Page 53 of Nanny for the Cowboy

It’s not terrifying or unnerving, though. If anything, that look in his hazel eyes just confirms his commitment to actually keeping me safe, this unspoken promise to protect me himself if necessary.

I don’t want to feel that so hard in my bones. I don’t want to sit here and swoon over what Brooks has implied. I don’twantto trust him implicitly.

But I do.

“Are you going to leave, Clover?”

Darby’s voice rocks me to my core, and I look up, past Brooks to where the kid is standing right in front of the sink.

“What makes you ask that?”

His shoulders are sagging down, and I can see how much trouble Darby is having with making eye contact. He’s clearly upset.

“Well…Dad is better. His arm is better. I figured that you would, umm, probably…go.”

My chest aches as I stare at Darby, each heartbeat feeling like a betrayal in my ribs. I can’t stand to see him like this.

When and if I leave, I know I’ll be breaking his heart. He’s already been through so much, and the idea of leaving him here makes me sick to my stomach.

Standing up, I go to him, taking Darby’s hands in mine. “I’m not planning on leaving any time soon, bud. Okay? So don’t worry.”

He perks up, excitement bubbling up from within him. At once, Darby wraps his arms around me for a crushing hug.

“Good. Cuz you just can’t.” He squeezes me again, then steps back with a massive grin. “Do I still get tablet time even though it rained yesterday?”

Looking between me and Brooks, Darby’s expression is hope and happiness, my words an easy reset button on his sadness.

Brooks sighs with a nod. “Yeah, bud, it’s fine. Go on.”

Darby hurries off, and I’m left standing in the kitchen with Brooks. The silence is painful.

When I look up at him, Brooks is facing the doorway, like he’s still watching Darby leave. His shoulders are slumped, and I can see the tension in his jaw from the side of his face.

He’s nervous. He’s…upset.

Because we both know that promise to Darby might be an empty one. Ugh.

It turns out that reprieve of guilt was only temporary. I sigh, dropping my head toward the floor. I don’t want to hurt Darby. I don’t want to hurt either of them.

“I know you want to make him happy.” I look up, but Brooks still isn’t facing me. “But don’t get his hopes up, okay?”

“I don’t intend to.” The sound of my voice barely breaks the air. “I…you still need help around here. The doctor still told you to take it easy. And I…I don’t have anywhere to rush off to. So…”

The words fall away. They feel hollow. I’m not saying so much, and I think we both know that. I chew on my lip as I’m left without a response, so I decide it’s best to just go to my room.

Everyone to your corners.

As I walk past Brooks, he snags my arm, stopping me in my tracks with a hand around my bicep. It doesn’t hurt. He’s not aggressive, but my eyes whip up to him.

“I’m serious, Clover. I?—”

“I get it, Brooks.” I furrow my brow at him, feeling worse than before. “I won’t tell Darby anything that might?—”

“Not that.” Brooks shakes his head, and I focus on his face, waiting for more. “I’m serious about protecting you. You don’t have to worry about some guy from your work. I won’t let him hurt you.”

He drops my arm, but I can’t move. My lips part as the emotions rise through me like a tsunami—destructive and unavoidable.

I nod, and in the quiet, Brooks nods back.

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