Page 13

A Few Moments Earlier

I watch Briar and Caleb walk across the front yard from the dining room window. Briar’s talking, her hands moving fluidly through the air as she tells what must be an animated story. Caleb stays by her side, hanging on her every word.

A pang of longing hits me square in the chest when Briar lowers her hand, and Caleb puts his hand in hers. She smiles down at him, giving his hand a tight squeeze. They’ve only spent one afternoon alone together, and he’s already reaching for her.

It’s not Briar I’m frustrated with. It’s me. I’m disappointed in myself for not knowing how to bridge the gap between me and my own son. For choosing a career that takes me away from him during such a critical time. I’m even doubting if I’m cut out to be his father.

I hated my parents growing up, and while the circumstances couldn’t be more different, I still worry Caleb will eventually feel the same way—blaming me for not doing more to be a part of his life when he was younger and then taking him from his home.

Briar looks my way before crouching beside Caleb and saying something I can’t decipher.

Seconds later, Caleb turns to face me with a megawatt grin, throwing me a thumbs-up.

I wave back, my throat tightening as I rub my chest. My earlier doubts fall away as I take in the rare bit of affection he offers me.

It has everything to do with Briar and her gift for drawing him out of his shell. Asking her to be his nanny was the best decision I could’ve made. She’s as invested in his progress as I am, and with her help, I think we’ll be okay.

It has me thinking about how to make the most of the time I do have with Caleb and be more attentive when we’re together.

Letting myself stew won’t solve anything.

That’s why I’ve made early morning runs around the cottage a priority.

The calm of watching the sunrise and the open fields helps clear my mind, so I can be fully present for Caleb once he’s awake.

Though I never intended to come back to Bluebell, I can’t deny I missed ranch life—riding horses, spending Saturdays patching up fences, and practicing my cattle-roping skills. I want him to get a taste of that world, even if it’s only for a fleeting summer.

When his gaze shifts away from me, I mouth a “thank you” to Briar, who immediately replies with a quick, “You’re welcome.”

I watch as she guides Caleb along the paved path that disappears behind the fenced-in chicken coops on the other side of the yard. It’s amazing how naturally my guard has come down around her.

Her cheery disposition and big heart are what draws people in, and Caleb is no exception, judging by how quickly he’s taken to her.

My biggest challenge? Resisting the urge to let my mind drift, picturing what it’d be like to kiss her pouty lips.

Holding her hand the day I asked her to be Caleb’s nanny hit me like an electric jolt, and that simple touch opened the damn floodgates.

I blame my reaction on the fact that I haven’t gotten laid in months, but I can’t deny her smile and touch are getting under my skin.

All I can hope is that it’s temporary because my life is messy enough as it is.

My attention shifts when I hear a sharp metallic clank, and I see Heath pulling up beside the house in an old pickup truck, the exhaust spitting out a cloud of dust. The paint is a faded blend of sea glass and rust, with more dents and scratches than I can count.

When he spots me at the window, he nods for me to come outside.

He smirks when I step onto the porch, giving me a once-over. “Not bad for a city boy. But if your goal is to blend in, you’ll need more than a pair of regular ol’ jeans.”

My gaze drops to my white button-up shirt and pants. I don’t get why he’s giving me grief. This is downright casual compared to the usual three-piece suits I wear to the office. I didn’t bother packing one since there’s no use for them in Bluebell.

I’ll admit, these jeans are a lot more comfortable than slacks.

I had my assistant pick them up at the mall before I left the city, though they don’t quite measure up to the Wranglers most folks around here wear.

I think I’ve avoided them because it feels like stepping back into my old life.

One I used to resent, but now am learning wasn’t all bad.

“Guess I’ll have to start wearing flannel and muddy boots again. Can’t have anyone thinking I’ve gone soft,” I say with a grin.

Heath comes over to clap me on the back. “One day tossing bales, and we’ll see if you’re still cocky.”

I scoff, offended by the insinuation. I might not spend my days roping cattle or mending fences anymore, but I run daily and lift weights regularly. I’m sure I could take on a full day of labor hauling hay—or any other task—without breaking a sweat.

“This the truck?” I nod to the vehicle behind Heath.

“Yup.” He tosses the keys in my direction, and I catch them in mid-air. “I had the shop do a full-service check, including new tires, new brakes, and an oil change.”

