Page 7 of Make Me Trust Again (Bluebonnet Creek #3)

CHAPTER FIVE

ROSE

“ Mom !” Kyle yells loudly, demanding my attention.

I glance over my shoulder at him to find him bouncing on the balls of his feet. That’s how excited he’s been.

The corner of my mouth lifts upward, fighting a smile. “In a little bit. Patience."

He rolls his eyes. “Hurry up!”

Closing the lid on the plastic container, I stare at the mountain of cookies I have left on the counter.

Summer break has started, and since Kyle loves chocolate chip cookies, I’ve decided to bake some, and he offered to help, which is how we spent yesterday afternoon.

By the time we were done, there was flour and chocolate everywhere, but I didn’t mind the mess because my boy was giggling the whole time, something I needed after the fiasco of the last few days.

John was still being an asshole about the divorce, and on top of that, my dad found out that I was looking at houses, which caused a whole discussion yesterday during dinner, but I refused to give in.

I am twenty-five, for God’s sake! I can’t live with my parents forever.

Kyle and I need a home of our own. We need space and stability. And yes, maybe Bluebonnet’s real estate market isn’t the best, and the little cottage that’s in our budget is far from perfect, but we can make it work.

I will make it work.

Thinking about the cottage brings surly hazel eyes to the forefront of my mind. The weight of Chase’s body as he pinned me to the ground when that gutter fell. His tall, lean frame pressed against me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man move that fast. The wild look in his eyes, the utter terror.

I bite the inside of my cheek. I wanted to check in on him after what happened. He disappeared so quickly; I didn’t even have time to tell him thank you for saving me. Again. That was twice now, or was it three times?

“ Mom !” Kyle’s groan snaps me out of my thoughts.

I give him my sternest look and lift one finger in warning. Kyle closes his mouth, and my gaze falls on the cookies.

Before I can think too much about it, I grab a plate from the cupboard and stack it with cookies before wrapping it in foil. With box and plate in hand, I turn around to find my son watching me expectantly.

Are we going yet?

I raise my brow. “You wanna stay home?”

He shakes his head.

“I didn’t think so.” I notice the backpack on his shoulders. “Do you have everything?”

“Yes! Can we go now?” He lifts his hands in exasperation, and I can’t help but chuckle.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

The smile he flashes me is almost blinding, and before I know it, he’s running toward the front door.

Shaking my head at his retreating back, I quickly grab my bag and follow after him. I’m barely out of the door by the time Kyle is inside the truck, bouncing in his booster seat.

I slide inside, placing my things next to me. My gaze darts up as I make sure that he’s all buckled in before starting the car.

The drive is short, something I’m thankful for because Kyle all but falls out of the truck when I pull in front of a tall, two-story colonial house.

I unbuckle my seatbelt and grab the plastic box before following Kyle. I barely make it to the front porch before he’s ringing the doorbell.

I place my hand on his shoulder and wait for him to look at me. Most moms would call out to their child. If I’m being honest, some days I still struggle with that. It came natural to me to raise my voice or simply speak to get somebody’s attention, but Kyle couldn’t hear me.

“Let’s try not to break down the door?”

Kyle gives me a sheepish grin. One of his front teeth is askew. He’s been complaining that it’s been loose, and it looked like it would fall out sooner rather than later.

The sound of soft footsteps comes, and the moment the door swings open, a loud cheer rings in the air as a small boy crashes into Kyle, pulling him into a hug.

“You’d think they haven’t seen each other in months.” Savannah chuckles softly, shifting a small bundle from one arm to another.

“I know; Kyle’s been so impatient the whole morning.” My gaze falls to the baby nestled against her chest, and I can feel my heart melt. “Oh, my, she’s precious,” I whisper softly, so as not to wake her.

Savannah glances down at her daughter, who is dressed in the cutest pink onesie with a matching white and pink bow sitting on her head. Her soft blonde curls are wild around her head, making my fingers itch to smooth them back, and inhale her sweet baby scent.

“She’s precious now.” Savannah brushes her lips over the top of the baby’s head.

“You wouldn’t think the same if you came fifteen minutes earlier.

She’s been fussy today and couldn’t fall asleep in her bed.

I tried putting her down after she fell asleep in my arms, but nope, she wakes up every time, so I just gave up.

