Page 80 of Teach Me How

“Remember Leah? From Halloween?”

He sits back, tilting his head like he’s trying to think. He glances at me, a twinkle in his eye. “I remember bunny ears and a white dress. A very nice morning that got interrupted, which is kind of funny in retrospect.”

“Stay on topic.”

He tilts his head, a stubborn expression settling on his features. “What topic is that?”

“Leah.”

“Why are we talking about Leah?”

“Because you’ve graduated to phase two of your training.”

He narrows his eyes. “My training? Oh.”

I don’t miss the way his expression falters. I can relate. My heart is thumping painfully and I feel slightly nauseous. But I need more from life than Silver Bend can offer, and he won’t move. If we won’t bend, we’ll have to be brave. “What’d you think of her?”

He frowns. “I thought she was vapid, and I didn’t like the way she was talking to you.”

“Talking to me?” I frown, trying to remember what he’s referring to. I shake my head. “She got her degree in nursing, which means she can basically live anywhere. She’s sweet and outgoing and loves kids. She’d make a great mom.”

“Whoa.” He holds up his hands. “Who’s talking about kids?”

I pause, scrutinizing his face. “You want kids, don’t you?”

He lets out a frustrated huff. “Yes.”

“You realize you need a female for that.”

“Yes. I’m aware, Reese.”

I navigate to more pictures of Leah. “Then you better start looking.”

“Maybe she’s not the kind of woman I want to marry.”

“Okay, describe your ideal woman.”

He studies my face, tapping my arm with a thick finger. “I’m looking at her.”

There’s a heavy pause between us. Thick silence. A hyperawareness of his proximity. Were his eyelashes always that long?

My heart starts beating wildly in my chest. “I got the job.” I blurt.

His expression remains neutral. The news doesn’t surprise him. “I knew you would.”

I feel like a bird trapped under a lion’s paws. “So, unless you plan to move, that’s a big commute just for a date. Silver Bend to Boulder.” My palms sweat and my breath feels fluttery. “Come with me.”

Who said that?

It’s like an out-of-body experience, watching words tumble off my lips without my permission.

He’s so sweet. Kind. And true to form, he lets me down gently. “You know I can’t.”

Why is that so easy for him to say?

I knew that would be his answer. It’s why I plunged headfirst into finding him a wife. Fake it ‘til you make it. But some small, silly part of me hoped he’d choose me over the monkey on his shoulder. “Why can’t you? I saw the way you looked driving through these mountains. You’re happy here.”

“There’s more to life than happiness.” He pauses, keeping his voice gentle and low. Like he’s talking to a skittish horse. “Reese, you know how it is for a farmer’s son. It’s a legacy and, like it or not, somebody has to carry it on. That farm’s been in my family’s care for over a century. Do I love farming? Honestly? No. But I don’t want to be the broken link.”

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