“From what I’ve heard, you two have been seen around town lately. You went on two dates, one of which was a matinee.” Her mouth pulls down into a frown. “A matinee isn’t even a real date.”
I bristle at her words, my voice turning flat. “As I explained to Arden when I asked her to the movies, my life out at Sagebrush isn’t what most people are used to. I’m up before most people would ever consider getting out of bed. Because I’m up early, I go to sleep early. Staying out late makes it harder for me to get up in the morning and when I’m not at my best, someone or one of my animals could be hurt.”
Ginger swallows hard and looks down at her hands which are folded in her lap. When she looks back into my eyes, I see where my Sunflower gets her strength. I see the same fire burning in both their eyes.
“I also took her out to Sagebrush. I wanted to show her the land. The picnic I made wasn’t much, but I made it by myself andall for her,” I admit to her, knowing it wasn’t the best picnic on record and remembering how the night ended.
I think we bounced back fairly good though.
“That one might not have made circulation in town.” When Ginger flinches slightly I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be short with you, but I was. I’ll try and do better.”
She blinks at me a few times before relaxing. “I can see why Arden likes you so much,” there’s a wistful quality to her voice. “You owned up to bad behavior without making an excuse or passing blame off on someone else. And you presented what you’re going to do going forward.” She looks me over with a new level of appreciation in her gaze. “Not many people, men especially I’ve found, have that quality.”
I nod slowly. “I have been taught how not to treat others by my mother over the years, and not in a good way,” the words taste like acid, but I feel the need to share some of myself with her. “I have recently cut off contact with her. I’m done waiting for a family to show up who will never be what I need.”
“And who is the family you need?” Ginger watches me carefully as she asks the question, gauging my reaction.
My shoulders relax because this is not a test I can fail. “Arden is my family,” I admit, the words honest and filled with something like hope. “I’ve also found that Kendrick and Eliza are proving to be good friends.” Ginger smiles faintly, I’m sure because Eliza has been in her life for a long time. “I’m hoping you will be part of our family. I don’t have anyone else; the rest of my family is dead or lost to me. Arden is going to need you there with her.”
“I would never miss out on anything with my daughter,” her voice trembles and I nod in understanding.
“I didn’t think you would, but if you have a problem with me, if you don’t think I’m right for her, then Arden may feel the need to choose. It’s the last thing I want.”
Ginger makes a humming sound, “I’m starting to see why Arden would choose you in such a scenario.”
I feel my cheeks heat slightly and I’m glad for the coverage my beard gives me. “She shouldn’t have to, that’s the point. She deserves to be surrounded by happiness.”
Ginger nods and swallows hard. “Her father,” her voice is thready and I have to strain to hear her, “wasn’t a good man. Over the years I’ve noticed how Arden shies away from males. I was okay with it at first because it kept her from dating.”
“I’m okay with it too,” I tease her and she cracks a small smile.
She shakes her head, “No,” she breathes out before clearing her throat and trying again, “No. I should have stepped in because she missed out on some things and experiences she’ll never get back. I allowed her to give into her fear for far too long. I should have seen it.”
I take a deep breath and think about how Arden and I talked about her mom and how she never got any real help after moving to Seneca Falls. “Maybe you should consider some counseling.” Ginger’s eyes snap up to meet mine and narrow. I hold my hands up in surrender and keep my voice gentle, “I’m not saying you didn’t do your best, but as a nurse you know that you need to call in a consultation sometimes. If you were one of your patients, would you tell them to see a therapist?
“Yes,” she admits and scrunches up her face.
I chuckle softly, seeing so much of my woman in her mom. “Arden is worried about you. She wants you to be happy, but she also sees why you shut down, and when. She tries to talk to you, and you blow her off even though she only wants what is best for you.”
Ginger swallows hard and won’t meet my gaze as she nods.
“Your daughter loves you. She also told me a ton of silly stories about you.” Ginger’s bright grin has me smiling right back at her. “She also told me what she remembers about moving here and why.”
Ginger’s expression drops and her fingers twist together. “She talked to you about that?” Her voice shakes as she askes the question, but she manages it.
I nod slowly. “She told me what she could remember, which isn’t much.”
“I didn’t realize how much it shaped her life,” Ginger says, her words pleading with me like I’m the one who needs to understand. I don’t; Arden does. “I thought getting out was enough.”
“It was a damn good start,” I reassure her, “and there is still time to get the rest of it right.”
She nods and silence stretches between us. I can almost hear the wheels in her head turning as she mulls over my words.
“Your daughter is a very special woman,” I tell Ginger, my voice thick with the love I have for my woman. “She made me heart cookies yesterday,” a smile plays on her lips, but it falls when I add, “with Happy Birthday written on them. She made them and gave them to me as if that would be enough to heal allmy past hurts. I was already in love with her, but I fell deeper then.”
“But yesterday was Valentine’s Day,” she says it like it’s obvious.
And it is.
