Page 17 of Make Me Trust Again (Bluebonnet Creek #3)

“Are you going to put them on now?”

So much for quiet.

I grab an electric screwdriver and a few screws from the box where I put them before looking up. “Yes.”

“Can I help?” Kyle shifts in his seat, a tentative smile spreading over his mouth as he flashes me his best puppy dog expression. “I’m a really good helper.”

I should tell him no. That he should play with Shadow, or better yet, go back home and play there. But it’s like the words are stuck in my throat, not wanting to come out while he’s looking at me like that. He seems so eager to help, so… hopeful. And I can’t—don’t want to—disappoint him.

Dammit, this was not the plan.

“Have you ever used a screwdriver?” I lift the tool up in case he doesn’t recognize the word, which earns me a shake of his head.

I tilt my head toward the cupboards. “C’mon, I’ll show you.”

The excitement fills his eyes. “Really?”

“Yes.”

Kyle jumps from the counter immediately and joins me.

I show him the electric screwdriver, pointing to all the buttons and how to change the attachment, as well as which button to push to get it to start.

He startles slightly as the tool buzzes to life, his fingers tentatively wrapping around mine so he can feel the vibrations under his fingertips.

Only after he repeats everything to me, so I know he understands it, do I grab the first door.

Kyle helps me hold the door as I show him how to actually attach it to the cupboard.

For a while, we work in silence, the buzzing of the machine the only sound filling the room.

After a couple of doors, Kyle’s the one handing me the screws and holding the doors all on his own.

When there are only a handful of doors left, I look up at him.

“You wanna try it on your own?”

His eyes widen. “Yes! Can I?”

“Just be careful. Don’t touch the start button until I tell you to, okay?”

I hand him the machine, eyeing him to make sure he’s holding it properly before I grab the door and put it in place. Kyle picks up a screw, and I instruct him on how to place it before he screws it in place.

He looks up, a big grin on his mouth. “That’s so cool. Can I do another one?”

“Go ahead.”

His tongue peeks from the side of his mouth in concentration as I hold the next door for him. And for a kid that probably just started school, he’s really good at it, too. We’ve finished before I even realize it.

“Do you need to screw anything else?”

The corner of my mouth twitches upward. “Not now, but I know who to call when I do.”

He sighs dramatically, handing me back the machine, and I put it in the box.

“At least now I know how I can help Mom in the future.”

I turn to face him. The happy attitude is gone, his gaze goes distant for a moment, and I can feel my shoulders tense at the dark expression in his eyes.

He blinks it away, his gaze coming into focus.

“Didn’t your dad help?” The words are out before I can think them through.

It’s none of my business. There is no reason for me to meddle.

God knows I don’t want people to poke their noses in my life, but I can’t just ignore the change in him.

No kid should have to worry about how to help his mom with fixing their house, for God’s sake, especially when his father’s right there.

Kyle shakes his head and shrugs. “Dad’s not around much.”

My jaw clenches at his words, the way he’s trying to seem like he’s unbothered, but there is no missing the hurt in his eyes.

Shadow joins us, her body brushing against Kyle’s. He leans down and sinks his fingers into her fur, his face burrowing into her neck. Shadow licks his ear, and Kyle chuckles, just when a loud growl spreads through the room.

The growl that didn’t come from an animal, but from a boy sitting on the floor. Apparently, a very hungry boy.

The corner of his mouth lifts in a half smile. “Oops, that’s my belly.”

My eyes dart to the windows and the darkening sky, my brows pulling together. It was getting late. Not just that, a quick look at my phone confirms it is late. It’s almost eight, and Rose isn’t here. Something about that thought had my shoulders tensing.

Rose should have picked him up by now.

I glance at Kyle, who’s just tossing a ball to Shadow. He must feel my gaze because he turns to me.

“Does your mom know you’re here?”

Kyle shakes his head. “Mom was sleeping when I left, so I didn’t want to wake her up.”

I start to turn around toward the window once again, but his words have me pausing.

Rose was sleeping?

She doesn’t seem like a woman who takes naps, especially not when her son’s around. And to sleep past dinner time? The same woman who marched over here, worried out of her mind when she couldn’t find her son playing in their backyard the other day?

Yeah, I’d think not.

Something isn’t right here.

I look out the window once again, trying to see if I’ll spot the light coming from the cottage, but there is only darkness.

