I wink back—hoping I didn’t misread his cue earlier.
When Connor walked into the house after Cole arrived, I knew something was wrong. The man was simmering beneath the surface—and a little pale. Ginger noticed too and asked who was outside.
That’s when Connor asked if I could step outside for a moment. Maybe invite Ellie’s grandfather in for some warm tarts. His eyes landing on my ring finger again. The way they had when I grabbed my suitcase.
Connor may be an intimidating man, and I’ve known him less than an hour, but I trust him. The man was counting on my help for something, and I didn’t think twice before giving a single nod and stepping out onto the front porch, where the glow of the setting sun caught my eye and a cool breeze brushed my skin. But nothing felt colder than the exchange between the two men a few feet from the house.
The rush I felt jumping to Dallas’s defense hit me hard.
It’s why I specifically touched his arm, letting my left hand linger in some poor effort of showing a united front.
The kiss wasn’t planned.
It was instinct. A pull.
An emotionally charged slam against my chest, letting the man standing opposite us know that if he’s here for Ellie—
He’ll have to go through both of us.
Which is laughable since Dallas and I haven’t been “united” about anything since the minute I arrived. Except when it comes to Ellie.
But when he put his hand on me, securing me against his side—everything in me tightened. Alarm bells going off at my body’s reaction to him. I swore I had more control. I swore the romance door had been nailed shut since the last man who stomped all over my heart, but clearly the butterflies in my stomach think they’ve found an exception.
Whatever it was, I came back down to earth with lightning speed when I stepped inside—and saw my suitcase.
Connor drags his gaze from the New York bag tag dangling off the handle back to me. “It was nice meeting you, Willow. Appreciate the pest control.” He glances at Dallas. “Even if it was temporary.”
Harsh. I’m not sure I’d refer to a grieving man as a pest—as unwelcome as his visit might have been—but Connor is right. Because that maniscoming back.
Dallas draws close to the porch steps, watching his father until he disappears inside the house.
I open my mouth—about to ask how I can help. Because I want to.
But the stubborn man cuts me off, jogging up the steps. I nearly jolt back from the proximity. That woodsy scent hitting me fast. A tease of what I’d be leaving behind.
If he lets me leave.
“That everything?” he rasps.
I blink. Then look down at my suitcase. “Yep.”
He avoids my eyes, lifting my case and carrying it to his trunk, popping it open and tossing it in.
He pauses with a heavy breath, dropping his head and resting his palms on the edge of the trunk bed. Like he doesn’t know what to do next.
My heart aches for him.
For Ellie too.
I worry that little girl’s got a battle ahead. But I’m happy for her at the same time. Because she’s got two men fighting to be the one to care for her. When I couldn’t even get one to call me on my birthday.
I edge closer from behind.
“Get in,” he barks, masking the tiny fact that he’s falling apart right now.
“Well, all right.” I nudge him aside with my hip and hop into the trunk of the SUV. Tapping my suitcase like I’m ready to hit the road.
He scowls. “I didn’t mean back here.”
