“I promise.”
“Then let’s shake on it.” He held out his hand.
Meeting his gaze, Tex put his hand, still damp from wiping away tears, in Monty’s much bigger one.
The absolute trust in those green eyes was breathtaking. Was he worthy of it? Big question.
His hand swallowed up Tex’s, but together they made the handshake work even better than their first one. “Thanks, Tex. I appreciate your help.”
“You’re welcome, Mister Monty.”
“Let’s set up the cot.”
“I gots to brush my teeth.”
“Oh. Of course you do.” He glanced at Zinnia.
“And change into your PJs, sweetie.”
“And go potty, Mommy.”
“Then we’d better head inside and take care of all that.”
“But I’m coming back out, right?”
“You are. I promise.” She started to lift him off the stool.
“Wait! I gots to tell Speckles and Monty I’m leaving.” Getting to his knees, he peered into the stall. “Don’t worry. I’ll be rrright back!” He slid quickly off the stool and made for the barn door. “Let’s go, Mommy!”
Graham gazed after them as they disappeared into the night. “Nice work.”
“I couldn’t stand to see him so unhappy.”
“Yeah, I figured that was torture for you. You have the softest heart of anyone I know.”
“And the softest head. I should be discouraging this hero-worship he’s got going on. Instead I’m leaning into it.”
“You don’t enjoy having a little kid dote on you?”
“Sure! Who wouldn’t? But I worry that he’ll get too attached.”
“Would that be a bad thing?”
“Not on the face of it, but…”
“You’re attracted to Zinnia.”
“Yessir.” He took a breath. “I’m gonna be honest with you, Graham. I’m not ready to jump into fatherhood, especially with a five-year-old.”
“I’d say that’s a natural reaction.”
“I have no experience with kids. I’m sure it’s different when you start out with a baby. You learn as you go. But a five-year-old? I wouldn’t know what to do.”
“Really? Just now you seemed to know exactly what to do.”
“Because I’m a middle kid in a large family. We’re the peacekeepers. Just because I could figure out this one situation doesn’t mean I could do it all the time.”
“Just to put your mind at ease, Zin is as leery of this deal as you are. She doesn’t want to get involved, either.”