I think she might be teething. God knows. ”

“Could be. She’s what? Six months old?”

“Yes, I can’t believe it. It feels like we brought her home from the hospital just yesterday.”

“That first year passes so fast,” I agree, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Are you sure you’re up for this? Levi could have come to our place.”

She waves me off. “It’s fine. They’ll play together, so I’m not worried about that.”

“Well, if it becomes too much, just give me a call, and I’ll be back as soon as I can. Also, I brought cookies for everybody.”

Savannah takes the box from me. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“It’s not a problem. Helping me bake entertained Kyle for a little while at least.”

My gaze shifts to the two boys to find them signing to each other. Levi’s brows are pulled together in concentration as he tries to remember something.

“He asked us if he could take an ASL class so he could get better at talking with his hands. So Blake will be taking him twice a week over the summer.”

My throat grows tight at Savannah’s words.

I can’t even begin to explain to her how much this means to me, to Kyle.

Yes, he can read lips and interact with people, but it is rare to have people who are willing to go that extra mile and learn how to speak his language.

Levi is one of those rare gems. He is trying so hard, and I love him for it.

“That’s amazing.”

Both boys turn around, and I wave Kyle over before he can dash away with his friend. “Be good for Miss Parker, okay?”

Okay. I love you.

I love you, too.

The two boys slip into the house, and I turn to Savannah. “Two hours, okay? If you want some peace before that, just call me. I mean it.”

“That’s fine.”

Nodding, I start to pull back, but then I remember. “Hey, I have a question. Do you know if maybe your old place was fixed?”

Last year, Savannah had decided to move into her grandmother’s house after the cottage she lived in flooded badly to the point they had to do some serious renovations, but maybe if it was fixed…

Savannah’s brows pull together in confusion. “I think I heard recently that Mr. Miles sold the cottage. Why?”

“Dang it.” So much for my luck. “I’m looking for a place for me and Kyle. I’ve been staying with my parents since the divorce, and well… My options in Bluebonnet are limited.”

“Oh, I know all about it.” There is sympathy on her face as she gives me a small smile. “I’m lucky that Grams left me this house because I don’t know what I would have done otherwise. If I hear something, I can let you know.”

“Thank you. I’d really appreciate that.”

Was I going the right way?

It’s been ages since I wandered down this road, but I was pretty sure I was going in the right direction. Was the house always this far away?

Back in high school, we’d often come here.

Just as you were leaving Bluebonnet, there was a small gravel road that led out to the ranches where the Santiagos, Fernandezes, and Williamses lived, surrounded by acres of land and woods.

There, in the middle of it all, on Santiago land, was a small pond where Emmett invited us to party and swim during the summer.

Finally, I see another road connecting to the main one. Sighing in relief, I take a turn and follow the path until a big two-story farmhouse comes into view.

Pulling to a stop, I kill the engine and let out a shaky breath as I stare out the windshield.

The house is beautiful, with its almost creamy walls, dark brown shutters, and fence around the front porch—although a bit rough around the edges.

Some of the color is peeling off at certain places, and there is a little rose garden planted in front of the porch, but it looks sad, as if nobody takes care of it.

Still, there are a few rosebuds there. They are small, but they aren’t giving up.

I stare at those flowers for way too long, feeling a strange kinship with my namesake.

Shaking my head at myself, I push open the door and slide out, only to be greeted by the silence that has me pausing.

Granted, Bluebonnet Creek is a small town, and nobody could say it’s bustling with activity and noise, but there was a stillness here that even I wasn’t accustomed to.

Maybe he wasn’t home?

The driveway was empty, but that didn’t mean anything since this place was huge, and there was a gravel road that led to the back of the house, where, if I remember correctly, there was a barn.

Rebecca’s family used to own a ranch, most of which was sold after her father died in a car accident when we were kids.

I should have probably called, but it’s not like I had his number, and I had a feeling that even if I did, he’d tell me not to bother, still… My mother raised me better than that.

Leaning over the driver’s seat, I grab the plate from the passenger’s side and close the door.

I scan the space as I make my way up to the porch. The wood creaks softly under my weight as I climb the steps. There is a swing on the porch along with a little table, but there are no cushions or pillows to signal anybody is actually using it.

I shift the plate in one hand, my palms clammy with nerves.

Just get it over with, I chastise myself, and ring the doorbell.