“I hate being scared.”
“Fear can protect us from dangerous situations.”
Her nose scrunched like she was thinking about that. “Like when I want to break a rule but I’m too scared, so I don’t?”
“Yeah, like that.”
She kicked a rock. “Jasmine, a girl at school, said that maybe my mom left because she was scared.”
What the fuck?
Avery’s mother had skipped town a few months ago without saying goodbye to her daughter or giving anyone, including Eastern, a reason. Even Kayden would like to know why the woman left.
“Regardless of why she isn’t here, you’ll always have your dad. He isn’t going anywhere. And neither am I or Cody.”
A small smile stretched her lips. “Jasmine also says I have a cute dad and uncles.”
Kayden wasn’t sure what he thought about being calledcuteby an eight-year-old girl. “And what did you say?”
“I told her that was disgusting.”
He threw his head back and laughed as they reached the door to Sugar and Spice. “Come on, you, let’s get that cookie before your dad finishes and tells us no.”
The smile disappeared from his face when he stepped inside to see Jake and Tilly across the room. They stood close, and he was handing her a phone.
Avery released his hand and ran around the tables to Harper, giving her a hug. He’d just started moving to follow Avery as Jake returned to Theo and Hendrix, dipping his head at Kayden as he reached the counter.
Avery spoke to Harper at a million miles a minute, while Kayden turned to Tilly, who was still on her feet. “Hey.”
The smile she gave him was soft. “Hey. Thank you so much for getting my car fixed and back to me. And for everything last night. I don’t know how you’ve gotten those contractors to agree to help me, but I’m so grateful. Words can’t even say what that means to me.”
One look at her tearstained face last night and he would have moved heaven and earth to make sure she was okay.
“It wasn’t any trouble.” Not true. The second the local mechanic, Ted, had heard who the favor was for, he’d been hesitant. That was until Kayden had pushed that she was a single woman living in a mountainous town and needed a safe car to drive that Ted had conceded.
“Still, thank you.” She touched his arm, and goddammit, he felt that touch everywhere. “How much do I owe you for the car repair?”
“I called in a favor. You’re fine.”
She shook her head. “Kayden, I need to pay for the work.”
“When you see Ted around town, just thank him.”
She pulled back. “Ted?”
Yeah, everyone knew him. He’d been another victim of her father—exactly why he hadn’t wanted to help. Fortunately, his conscience had gotten the better of him.
She wet her lips. “Okay, well, thanks again. And for everything else.”
“Your home, at the bare minimum, should be sealed, Tilly.”
The relief on her face gutted him. It was so distinct, anyone would think he’d just offered her a kidney. “Thank you.”
Harper rose to her feet. “Hey, Kayden. Sorry I can’t stick around to chat. I have to get to the bar now.”
“I’ll walk you,” Tilly said quickly.
“Before you go”—Kayden placed a hand on his niece’s shoulder—“Tilly, this is my niece, Eastern’s daughter, Avery. Avery, this is Tilly, who—”
