Page 35 of Make Me Whole
Obviously, he wasn't asking me on a date, he was probably only looking for someone to assist him. However, the little flicker of hope that'd sprouted a few nights ago, didn't quite see it the same way.
I felt it grow into something that would most definitely be detrimental to the tattered muscle behind my breastbone. Still, the words slipped from my mouth with no hesitancy at all. "I'd love to."
His half-smile morphed into a full-on grin that had the butterflies in my tummy taking note. "Great. We'll leave at 7."
Extending his long arm, he reached across the table and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl. Eyes still trained on me, he pushed to his feet. "I'll see you a bit later for another lesson." With that, he pivoted and ambled out of the kitchen with that unapologetic swagger only he could pull off.
It was impossible not to stare.
I sensed movement next to me and when I turned my head back, I found Mavis had claimed the spot Bradley had just vacated. The look on her face had a shiver of foreboding running down my spine.
"I never meddle," she immediately announced. "But today I need to." With a frown she pushed her salt-and-pepper strands behind her ear. "Well, more like offer a word of advice."
"Oookay." My confusion was evident in my drawled one-word response.
"I've been with this family for a very long time. Long enough to think of Bradley and Talia as my own." She looked in the direction of the entrance, drew in a deep breath and then continued, "That means I am not blind to their faults."
She gave me a pointed stare to which I responded, "Mavis, I'm not following."
"Bradley is a good man, but he is," her eyes flicked back and forth as she searched for the right word, "inexperienced when it comes to taking care of someone else's heart."
"We're just friends." The words left a strange taste in my mouth, something close to disappointment. I pushed it away and sat up a bit straighter. "I know we've been spending time together, but he's been helping me with some tasks and he's teaching me to ride. That's all it is." I heard the defensiveness in my voice, and I had no idea where it came from.
Mavis' hand covered mine and squeezed. "Just be careful, okay?"
"Careful of what?" Talia's cheery voice filled the air.
After she pulled her hand from mine, Mavis smiled sweetly as she stood. "I was warning Hailey not to get too comfortable with the horses; they can be a bit unpredictable."
"Agreed." Talia helped herself to a mug of freshly brewed coffee then she wandered over to where I was sitting and leaned against the counter. "How much longer does Mavis need you?"
I grabbed a new jar and proceeded to smooth a label onto the glass. "I'm not sure. Why?"
She brought her mug to her lips and took a generous sip. "Jessie and I have a shopping date. You should come."
Even though I'd only met her the other night, Jessie had talked with me as if she'd known me for ages. She had the same easy-going personality as Talia, and it hadn't taken long for me to feel comfortable around her.
I'd had friends over the years—or rather acquaintances because I couldn't remember ever going on shopping trips or meeting for coffee dates. And right up until that very second, I hadn't realized it was something I wanted.
"I'd love to." And then I remembered, "Oh, but I have a riding lesson with your brother later." At the mention of Bradley, I could feel Mavis' eyes on me.
Talia dismissively waved her hand through the air. "Pfft, you can miss one day. Besides, we're more fun than him."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Let me finish up with these jars and whatever else I still need to do."
Mavis' hand came to rest on my shoulder. "I'll finish up here. You go have fun."
Angling my head, I glanced up at her. "You're sure?"
"Absolutely."
After finishing up one more jar, I got up and looked down at my outfit—another tank top paired with jeans. "Uh, should I change first?"
"Nah, you're good." Talia had already wrapped her fingers around my upper arm and was ushering me out of the kitchen. The instant we stepped onto the porch my eyes darted to the horses as if it were the most natural thing in the world. As I knew I would, I spotted Bradley with Max.
Touching Talia's arm, I asked, "Would you mind if I quickly clue your brother in on the change of plans?" She shook her head, and I immediately rushed over to the pen.
With his back still to me, he rasped, "You're early." He turned slowly and sauntered toward the railing where I was standing. "A little eager to get started?" Was that heat I saw burning in his eyes? No, couldn't be.
