Page 72 of Make Me Trust Again (Bluebonnet Creek #3)

ROSE

The bell chimes as I step into the Reading Nook, only to be greeted with… silence? I look up and find half a dozen pairs of eyes fixed on me as the door closes behind me.

Is there something on my face?

“Good afternoon,” I say, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear as my stomach squeezes with nerves, but nobody says anything, until a low thump finally breaks the quiet.

“Oh, stop being so nosy and don’t stare at the poor girl!” Mrs. Miller chastises, glaring at the room. She makes a shooing motion as she clacks her tongue. “Off with you, busybodies.”

“I swear, people these days.” Mrs. Tyson shakes her head in agreement. “Come here, my darling. Just ignore them, hopefully they find something better to do.” She glares at them as she waves me over, so I join them at the counter, where Becky just placed their orders in front of them.

“What are you doing here?” she asks, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Umm…” My brows furrow in confusion. “I came for my shift?”

“Why? You should have stayed home. After everything that has happened these past few days, you deserve a few days off.”

“Oh… Right.” I guess people’s reaction makes much more sense now. “Well, it’s easier if I just focus on something. And if I ask Chase if he’s okay or if he needs something one more time, I fear he might throttle me.”

Rebecca chuckles softly. “That does sound like my brother. I’ve been texting him, but he’s been ignoring me.”

“Oh, he took Kyle and the two of them went to pick up the horses. I asked him to take a few days, at least until the doctor took out his stitches, but he insisted he’s fine.”

“Men,” Mrs. Miller scoffs. “Always acting all tough. It’s good that you’re keeping your eye on him.”

“That’s so true, Tillie.” Mrs. Tyson pats me softly on the arm, all serious now. “We heard what happened. What he did was so brave, not that I’m surprised. That boy always had a good heart.”

The corner of my mouth curls up. “He really does.”

“You found yourself a good one, Rose.” Mrs. Miller nods. “Not like John. I hate talking badly about the dead, God rest his soul, but that boy was troubled. What he did the other night was so wrong.”

“How is that sweet boy of yours doing after everything that happened?” Mrs. Tyson asks gently.

“He’s… processing.”

In reality, Kyle didn’t show any reaction.

He isn’t sad, and he doesn’t have any questions.

John might have been his father biologically, but for all intents and purposes, to Kyle, he was a stranger.

I tried to explain to him what would happen, and asked if he wanted to go to John’s funeral, but he only asked me if he had to.

I didn’t want to force him to go, but on the other hand, I didn’t want him to have any regrets either.

“That’s understandable.” Mrs. Miller gives my hand a squeeze. “Just be there for him if he needs you.”

“Yeah, that’s something I can easily do.”

The two of them leave the café shortly after, and I join Rebecca behind the counter, happy with the distraction. There is no avoiding the curious looks; they’re better than the pitying ones, at least.

An hour into my shift, Jessica enters the café dressed in her scrubs, a phone to her ear. “I don’t have time for this.”

The muffled response from the other side of the call has her pinching the bridge of her nose as she lets out a frustrated sigh. Rebecca and I exchange a look, matching worried expressions on our faces. “Well, this kind of behavior isn’t helping. I need to go. I have to get?—”

Loud yelling cuts off whatever she wanted to say, making the color drain from her face. She looks away, her voice dropping lower. “Then why are you even with me? Why just not break up already?”

My lips part in surprise as the silence stretches for a long moment before the muffled yelling continues, making her press her lips in a tight line.

“No, you said that! You are the one who’s clearly not happy in this relationship, so maybe we should just end it here…” Jessica listens for a moment before shaking her head. “I didn’t. You did, Damien. And I’m done playing your games and being your punching bag.”

Before he can say anything, Jessica hangs up the phone, her breathing heavy as she just stares at the screen.

“Did she just…?” Rebecca glances at me, and I simply nod. “Yup.”

“It was about damn time.” She winces as Jessica turns toward us. “Sorry, are you okay?”

“No, it’s fine. I just…” Jessica shakes her head. “I can’t deal with this now.”

“What can I do?”

“Fuel me up? I was supposed to be off until seven this evening, but they called me in early since there was some kind of emergency, and of course, my coffee machine decided today that it won’t work.”

“I’ll do you one better, how about I fill up that thermos you have with a backup for later? I’ll even throw in a dessert.”

Jessica’s shoulders relax slightly. “You’re a godsend, Becky.”

“I’ve gotcha.” Rebecca takes the thermos and turns around to the coffee machine, pressing the start button. “How is work?”

“Long. Hectic. Fulfilling.” She gives me a tentative look. “I heard about your ex. Aiden was called to the scene. He said there wasn’t anything that they could’ve done. Is it true that he took Kyle and shot Chase?”

“Unfortunately.”

“That’s just so crazy. I’m so sorry, Rose. I guess that was his karma, huh?”

“Rightfully so,” Rebecca mutters as she puts Jessica’s coffees on the counter along with her dessert. “Will you be coming to book club next week?”

Jessica places a twenty-dollar bill on the counter before sliding the dessert and thermos into her bag and grabbing the to-go cup. “Maybe? I need to see which days I’m working. I’m not sure I liked this one. The guy didn’t grovel nearly enough for my liking.”

“I agree.” Rebecca gives her a pointed look. “Gotta make them work for it.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll see you ladies later.”

“Don’t forget about this weekend!” I call out just as her phone buzzes to life again with an incoming call.

Damien.

She hangs up on her way out, muttering something under her breath as she reaches for the door, just as a man enters the café.

I open my mouth to tell her to watch out, but it’s already too late.

