What she felt for Matt wasn’t just attraction. It was the recognition of something deeper.A connection she’d never truly felt with anyone else. Not in the romantic sense.
Tessa’s fingers traced the outline of Matt’s figure in her sketch. She hadn’t meant to draw him there in the courtyard garden, but her hand had known what her mind was still struggling to accept. He belonged in the picture. He fit.
And maybe—just maybe—he could fit into her life too.
She’d been hiding. Using Rachel’s injury, her own grief, her temporary status in Bear Creek—all as shields against the possibility of wanting more. Of wanting him.
The realization made her chest tighten. Not with panic this time, but with something that felt dangerously like hope.
What would it be like to stop choosing nothing? To actually reach out and take what she wanted for once?
Tessa’s gaze lingered on the sketch, her throat tight with emotion. Matt’s figure seemed to stare back at her from the page, patient and steady, as if he’d wait for as long as it took for her to make up her mind.
“I’m going to head to bed,” Rachel announced, interrupting Tessa’s thoughts. She set the remote down and shifted, preparing to stand.
“Let me help you,” Tessa said automatically, setting her sketchbook aside and rising from her chair.
Rachel waved her off. “I can manage.”
“I know you can,” Tessa told her. “But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t accept help when it’s offered.” She raised an eyebrow at Rachel, who cracked a smile.
“Okay, I get it. I’m not the only one offering life advice today.” Rachel held out her arms, and Tessa helped her to stand.
“We’re such a pair,” Tessa said, supporting Rachel’s weight as they made their way across the room and along the hallway to the stairs.
“Aren’t we just?” Rachel winced as she stepped onto the first stair.
“You could shuffle up on your bottom like last night,” Tessa said.
“I could,” Rachel said with a grimace as she gripped the banister. “But I’m not going to. I need to start putting weight on this ankle if I’m going to get back to work.”
“Not too much weight,” Tessa cautioned as she supported Rachel on her weaker side. “I know you like to be independent, but if you push too hard, too fast...”
“I know, I know,” Rachel said. “But it’s hard.” She paused halfway up the stairs. “Being a single parent is tough. It’s like all of a sudden the responsibility all rests with me.”
“I’m here for you, whatever you need,” Tessa assured her.
“And if you fall in love and marry Matt Thornberg, then you’ll be here in Bear Creek forever.” Rachel flashed her a bright smile.
“You are already in dreamland,” Tessa said, rolling her eyes.
“Oh, I think not,” Rachel said. “Jenny told me that Matt only has eyes for you.”
“She did not!”
“Shh!” Rachel put her finger to her lips. “You’ll wake the girls.”
“Sorry.” Tessa covered her mouth.
“See, there it is.” Rachel pointed at her face. “Bright eyes, flushed cheeks…”
“Okay, you got me,” Tessa said. “And I’ve got you.” She wrapped her arm around Rachel’s waist. “Let’s get you to bed.”
Tessa helped Rachel to her bedroom, making sure she was settled comfortably with everything she might need within reach.
“You good?” she asked, adjusting the pillow under Rachel’s ankle one last time.
“Perfect. Now go get some rest yourself.” Rachel yawned widely. “You’ve earned it.”
