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

CHAPTER TWO

CHASE

“How is she doing?” I ask the nurse, my head tilting to the side, but my gaze stays locked on the silver-headed woman sitting on a bench in the park, her gaze fixed toward the distance.

“Today’s been really hard, Mr. Williams.” Her voice is low, almost apologetic. “She was really upset this morning, but we finally got her to calm down a little while ago.”

I press my lips into a tight line, just as a body brushes against my leg. I drop my hand, my fingers sinking into the thick fur. Shadow licks my arm, her sole presence grounding me.

“Do you mind if I stay a little bit?”

“Mr. Williams, I?—”

“I won’t talk to her,” I reassure her.

“Just a few minutes.” The woman gives in with a sigh. “I can give you a call when she’s feeling better.”

Nodding, I move toward the set of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the inner park.

Or was it the courtyard? The fuck if I know.

It looks nice. Filled with trees and flowers, where people can tend the garden or just sit out in the open.

Mom used to love to be out in the garden; it was one of the reasons we picked this place for her, on top of the exceptional around-the-clock medical care.

I watch Mom’s frail form on the bench. Her shoulders are slumped, and the dress she’s wearing looks like it’s about to swallow her whole.

She must have lost some weight since the last time I was here.

Not that it was surprising, sometimes she got so lost in the past she forgot to eat.

Somebody braided her hair, letting it fall over her shoulder, the silvery strands shining under the bright sun, the vibrant red color now almost completely diminished, just like her spirit.

I clench my jaw as that familiar guilt finds its way to the surface, the longer I watch her.

Shadow must have felt it too because she nudges my hand in silent support.

I rub between her ears; we stay like that for a while longer before I turn around.

The nurse is talking with another woman, the two of them huddled together as they whisper amongst themselves.

I nod in their direction as I make my way out of the building.

Pulling the door to my truck open, I wait for Shadow to jump inside first. She plops on the passenger seat and glances at me expectantly as I slide into the truck and turn on the engine.

Grumbling softly, I lower the window as I get on the road. Shadow sticks her head out immediately, her tongue hanging on the side of her mouth as she enjoys the wind on her face on the drive back to Bluebonnet Creek; my mind is still on my mother.

The happy and carefree woman that she was in my early childhood died alongside our father that day of the car accident.

The two of them used to be that cheesy couple that was so freaking in love, even after years of marriage.

It took her a long time to recover after that, years really, but when I left for the military, she was feeling better.

Only when I came back did I find out how wrong I was.

She was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s a few years ago, but the illness had progressed recently to the point that she had more bad days than good ones.

These days, she was lost in the past more often than not, which caused her to be forgetful, get lost, and cause accidents around the house that could get her or somebody else hurt, which is why we had to put her in the medical facility so she could have somebody to take care of her twenty-four seven.

Becky had too much on her plate even before she had gotten a family of her own. Besides, she had already given too much of herself, jumping in after I was gone, taking care of our little brother and mother, who was clearly sick, but didn’t want any help.

And me?

I could barely take care of myself, especially in those early days after I just got home, much less somebody else.

But that doesn’t give me an excuse.

I should have been there for them, dammit.

I should have taken care of them.

Only I wasn’t there.

My jaw is set tight, fingers gripping the steering wheel as frustration sets in.

It should have been m ? —

My thoughts trail off when I spot a white truck in the distance that’s parked by the side of the road.

My eyes narrow as I notice the weird angle the truck is in, my foot lifting off the gas. My truck slows down, and I spot the woman standing beside it; her back is to me, but I can see the phone in her hand.

Maybe she got help, and I don’t need to stop?

I’m not in the mood to deal with people. And I sure as hell am not in the mood to play anybody’s savior.

As if somebody could ever think of you as a savior , the little voice at the back of my head taunts.

My fingers tighten around the steering wheel, my knuckles losing all color as flashes from the past pop in my mind, but I shove them back.

No, I was definitely nobody’s savior.

The hand holding the phone falls, her fingers tightening around the device. She runs the fingers of her free hand through her hair as she stares at the truck.

Shadow whines.

I curse under my breath and pull behind the white truck, pushing the door open. “Stay here.”

She must have heard the engine because the woman turned around.

