“I will, Princess. He’s eatin’ his dinner too.”
Jake kissed her cheek, and she walked out of view of the screen. “I’m trying to teach her to clean up after herself.”
“That’s good. Patty had me doin’ chores for as long as I can remember.”
Something was bothering Jake. Shea could tell by the strain in his eyes, which had all but vanished by the time he’d left Forget Me Not. And he didn’t like seeing it one damn bit.
“We had a good meeting with the therapist. And I know Stacey misses not only the ranch, but you as well.”
His heart accelerated. “She does, huh? How ’bout her daddy? He missin’ me?”
“Ridiculously.” The fire in Jake’s eyes told him the truth behind the words.
“I’m missin’ you somethin’ fierce too. You can tell me how much later.” He allowed himself a smile. “Or maybe show me.”
Jake’s eyes darted to the side, where he assumed Stacey was. “Ah, yeah, sure. How’s the ranch doing? Any more bookings?”
“Nah. Too hot right now. Just lettin’ it ride until we decide what to do.”
“I have some ideas.”
“Okay, well, hold that thought until tonight. Call me ’round eleven? Is that too late?”
Before Jake could answer, he heard Stacey call out, “Daddy, I put everything in the sink. I’m ready.”
“Not too late. I have lots to tell you, so maybe ten thirty?”
“Everythin’ okay, though? You’re lookin’ kind of tired.”
For a moment he thought Jake would say something, but he pressed his lips together. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“All right. Bye for now.”
“Bye.”
The phone call left him with an unsettled feeling in the pit of his stomach. Was Jake having second thoughts now that he was home? Shea didn’t think so, but anything could happen. He might’ve never been in love, but this gnawing emptiness inside him could only be solved by having Jake near.
Lost in thought, he walked into the ranch house and the kitchen, where Patty was busy cutting up a roasted chicken.
“Oh, good, you’re here. I thought it would be nice to have the chicken cold since it’s so hot outside. Can you get the salads out of the fridge, please?”
“Okay.”
Shea set the laptop on the counter, took out the potato and macaroni salads, and put them on the table, along with two plates. Patty placed the chicken on the platter in front of him, and they sat across from each other. He took his chicken and salads and gnawed on a leg.
“Speak to Jake?” She cut into her chicken breast, eyes on him.
“Yeah. Just came from a video chat with him and Stacey.”
“I miss that little one. Sure did brighten up the days around here, especially once she started talkin’. Everythin’ goin’ okay?”
Damned if he knew. “I guess.”
She set her fork down. “Well, somethin’s wrong.” Her eyes softened. “You miss him, don’t you? It’s in your eyes.”
He hadn’t yet spoken to Patty about the talk he and Jake had the last night of Jake’s visit.
“It’s funny, you know? I was so sure I had to leave to find happiness, but it was here, right in front of me.”
