Page 83 of Hold the Line

“Yeah, I am,” she murmured, bringing our joined hands to her lips to kiss my knuckles. “They’re going to have a little engagement dinner on Saturday at my grandparents’ house. I’d love for you to come with me.”

This was a bridge we hadn’t crossed yet. I’d met most of her family, one on one, but never in any official capacity. For the past couple weeks, I’d found excuses to skip their Sunday dinners, and she hadn’t pushed. I didn’t quite know how to handle being around a family like the Kellys.

Deep down, I knew exactly what was holding me back. I was afraid they’d see us together and know Phoebe and I didn’t fit. That wasn’t fair to them, but that was where I was, and the phone call with Richie hadn’t helped my mindset.

“Not sure I can,” I hedged. “Got some work in the shed—deadlines I can’t miss. Plus, I’m planning on seeing Hailey. I’ll let you know.”

She let our hands fall between us on a sigh. “Okay. I’d really love for you to be there, and Hailey too, but I understand.”

“Thanks, sugar.” The words hovered on the edge of my tongue—I’ll come—but I couldn’t make myself say them. I just wasn’t ready for this step.

Phoebe might’ve understood this time, but what about next time? She had more patience and forgiveness than I deserved. If I didn’t get my act together, I knew I’d lose her.

I should’ve said yes.

I wanted to. Hell, I always wanted to be with Phoebe. There weren’t enough hours in the day to spend with her and turning down any time together felt as unnatural as breathing underwater.

But the words wouldn’t come.

I’d figure it out—I had to—for her. I just needed more time. I’d get there soon.

Besides, she didn’t need me there to have a good time with her family.

Everything would be all right.

Then why the hell does it feel like I’m messing everything up?

Chapter Thirty-five

Deacon

“You’remessingup,Deke!”Hailey screeched.

Startled, I looked up from the trim I was about to nail to the front of a drawer. “What’re you talking about?”

She hopped down from the stool she’d parked herself on in my shed and stalked over to the wood I’d just cut. Bending down, she picked up a strip and waved it at me.

“This one goesthere.The one you have belongs on the other drawer.”

I frowned, glancing between the trim in my hand and the one in hers.Dammit.She was right. If I’d nailed the wrong piece, I would’ve set myself back even further on a project that was already running late.

“You’re right, kid. Thanks for looking out.”

Dropping the trim and my nail gun on my workbench, I blew out a heavy breath and swiped my forehead with my forearm. When I turned back, Hailey stood with her hands on her hips, her sharp gaze locked onto me.

“What gives?” she demanded.

“What do you mean?”

She gestured wildly around the shed. “This place is kind of a mess.You’rekind of a mess. Last weekend, you were focused. Now, you’re all over the place. What gives?”

Linda had dropped Hailey off again today, same as last weekend. She’d wanted to see more of my carpentry projects, and I figured having an assistant wouldn’t hurt. The difference was, last time, I’d had my head on straight. Now? My thoughts were scattered to the winds.

More specifically, they were on the Kelly Ranch and how badly I was screwing up by not being there. Phoebe had gracefully accepted me turning her down, but I’d have to be blind not to notice she had been disappointed.

When we’d parted this morning, she’d told me she’d probably be home late. And it was there between us, the divide I’d caused—space that hadn’t been there before.

It worried me.

---