Page 143 of Traces Of You

“There is,” she said. “And speaking of winning, you’re going to let me cook in your kitchen, right?”

Brooke sighed. “I suppose. I can’t ruin it. Callum told me he wanted me to go into town with him before dinner. I thought it was to pick out what he was going to cook, but the minute I saw Ford’s truck, I knew what was really going on. And if me turning my kitchen over to you wasn’t acceptance enough, then I’ll say the words. You’re part of this family, Reenie. Whether you stay or go, that won’t ever change.”

“Thank you.”

“Now I’ve got to go change before my husband gets on my case about getting the truth out of you.”

“It will be our secret.”

Reenie left and got in Ford’s truck, then drove down the road. She needed more clothes to bring back to Ford’s. She’d said she’d stay through the weekend, but there’d been no more talk about it after that.

Knowing she still had a job, it was just easier to live here and go back and forth. She wasn’t so sure she wanted to be in Ford’s house alone while he was working.

They’d work it out, but what she wanted the most was to have an actual relationship.

Where they went on dates. He stayed with her, she stayed with him.

That she didn’tneedto have someone support her.

She didn’t feel forced to move in before she was ready because she might not have a place to stay.

As she turned down her long driveway, the tiny cabin came into view and for the first time in her life, a place truly felt like home.

There wasn’t much of hers inside, but the atmosphere surrounding her gave the significant punch to the gut of a reminder of where she was meant to be.

She unlocked the front door with a pep in her step over her bright future, only to stare in disbelief at the wreckage in front of her.

38

STRONG MOTIVATOR

“Reenie is cooking dinner tonight at Mom’s and she wants you there.”

“Me?” Clay asked. “Why?”

“She wants to thank everyone. Now that she doesn’t need to run or hide, she wants to stay and work here. She’s talking to Mom now about a job and paying rent.”

“First, Mom won’t take rent and you know that,” Clay said.

“I said that, but it’s not my place to argue.”

“Second, Mom needs the help and she loves having Reenie around. We assumed she would continue. I think if Reenie left, Mom would be the one to hunt her down.”

Ford laughed and rested his armpits on the crutches. He was ready to ditch them, but the last place he’d do it would be here in front of his family.

Around the house, he was only using one, but he’d be moving around more on the property and it’d be a test of sorts.

Didn’t mean he wasn’t putting weight on his leg to walk, just testing out his strength before he started physical therapy in a week.

“I didn’t want to tell Reenie that either.”

“Mom already planned on putting her on the books. We need to figure something out,” Clay said. “I’d like her to work events also, so if she’s willing, I’ll have her as an employee too.”

“She’d like that,” he said. He was happy to hear it and knew it’d go a long way for his girlfriend to realize that his brother didn’t dislike her or blame her for anything.

He’d not been happy when Reenie was talking about her feelings, but knew enough to let her speak her mind.

He’d never tell her outright she was wrong or that she was silly to feel what she was.