The recognition sets in as a pair of doe-like, crystal blue eyes zero in on me, and it’s like I’ve been sucker punched.

Rose Hathaway.

Her rich brown hair shines brightly under the sunlight and falls in waves around her shoulders. The flowery sundress she’s wearing molds to her body like it’s made for her, accentuating her curves, and the high heels give her a few extra inches, tiny straps wrapping around her ankles.

Those pink lips part slightly. She lifts her hand, shielding her eyes from the sun, and by extension, my view.

From the corner of my eye, I see a black shadow jump from the truck.

Rose notices it, too, because she yelps and stumbles back.

“Shadow,” I call out, annoyed at the dog’s disobedience.

The German Shepard turns around and comes to me, but I don’t miss the judging gaze she shoots my way.

I might hate people, but my freaking dog loves them. When she was working, she had to question everything. Now that she’s officially retired, she’s using every chance to be social she can. Not that there are many, since I rarely leave my house.

Rose’s soft chuckle registers in my mind, so I lift my gaze, zeroing in on her mouth. “He scared me.”

She tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear, her chest heaving as she tries to catch her breath and regain some composure, but the only thing it does is make her tits press against the tight material of her dress.

Focus, Williams.

I shouldn’t be looking at her like that. Not only was she my sister’s childhood best friend, but she’s also married.

Like you have any business checking anybody out, the voice snickers.

I fucking know that.

Did I fucking know that.

“It’s a she,” I correct, and tilt my head to her truck. It was time to get my mind back on track, figure out if she needed my help, and get the hell out. “What happened?”

Those pink lips part at my sharp tone, her long lashes fluttering slightly at the sudden change of topic. I watch as the light shines over them, making them shimmer.

“I…” She clears her throat. “Sorry.”

I blink, noticing the slight flush to her cheeks.

Seriously? Get your freaking head out of the gutter, Williams.

“My tire burst as I was driving home. I just called the mechanic, but they told me there was an accident, and it’ll be a while before the tow truck can come here. So I’m waiting for them to come and get me.”

My brows pull together as the image of her swerving on the road, trying to regain control of her truck and not crash, pops into my mind, but then the rest of her sentence registers.

“Mechanic?” Why would she need to wait for a fucking mechanic? “What about your husband?”

Who the hell leaves their woman to fend for herself in a situation like this? He should get his ass from wherever he is and fix this, not make her wait God only knows how long, on the side of the road for a freaking mechanic.

My gaze is glued to those full lips, waiting for her response, so I don’t miss how they press together in a tight line. Slowly, I lift my gaze. Those blue eyes are hard, something dark shining in them for a second before she blinks it away.

“ Ex -husband.”

Although they’re spoken softly, so softly I probably wouldn’t hear them if I wasn’t paying attention, there is no mistaking the anger on her face.

The hard set of her shoulders.

The way her fingers curl into fists by her side.

Her jaw clenches, and I swear I can see something glisten in her eyes, but she quickly shakes her head and forces her body to relax.

“It’s fine. I’ll just find a tutorial online?—”

She turns her back to me, effectively dismissing me. My brows pull together as I tilt my head to the side so I can hear her better, but her voice is just a distant buzz in my ears.

“… myself… can’t… hard…”

The frown between my brows becomes deeper as I watch her. She looks at the truck, completely lost. But that only lasts for a moment because in the next heartbeat, she sucks in a deep breath, as if she’s bracing herself for the inevitable.

Shadow nudges me with her snout.

Cursing under my breath, I move on instinct, not giving myself time to question my sanity. I slip past her, making sure our bodies don’t touch as I pop open her trunk and find a spare inside. Thank fuck.

I pull it out, making sure it’s good to go, before grabbing a jack and lug wrench. Tools in hand, I make my way to the front of the truck to inspect the damage. I get down, biting back a groan as pain shoots up my leg and into my spine.

Placing the jack in place, I get to work. I’m just loosening the lug nuts when a shadow falls over me.

Slowly, I lift my gaze, which was a bad idea.

A very bad idea.

Rose is standing above me, those silky-smooth legs barely a few inches away from me. Her heels make her legs seem to go on for miles. Or maybe it’s this position. Her skirt falls all the way to her knees— thank fuck— the material shielding what’s hiding beneath it from my view.

