Page 24 of More Than a Helping Hand

Primrose’s expression says that she heard the entire conversation. She rubs her temples. “I can probably call my sister. She might be able to drive out and pick up Bailey from the clinic. I don’t want you to be inconvenienced.”

“I offered. She’s fine. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of leaving her in my care, I get it since we don’t know each other all that well.”

“It’s not that. I just feel bad.” And now Primrose won’t even look at me.

I could tell story after story about how I had to rely on others right after my parents died. But we aren’t sharing backstories yet. So I say, “Look, accepting help isn’t always easy. I know that from experience. But I want to help you. Please let me. Bailey can go with me to lunch and to dinner, and if Parker isn’t back by then, Bailey and I can play video games. The game room is right off the mess hall.”

After a glance at her phone screen, she sighs. “I don’t have time to argue with you.”

“We can just save the arguing for a different day. When you have more time.” I lift an eyebrow, hoping for a laugh.

Instead, I get an eye roll.

“I’m trusting you. And you have my number.” She spins and marches out of the barn. Probably before she changes her mind about trusting me.

I shoot off a text to Mason.

Me:Where are y’all?

Mason responds with a picture of Bailey petting a cow. If I’d stuck my head out the side door, I would’ve seen them.

Me:Cool. Don’t stray too far.

I walk out as Parker slides off his horse. “You go. Everything is good here. And keep us posted about Bluebonnet.”

“She says she’s fine, just a little bruising, but?—”

“But you have to see for yourself. I get it. Be safe and don’t drive like a crazy person.”

“Archer told me about how you drive.” He laughs as he heads to his truck.

I call after him, “Only on the racetrack and in emergency situations.”

CHAPTER9

PRIMROSE

I’m sitting at the table, sipping tea while my family finishes eating. My skipping dinner didn’t go unnoticed, so I told them I was going out for dinner. Paisley has been eyeing me, and I know she wants to know more about my mystery man, as she calls him, but I can’t say anything because Parker is sitting across the table from me. And while he’s paying extra attention to Bluebonnet after her accident, he could still hear.

He's being extra sweet to his wife. And besides a few bruises, she’s okay, but the way they look at each other is as sweet as Southern iced tea.

I have a love-hate relationship with family dinners. I love them because we laugh and catch up as a family. And Bailey gets to enjoy being part of this fun chaos. I love that she’s getting this chance to be close not just to her grandparents, but to her aunts and uncles.

What I hate is that seeing everyone else married and happy makes me feel more like a failure. And right now, it has me toying with the idea of canceling on Anderson. But since we’re supposed to meet in an hour, that would be mean.

Parker serves himself a second slice of pie while Paisley is telling a story about her youngest. My brother starts coughing and patting his chest.

And Paisley says, “If you’re choking, Primrose can do the Heimlich. She had to use it on her date the other night.”

Parker’s gaze snaps to mine, and there is no question that he knows. I shake my head ever so slightly because I am not ready to have this conversation with my family. And I don’t want Bailey to get wind of it either.

He coughs again. “I’m okay. Just a bit of whipped cream down the wrong pipe. But it’s good that you know the Heimlich. I’m happy about that.”

We both know he isn’t happy about the Heimlich. But I just smile because I feel enough self-imposed pressure for tonight’s date. There. I thought the word. Date. I’m going on a date with Anderson.

Paisley nudges my shoulder. “You said you needed to leave at six. It’s time. We don’t want you to be late for your dinner.”

“Right. I should go.” I stand and give Bailey a kiss on the head after saying my goodbyes.

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