After a moment she straightened, ending their brief contact. “You’re probably right.”
When she headed out of the barn, Gunner followed her.
“Thanks again for going with me tonight,” she said. “I don’t think I would’ve had the courage to do it alone.”
“Sure you would’ve. But I’m glad it turned out so well.”
She gave a wry grin. “Now I just have to figure out what to do about it.”
“What time do you want to head over there tomorrow?”
“End of the day again? Why don’t we aim to be there just before closing time.”
“Sounds good.”
She shook her head as they reached his bike. “I still can’t believe we found him so easily. But there are still so many unknowns. Does he have a relationship with Gavin and Cooper? Did my mom tell him about me? I mean, she was pregnant with me when they lived in the same town, so he has to know, right?”
“You would think.”
“So maybe he just didn’t want anything to do with me. Maybe he isn’t interested in knowing his long-lost daughter.”
“You can’t assume that. Who knows what was happeningat the time your mom got pregnant with you. He was married to someone else, remember? There are a lot of unknowns here.”
“I guess there’s only one way to fill in the missing gaps.” Her gaze connected with his and held on tight. Fear flickered in those green depths.
“He’d be the one to ask.”
“Yeah, but I might not like the answers.”
He softened at her vulnerability. He couldn’t even imagine being in her place. Not knowing if she’d been wanted by her biological father. Not knowing if he’d accept her appearance in his life now. “Whatever you find out about him and his decisions, it’s no reflection on you. You’re a wonderful person, Charlie, and you can handle this. You’re strong. Don’t forget that.”
Her gaze softened a moment before she reached out for a hug. Her arms wound around his neck.
She was small and pliable. Warm and welcoming. He held her to him, drew in the soft fragrance of her hair and the scent of sunshine on her skin. Despite their difference in size, she fit him perfectly. Tucked in below his chin just right.
“Thank you,” she whispered against his chest.
“You’re welcome.” Could she hear the way his heart thundered at the contact? He couldn’t bring himself to care.
When she let him go, it felt as if she took a piece of him with her.
Stupid.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets as they said good night, then watched her walk toward the house. Somehow, despite all his self-admonishments, despite his best intentions, he was falling for his boss.
Twenty-Eight
She was going to do it. Charlotte leaned to the left, holding tight to Gunner as he took a curve on the bike. She’d been going back and forth in her mind all day, weighing all the possibilities—the scariest of which was that Craig Burton knew all about her and hadn’t cared enough to even meet her.
But every time that scenario came to mind, she heard Gunner’s soft, adamant voice. “You can handle this, Charlie. You’re strong. Don’t forget that.”
The bottom line was, if she didn’t ask, she’d never know. Maybe Craig couldn’t care less about the daughter he’d produced. But maybe he wasn’t aware. And if that was the case, he had as much right to know about her as she had to know about him.
At least that’s what she told herself as they drove the familiar route toward Weaverville.
She leaned into Gunner’s back, resting her helmet against his shoulder, drawing from his strength. He hadn’t pressed her about what she would say to Craig when she picked up her truck. She was grateful for that. The ticking clock was pressure enough.
By the time they reached the gas station, fear coursed through her veins, tightening her chest, restricting air flow. She stepped off the bike onto legs that didn’t feel capable of supporting her weight.