“ Shit. I’m so so—” Jessica sucks in a sharp breath as she lifts her gaze and stumbles back, all the color draining from her face. “M-Matthew.”

I follow the sound of laughter and murmuring voices once I get back home, all the way to the barn. The smell of hay and animals greets me the moment I step inside and find my two boys in one of the stalls.

Chase is standing next to Kyle, who has a brush in his hand and is slowly running it through the horse’s hair. Or is it fur? I have no idea.

“Is it good like this?” Kyle asks, tilting his head so he can see Chase’s face.

“You’re doing great. Just take it slow and gentle. We don’t want to spook him.”

“He’s so pretty.” Kyle shifts his attention to the horse, his stroke slow and even. “Can we go for a ride? Please?”

I let out a strangled sound at the idea of Kyle on a horse, all on his own. Chase’s head lifts, his eyes zeroing in on me across the room. Kyle notices it, so he glances at the door.

“Mom! Look at Blaze. Isn’t he pretty? Chase taught me how to brush him.”

“I can see that. But riding him? Aren’t you a bit too small for that?”

Kyle grows taller, a frown appearing between his brows. “Chase was riding horses when he was six!”

The man in question places a hand on his shoulder. His left hand. That’s out of the brace, although the doctor clearly told him to wear it for at least a week.

“In a few days, once I take out the stitches in my arm. How about you give him a carrot?”

Kyle nods, putting the brush away and taking the carrot from Chase’s arm.

The horse turns his head toward him, probably able to smell it, and reaches for it.

Kyle giggles in excitement as the horse eats the carrot, so Chase gives him another one.

The whole time, he stays close by, watching both of them. Always making sure Kyle is safe.

Once they’re done, Chase makes sure the horse is comfortable, his hand running gently over his back before they exit the stall. Kyle rushes past me, the dogs, who’ve been sleeping outside of the stall, following after him.

“Hey,” Chase greets, his mouth brushing against my neck. “How was work?”

“It was… interesting.” I glance at him as we make our way out of the barn. “Did you know your brother is back in town?”

“About that…” Chase rubs at the back of his neck.

“He was waiting for us when we got back home with the horses and asked if he could crash at the house until he finds something of his own. He’ll be sleeping on the couch, but I figured if we can get you guys moved into my place, he can take the cottage? ”

“Yes, of course.” I wiggle my brows. “Eager to get me into your bed, Williams?”

Chase’s eyes darken, his hungry gaze scanning over my face. “Always.”

“Do I get to pick out my room?”

We turn around to find Kyle watching us intently.

“Sure. Wanna go and do it now?”

Kyle’s eyes light up. “Can I?”

“Of course. It’s your home, too.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

Kyle grabs Chase’s arm and pulls him toward the back door.

I follow after them, listening to Kyle chatter, and we go through the kitchen and up the stairs.

Chase opens every door and shows him each of the rooms. Some are still clearly in the process of being remodeled, but Kyle settles on one that’s almost move-in ready.

“This one. Green’s my favorite color.”

“This one used to be my old room.”

That makes my son even happier. “I want this one. When can I move in?”

Chase chuckles softly. “When you pack your stuff, and we get you some furniture.”

“Can I decorate it?”

“I don’t see why not. It’s your room.”

Kyle throws himself at Chase, who catches him without a problem. “Thank you, Chase.”

Pulling back, he taps his leg to call the dogs. “Let’s go, we have to pack.”

Chase shakes his head, his eyes meeting mine as he crosses the room.

“I guess that means we’re packing?”

“I guess it does.”

Kyle’s rushing footsteps echo against the stairs as he descends them.

“You’re so good with him. Have you ever thought about having children of your own?”

Chase’s face turns serious, brows rising. “Are you trying to tell me something, sweetheart?”

“What?” I blink, the color rising up my cheeks. “N-No. It was just a question. I would never…”

“I know.” Chase chuckles softly. “I’m just teasing you. I never thought about it. I love Kyle. He’s an amazing kid, and I’m grateful to be a part of his life. I don’t need more than that.” Those piercing eyes focus on me as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “What about you?”

I graze my teeth over my lip, letting it pop out of my grasp.

“I grew up as an only child and wished I had siblings, but John never wanted more. Not after Kyle was born deaf.”

Chase’s jaw clenches, anger shining in his irises at the mention of John. “I hate that man.”

“I mean, he wasn’t wrong, I guess.” I shrug. “Kyle’s condition is genetic, so any child I have could be born deaf.”

“So what? There is nothing wrong with Kyle. He’s perfect just the way he is.”

The fierce protectiveness that Chase has towards my son makes my heart melt. Kyle’s lucky to have a man like Chase in his life. We both are.

“I wouldn’t change him for anything in the world.”

“He would be a very good big brother,” Chase remarks.

I bite the inside of my cheek. “He would.”

For a moment, we just stand there, looking at each other.

“You still haven’t given me an answer, sweetheart. If you could, would you have more children?”

Slowly, I nod. “Yes.”

Chase’s pupils dilate, his arms sliding lower on my back. “Good.”

“Good?” I chuckle softly. “That’s it?”

“I told you already, I’ll give you anything you want. You just have to say the word, and it’s yours.”

He did say that, didn’t he? And I know he means every single word.

“You.” I cup his face, my lips brushing against his.

“I want you, Chase. I want this life we’re building.

I want your love. I want to wake up next to you and fall asleep in your arms. I want your laughter, and I want to feel your body pressed against mine.

And, one day, I hope we get to fill this house with a family of our own. ”

“Yes, we can do that.”

“One step at a time?”

I press my lips against his, sealing my promise with a kiss. “One step at a time, sweetheart.”

Thank you so much for reading Make Me Trust Again!

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