“Nothing.” She covers her smile with her small hand. “You know… they just talk about how big and rugged you are.”
“Well,” I shrug and finish off the plain donut, “I don’t know. I just never wanted to date. I got busy with work and life. Just figured I was too old to start over.”
“Do you still feel like that?”
I stare at the woman I’ve been thinking about for months. The only one I’ve shown interest in since my wife passed. “I don’t know what I think anymore.”
She nods slowly, the two of us locked in on each other the same way we were at the salon until Jasper’s footsteps come jogging down the hall again, this time with a clomping of boots that are clearly on the wrong feet.
Sara smiles and lifts him into her arms. She’s so gentle with him, so sweet as she kisses his head and rearranges the boots to their rightful place.
“Okay!” he shouts and wiggles away. “I’m ready to see the horses!”
“You’ve got to eat some breakfast first, and Mom has to get dressed.” She glances toward me. “Can he have a donut?”
I really need to grab some groceries. A growing boy can’t eat old donuts every day. “Sure can. I’ll make a trip to the store tomorrow so we can have something a little more nutritious.”
“Not necessary,” she says standing from the stool. “I’ll grab some stuff in town when I’m there this afternoon. I need to get a few things from the house, anyway.”
My chest tightens and my brows narrow. “The house? You have to go back there?”
She nods. “I didn’t grab much last night. I need more of my clothes and Jasper’s toys. I only brought the absolute essentials with me.”
I’m tempted to offer a shopping spree for all new things, but I understand the comfort brought from familiarity. “We can go to town together this afternoon. We’ll get your things and we’ll stop at the market.”
“I don’t want to bring you into all this. It’s my problem. I’ll deal with it.”
I step toward her, my hand resting on her shoulder. “As long as I’m here, I’m going to help you. So… why don’t you take your time, get dressed, maybe have a bath, and relax for a bit. I’m sure you could use it. I’ll take this guy outside to see the horses.” I glance down at Jasper, who’s stuffing a donut the size of his head into his mouth. “We’ll check the coop for eggs while we’re out there.”
“Are you sure? He can be a handful, especially when he’s excited.”
“I’m sure. You relax.” I lift the kid down from the chair, donut still in hand. “We’ll have fun out there. Right, Jasper?”
He nods and grabs his jacket with his free hand, tugging it on as best as he can while not letting go of the chocolate frosted pastry.
I know I shouldn’t get used to this… Sara’s warm presence, Jasper’s excitement, the noise in the house… but damn if it doesn’t feel good to pretend.
Chapter Five
Sara
I sink into the hot water of the clawfoot tub and stare out the window. This is clearly planned by a woman because it’s the most perfect arrangement of a bathroom I’ve ever seen. Not to mention the details in the tile and the pretty farmhouse sink.
For a second, a pang of guilt roars over me, not only because I’m less than twelve hours removed from my relationship with Pete and another man is playing with our son, but also because I’m most likely sitting in another woman’s bathtub while I fantasize about her husband.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper into the universe, hoping she hears me. “I’m so sorry. I know this is probably weird for you, but I really like him. He’s strong, sweet, and he makes me feel safe, but I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that. I mean, you—” I’m halfway through my strange apology when my phone rings on the chair near the tub.
It’s Ivy. I’m sure she’s worried about the drama I texted her late last night.
I wipe my hands on the towel near the chair and lift my phone to my ear. “Hey.”
“Hey!” She exhales quickly. “I only have like three seconds before I get swarmed by my family again. My brothers just decided to tear apart half my kitchen on a whim because thefaucet was dripping.” There’s a pause. “Anyway, I just saw your text. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, sorry to bug you. I know you’ve got your hands full. I just wanted someone to know where I was. I’m actually a lot better than I thought I’d be. It’s like… I don’t know… like I stepped out of some kind of fog and now everything is clear again.”
“Wow. Finally! I’m so proud of you.” I hear the echo of her hands clapping. “Pete didn’t deserve you. Also, huge bonus that you’re with the most eligible bachelor on Rugged Mountain. That guy is hot as hell. You should sow some oats for sure.”
“Oh my God! It’s not like that.”