“Thanks, man; I really appreciate it.”

I drove a truck just like this in high school, and honestly, I’d take it over any fancy SUV I could have shipped in or being chauffeured around by Earl.

“No problem.” Heath leans against the truck, crossing his arms over his chest. “What are you doing at the house anyway? Shouldn’t you be busy saving the world with an app or something?”

I chuckle, tucking the keys in my back pocket. “ Or something . Briar’s watching Caleb today, and I wanted to keep an eye on them.” I grimace, aware I’m toeing the line between concerned and hovering.

Heath raises a brow. “Interesting. Be straight with me, Harding. Are you checking in on your kid or keeping tabs on my sister?”

I lower my gaze, nudging a loose rock with the toe of my shoe. “It’s her first day with Caleb, and I figured I’d stay close by in case they needed me.”

“I see.” He rubs his jaw, looking out over the pastures. “You sure that’s the only reason?”

I clear my throat. “I’m just keeping an eye out for Caleb, making sure he’s settling into the routine okay.”

“Uh-huh.” He glances at me, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Have any ladies in town caught your interest?”

“Nope.”

There is one woman I can’t stop thinking about, but technically she lives on the ranch and not in town. Although I’m not about to admit to Heath that I’m attracted to his sister.

The fact that we live under the same roof only makes it harder to keep my feelings in check.

I’m haunted by her big brown eyes, legs that go on for days, and the stubborn tilt to her chin that drives me wild.

Has it been a challenge not letting my mind wander when I hear the shower running down the hall?

Absolutely. Would I ever act on said temptation?

Absolutely not. She’s Caleb’s nanny now, and I know better than to cross boundaries, even if my imagination refuses to keep in line.

Heath pushes off the truck, tugging down the brim of his hat. “We’ll see. I have a hunch you’ll meet a nice country gal before summer’s over.” He grins.

“I don’t think so. I’m here for Caleb, and in a few months, we’re going back to New York, so a summer fling would hardly make sense.” I leave it there, hoping Heath won’t push further.

He presses his lips together, his features full of amusement. “Fair. But I’ll tell you what. If it stays that way, I owe you a hundred bucks. If not, you owe me.”

Sounds like an easy win. The fact that I’m attracted to Briar doesn’t mean I’d act on it. I push aside the flicker of doubt that tries to take root and extend my hand.

“You’ve got yourself a deal,” I say as we shake on it.

“We’ll see if you’re this confident by the end of the summer,” he says, a smug glint in his eyes. “Are you and Caleb staying for dinner? Ma should be home soon and planned to make pulled pork sandwiches with slaw and cornbread.”

I nod. “We’d love to.”

My mouth waters just thinking about Julie’s cooking. Despite all the Michelin-starred restaurants I’ve experienced, nothing beats a home-cooked meal at the Halsteads’.

Since we arrived in Bluebell, I’ve made simple dinners at the cottage, including mac and cheese and chicken nuggets. Briar’s been out every evening, probably at the ranch house or with friends. Part of me worries that we’ve pushed her out of her own space, and I decide to bring it up to her later.

Caleb’s bedtime routine is the highlight of my day. Since moving to Bluebell it’s when he’s most at peace, and now that the rest of his things have arrived from Chicago, there’s a new sense of comfort in having his belongings here with him.

Everything else from Amelia’s apartment has been boxed up and placed in storage where it’ll stay until Caleb is old enough to go through it and decide what he wants to keep.

She might not be around to watch him grow up, but the least I can do is preserve the pieces of her life that might one day help him feel closer to her.

After Caleb’s bath, he picks out the pajamas he’ll wear to bed, which are always one of three dinosaur-themed sets.

Tonight, I offer him two choices: a blue set with smiling Stegosauruses, Triceratops in party hats and tiny volcanoes erupting with confetti, or a black pair covered in glow-in-the-dark dinosaur skeletons.

He’s quick to point to the party hat pajamas.

“Can’t go wrong with dinosaurs in hats.” I smile, setting the others aside. “Arms up, buddy.”

He does as I ask, and I pull the shirt down over his head. Then I kneel so he can hold my shoulders as he steps into the pants, one leg at a time. After our failed nighttime routine during his first evening in my penthouse, he’s been more comfortable with me helping him get ready for bed.