Cursing under my breath, I turn around, only to find Kyle standing there, a worried expression on his face.

Maybe he can’t hear, but he has no problem reading the tension radiating off of me.

“It’s dark outside,” he says, a deep frown etched between his brows as if it just now dawned on him how late it is. “Is Mom okay?”

Shit.

I was fucking this up and royally.

“I’m sure she just overslept.” I try to reassure him. “Why don’t you stay with Shadow, and I’ll?—”

Kyle shakes his head. “I have to go home.”

Fuck.

“Bye, Shadow.” He gives Shadow another scratch between the ears before he goes for the door.

Running my hand over my face, I let it drop and tap the side of my leg. “C’mon, Shadow.”

I can’t let the kid go alone. Not when I have no idea of what the hell he might find when he gets there.

The dog runs in front of me, catching up to the boy in no time. I hurry up my pace, trying to come up with a plan to distract him while I try to figure out what the hell is going on. Kyle looks over his shoulder at me.

“I’ll come with you. You shouldn’t be walking in the dark on your own.”

He nods, and I can see his body relax a little bit. He’s trying to act all brave, but he’s clearly worried. I place my hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “She’s fine.”

What if she’s not? The little voice at the back of my head taunts, but I push it back as we come to the cottage.

Kyle’s steps falter as we come closer, so I turn around and crouch down so we’re at the same level.

He bites at his lower lip, his gaze darting over my shoulder toward the house before returning to me.

There is uncertainty and a little bit of fear on his face that’s hard to miss.

He’s trying so hard to stay strong. I know because I’ve done the very same thing one too many times when I was younger.

“Shadow needs to do her business. Why don’t you look out for her while she does that, and I’ll go inside to check in on your mom? She really doesn’t like to be alone, so that would be a big help.”

“I don’t know.” Kyle looks down at the dog as he thinks over my offer. “I don’t want Shadow to be alone, but Mom will be worried if I don’t come home.”

“I’ll tell her you’re doing me a favor, and you’ll be back in no time. How’s that?”

Finally, after what feels like forever, Kyle nods. “Okay. I guess I can stay with her. But only for a little bit.”

I pat his shoulder. “Thanks, buddy.”

Straightening, I give Shadow the command to go do her business, and with one last glance at the two of them, I slip inside the house.

“Rose?” I call out, not wanting to startle her, but there is no answer. So I move to the back of the house, flipping on the light in the hallway. “Rose, are y?—”

The words die on my lips when I see her lying on the couch. Her eyes are closed, blanket tucked around her as she sleeps, curled on her side.

I let out a shaky breath as I walk around the table.

She looks so freaking small lying like this. Her face is pale, and since she’s not wearing any makeup, it’s easy to notice the dark circles under her eyes and the splotches of red on her cheeks.

Leaning down, I press my hand against her forehead, a stream of curses coming out when I feel the heat radiating off her skin. She’s burning up, the fever making her whole body shake slightly under the blanket.

Rose lets out a soft groan, her eyes blinking open. They’re hazy from sleep and fever, and it takes a bit for the recognition to set in.

“Ch-Chase?”

“Shh, I’ve gotcha, sweetheart.” I brush a sweaty strand out of her face.

“Wh-what—” Her voice is raspy, the words barely audible as she clears her throat and tries again. “What are you doing here?”

“You haven’t come to pick up Kyle.”

“Wh-what… K-Kyle?” She pushes into a sitting position, the blanket falling into her lap as she looks around, completely disoriented. “Wh-what time is it?”

“Late. And he’s outside with Shadow.”

Rose looks around, noticing the darkness. “Shit. I need?—”

Before I can react, she stands up, the sudden movement making her sway on her feet. Moving closer, I place my hands on her shoulders to steady her. “Easy there. You have a fever.”

Her breathing is ragged, her head lolling to the side. “N-No, I have?—”

“You have to lie down and try to rest. Did you take some medicine?”

She shakes her head softly, a frown appearing between her brows.

I bite back a curse. I want to scold her, tell her she should be taking better care of herself, but I hold my tongue, knowing it wouldn’t change anything.

“C’mon.” I wrap my arm around her waist. Rose tries to protest, but her body is too weak for it, so she rests her cheek against my chest. “Where do you keep your medicine?”

“Bathroom,” she mouths softly.