Page 32 of Make Me Trust Again
Is there a trace of surprise on his face? If there is, it’s gone in an instant. I look down at my son, who’s still observing the duo, and give him an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
“Hi,” Kyle squeaks, and lifts his hand in a small wave. His voice always comes out high-pitched and slightly wobbly when he’s nervous or put on the spot.Different.
I hold my breath, waiting for Chase’s reaction, annoyance, or displeasure, but there is nothing. Shadow, on the other hand, takes that as an invitation and stands up, making Kyle scoot closer to me, his arms wrapping around my middle.
“Shadow,” Chase warns in that low growl of his. “Sit.”
The dog plops her butt down, but her gaze is still locked on Kyle.
Chase looks at Kyle and says slowly. “She won’t hurt you.”
The gentleness in his tone is like a kick to my gut. I bite the inside of my cheek, my throat feeling tight. People always turn weird when I tell them about Kyle. Saying how sorry they are, and talking to me, instead of him, as if he can’t understand them, or if they do talk to him, they do it in a way as if he’s not capable of comprehending them.
Kyle nods at Chase but doesn’t make any attempt to pull back from me.
“He just needs time.”
Chase glances at me but doesn’t say anything. The silence stretches between us, and my gaze darts around, taking in the little cottage. “This looks really nice, Chase.”
“Cottage, right.”
He turns around and unlocks the door, walking inside, so we follow after him.
The front door leads into a small hallway. There is an open doorway on the right where a small kitchen is, just an oven, a few counters, and a fridge. Moving past it, I go down the hallway to the open living room.
Everything is decorated in earthy tones and wooden accents. There is a big, dark brown couch that is turned toward the TV mounted on the wall, and even a little fireplace on the side. But that’s not what grabs my attention; it’s the glass sliding door that leads to the back porch overlooking the woods. There are even a couple of chairs and a little table.
“This is beautiful,” I whisper in awe, as I move closer, trying to take it all in. “Did you do all this?”
Everything looks brand new. I can hardly believe that this is the same place they used as a cottage for ranch hands ages ago.
Chase rubs the back of his neck. “It’s not much.”
“It’s perfect.” Seeing this cottage, I’m not surprised he considered Merrick’s place a dump. “I don’t have words.”
Kyle tugs at my hand, drawing my attention.Can I look at my room?
“Sure thing.”I look around, but Chase’s faster.
“There are two bedrooms and a bathroom on the other side.”
I look up, just as Chase points at the door.
“Pick the one you want.”
Kyle nods, and without a backward glance, he dashes across the living room, pushing open the first door.
“I’ll leave you to settle in.”
Chase’s words have me turning around.
“Oh…” I tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear and let it fall. “Yeah, of course. I’m sure you’re busy. Just let me…” I pull my wallet out of my bag. “How much is the rent?”
When I look up, I find that frown back between Chase’s brows as he glares at my wallet as if it’s killed his puppy.
“I don’t want your money.”
I press my lips into a tight line. “Chase, we discussed this. I’m paying rent.”
