“Yes.”
He nods. “She is.”
I glance at him. “You like her.”
He pauses, then says carefully, “Tom’s my boss. Kitty is... family.”
Family.
The word makes my chest ache. I miss my brothers, even the well-intentioned, interfering parts of them. But I don’t miss feeling like I have to earn my place at the table. I don’t miss the constant worry that I’m too much or not enough or somehow both at once.
“Stew’s ready,” Tex says, turning back to the stove.
We eat at the small table near the fire. The stew is simple but good. The huckleberry pie is ridiculously sweet, warm, and buttery, and I make a sound that’s probably inappropriate for pie. Shay is one talented baker.
“Sorry,” I say, my face heating. “I’m... expressive about food.”
Tex is watching me with an expression I can't read. “I noticed.”
“My brothers tease me about it.” I shrug, trying for casual. “Apparently, when I like something, I eat like every bite is a religious experience.”
“Nothin’ wrong with that.”
I blink at him. “Some people think it’s...” I trail off, not sure how to finish.
“Too much?” he offers quietly.
I nod, my throat tight.
“I don’t.”
The simple, factual way he says it, like he's stating the weather, makes my eyes sting.
After dinner, Tex rinses the dishes immediately because, God forbid, there should be any sink clutter. No mess left behind.
I watch him for a moment. “I can help.”
“You’re tired.”
“That’s not an answer.”
He glances at me over his shoulder. “Go sit by the fire. I’ve got this.”
“But—”
“Jane.” His voice is gentle but firm. "You’ve had a long day. Let me do this.”
I want to argue. I always want to argue. But something in his expression stops me. He’s not dismissing me. He’s taking care of me.
I wander toward the living room and sink into the armchair by the fire, close enough that the heat warms my shins. My brain finally starts to slow, like it’s exhausted from being on high alert all day.
Tex steps up beside me, keeping a respectful distance. “You can take a shower. Bathroom’s stocked.”
“I already scoped it,” I admit.
He arches an eyebrow.
“What?” I say defensively. “It’s a new place. I had to.”
