There is an open doorway on the right where a small kitchen is, just an oven, a few counters, and a fridge. Moving past it, I go down the hallway to the open living room.

Everything is decorated in earthy tones and wooden accents.

There is a big, dark brown couch that is turned toward the TV mounted on the wall, and even a little fireplace on the side.

But that’s not what grabs my attention; it’s the glass sliding door that leads to the back porch overlooking the woods.

There are even a couple of chairs and a little table.

“This is beautiful,” I whisper in awe, as I move closer, trying to take it all in. “Did you do all this?”

Everything looks brand new. I can hardly believe that this is the same place they used as a cottage for ranch hands ages ago.

Chase rubs the back of his neck. “It’s not much.”

“It’s perfect.” Seeing this cottage, I’m not surprised he considered Merrick’s place a dump. “I don’t have words.”

Kyle tugs at my hand, drawing my attention. Can I look at my room?

“Sure thing.” I look around, but Chase’s faster.

“There are two bedrooms and a bathroom on the other side.”

I look up, just as Chase points at the door.

“ Pick the one you want.”

Kyle nods, and without a backward glance, he dashes across the living room, pushing open the first door.

“I’ll leave you to settle in.”

Chase’s words have me turning around.

“Oh…” I tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear and let it fall. “Yeah, of course. I’m sure you’re busy. Just let me…” I pull my wallet out of my bag. “How much is the rent?”

When I look up, I find that frown back between Chase’s brows as he glares at my wallet as if it’s killed his puppy.

“I don’t want your money.”

I press my lips into a tight line. “Chase, we discussed this. I’m paying rent.”

“No, you said it, and I just decided to ignore it.”

My lips fall open in surprise at his brash words. He starts to move around me. Without thinking, I extend my hand, my fingers wrapping around his forearm.

Electricity crackles at the point of contact, making me suck in a sharp breath.

Chase’s head snaps up, those hazel eyes darkening as he just stares at me. I swallow hard, my mouth feeling dry, but I push the words out, “I’m paying rent.”

Uncurling my fingers, I pull the money from my wallet and quickly count it. I’m still not sure he won’t just leave. “Fifteen hundred. The old Merrick’s place was twelve, and this one is much nicer.”

“Rose…” His eyes narrow, the muscle in his jaw twitching, but he makes no attempt to take the money.

“Chase.” I tip my chin up, refusing to back down. “You either take it, or we’re leaving.”

“Mom!” Kyle calls out from the room.

“You should go.”

So he can sneak out without taking the money? I think not.

“As soon as you take the money.”

A deep, annoyed rumble comes from his chest as he grinds his teeth together.

Finally, after what seems like forever, he takes the money from me. “Fine.”

The corner of my mouth twitches in amusement at his irritation, but I quickly school my features as he takes the money and shoves it into his back pocket. However, apparently, I’m not quick enough because the lines between his brows turn deeper.

“Mom!”

This time, the voice is louder, so I turn around to find Kyle standing in the doorway and waving me over. Come! You have to see this.

“Coming. Just give me a minute.”

Hurry.

He dashes back inside the room, and I can’t help but chuckle at his excitement.

“I’ve been summoned.”

When I turn around, Chase is already going toward the door, and I can feel a pang of disappointment.

What did you expect? For him to stay around and keep you company?

It’s irrational. It’s not like John was around much. As a matter of fact, in those last months before I left, I preferred it when it was just Kyle and me. At least then I didn’t have to walk on eggshells.

“Chase.”

His steps falter, and for a moment, I think he’ll ignore me, but he stops and glances over his shoulder.

“Thank you. For all of this.”

He nods silently, and then he’s gone. My gaze stays locked on that spot for a few seconds longer before I turn around and go to the room Kyle disappeared into, only to come to a stop when I find it empty.

Did I get the wrong room? Where is ? —

“Mom, look up!” Kyle’s giggles echo in the space as I do what he asked.

My stomach tightens with nerves as the panic sets in at the sight of him sitting at the top of what looks like a little loft, making me realize I missed the stairs hooked on the wall.

“The bed’s up here.”

“I can see that,” I say carefully, unsure of how I feel about it.

But Kyle doesn’t seem to have the same worries as he bounces in his seat, his legs swaying over the edge.

“How cool is that? This will be my room.”

Of course, he thinks that. Me, on the other hand? I will be checking in on him way more often than usual, trying to make sure he doesn’t fall from the bed.

“There is a bed for you down here as well,” I point out.

Kyle shakes his head. “No. I want to stay here. Pretty please?”

He bats his eyelashes, clasping his hands together.

I let out a long sigh, knowing there is no helping this. “How about sometimes?”

“Can Levi come over so I can show it to him? Can he?”

“We’ll talk to Miss Parker.” My promise has him fist-pumping in excitement, the sudden motion making him sway slightly. “Can you please get down now?”

He purses his lips unhappily. “Do I have to?”

“Down, young man. We’ve got work to do.”

Sighing dramatically, he turns around and climbs down like a little monkey, jumping to the ground and grinning at me. “This is so fun.”

I shake my head.

Seriously, this kid will be the death of me.

“C’mon. Let’s go grab our thi ? —”

The words die on my lips when we get out into the hallway. Because out there by the door, our stuff is all lined up nicely.

I go to the porch, expecting to find Chase outside, but he’s nowhere to be found.