When I finally meet her gaze, I find a fire blazing in her irises.

She crosses her arms over her chest. “What do you think you’re doing, Chase?”

There is this mix of defiance and uncertainty as she tilts her chin up, but she’s not willing to give in without a fight.

“Changing your tire.” I force the words out.

“I said I’d do it.”

I just quirk my brow in a silent question.

“What? I can do it.”

I huff out. “Have you ever changed a tire?”

She grinds her teeth, and I wonder if she’s contemplating strangling me for a moment.

“No,” she bites out. “But?—”

“Do you want to learn?”

The words are out before I can think better of them, and I’m not sure who’s more surprised by them, her or me.

Rose sucks in a breath, her arms falling by her sides as she shifts, her gaze not once leaving mine.

The air between us sizzles with something I can’t quite define. However, before I can think too much about it, Shadow joins us, her body brushing against Rose’s. Startled, she jumps a little when she sees the dog standing next to her.

I expect her to protest and ask me to call her off, but instead, her fingers flex, once, twice, before she tentatively places her hand on the dog’s head and gives her a scratch behind her ears.

Those slender fingers run through the fur, and Shadow lets out an appreciative sound as she tilts her head more into her touch.

The corner of Rose’s mouth lifts in a tentative smile, her gaze lifting to mine. “I—Yes.”

I am so lost in watching her that it takes me a moment to register her words.

Changing the tire, right.

“You’ll need these.” I point out the lug wrench and jack.

With one final scratch, she pulls her hand back and moves closer. I hold my breath until she comes to a stop next to me.

“Okay, and what then?”

Clearing my throat, I focus on changing the tire.

I walk her through the steps, showing her how to loosen the nuts and take off the tire before placing the new one.

I double-check that all the nuts are screwed in firmly before pushing to my feet.

My fingers curl around the lug wrench tightly as I fight that familiar jab of pain going through my leg.

“Make sure to go to Darrow’s to get a new tire. This is just a temp one; you shouldn’t be driving on it long or fast.”

“I’ll do that.” Rose nods, a smile curling her mouth. “Thank you so much for your help. It’s been a shitty day and… Thank you.”

There is a weird pressure in my chest as I stare at her, the seconds ticking by in silence. Although she was smiling, the feeling didn’t reach her eyes; she just looked tired. My fingers itch to reach for her and offer her some kind of comfort.

What the hell do you know about comfort, Lieutenant?

Nothing.

Abso-fucking-lutely nothing.

Shaking my head at my own stupidity, I bend down to grab the busted tire and take it to the trunk. I reach out to close it, when Rose does the same.

Our fingers collide, a zap of electricity snaps between us at the touch.

I glance down, her wide eyes meeting mine.

Her lips are slightly parted, her cheeks rosy.

My heart hammers inside my chest wildly as I just stare at her—the way her teeth graze over her lower lip before they sink into it, nibbling at the soft flesh.

My fingers itch, for what exactly, I have no idea, but just then, a speeding car passes by us.

Rose jumps back, breaking the contact. “ Shit, sorry.”

“You should get off the road,” I mutter, quickly closing her trunk.

“I—” Her tongue darts out to slide over her lower lip. “Thanks again.”

I nod silently, waiting, neither of us moving a muscle.

“Get in the truck, Rose,” I grumble, my voice coming out gruff.

“Right.” Those slender fingers are trembling when she runs them through her hair and repeats. “ Right .”

She turns around and walks away. I wait until she’s seated inside before tapping the side of my leg. Shadow joins me immediately, and we get into my truck.

I can feel my dog’s judging gaze on me while I wait, but I ignore it.

It takes Rose a moment to start the truck and get on the road, but only then do I follow behind.

She drives slowly, so I do the same as we make our way into town. The turn for my ranch comes and goes, but I don’t make an attempt to take it. Instead, I follow her all the way into Bluebonnet.

Shadow lets out a snort from her seat.

My fingers curl around the steering wheel.

Rose finally slows down in front of the school, where cars are already lined up for a school pickup.

With one last glance at the white truck, I drive down the street and get the hell away from there.