Page 27 of Someone to Hold
“I’ll coordinate with him,” I tell her. “We need to get to the cupcakes.”
The look of relief on his face is priceless, and he’s surprisingly good with the kids. He keeps them entertained without letting things devolve into mayhem, a fine line to walk.
“You should take a seat,” he tells me when the kids are back at their desks, happily munching on cupcakes and shouting out baby name suggestions to their teacher.
I roll my eyes. “I’m fine standing.”
“It’s obvious you’re tired. Your arms are trembling.”
“If it’s obvious, then you didn’t need to point it out,” I snap. “But thanks. Both for the reminder and for making it clear you’d have absolutely zero interest in a woman like me.” I plop down on the chair he’s moved behind the snack table.
My armpits ache more than my arms. The scooter is way more comfortable, even if it’s bulkier to maneuver. I’m so lost in my self-pitying thoughts that it takes me a minute to realize Chase is staring at me, slack-jawed.
“What?” I demand, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I never said I wouldn’t be interested in a woman like you.”
His voice is gruff, and with everyone else involved in baby shower activities, it feels like we’re in our own little bubble. But I’m not going down this road when I know where it leads.
“I don’t want to talk anymore. You’ve made your opinion clear on more than one occasion. You were Teddy’s friend and owe a debt to the McAllisters. Weallget it.”
He opens his mouth like he wants to argue, then shuts it again and shakes his head. “I didn’t say those words.”
Laurel skips up to the table with her two best friends. “Can Kate and Melody come over later to meet Fancy?” She offers Chase her most charming smile, which looks just like her father’s.
“No,” I say before he can answer. “I need your help in the greenhouse this afternoon. Maybe next week.”
“Mommy, please.” Even Laurel’s whine is adorable. “Luke can help you. He doesn’t have anything else to do.”
Right, because my son doesn’t have friends, just like Chase told me.
“Your mother makes the rules,” Chase tells her, seemingly unaffected by her cute pout. “When she says the time is right, your friends can meet Fancy. Not before.”
My daughter’s wispy brows pull together. Laurel isn’t used to hearing the word “no” from anyone. I’m not sure how clear her memories of her father are after two years, but Teddy rarely denied her anything. Even when it went against the rules I set.
I’m surprised Chase isn’t doing the same thing, and I don’t want to admit how much I appreciate it. I remind myself that it doesn’t matter if he isn’t interested in a woman like me because that’s not why he’s here. Having Chase around the next few weeks will get me closer to buying the farm and claiming the future I want for myself and my kids.
So what if it means more time with a man who thinks I’m notworthy of him? I spent enough years married to one of those. It won’t kill me.
I’m tougher than people think and more than what Chase Calhoun believes me to be.
I’m more than whatIbelieve myself to be. By the end of this flower season, everyone is going to know it.
10
MOLLY
The next fewdays go by in a flash as Chase, the kids, and I settle into a rhythm. Things between us still feel awkward, but that’s mostly a me problem.
Even with my best effort to hate him, it’s hard to ignore the fact that this man is quickly becoming someone I both like and rely on. He doesn’t treat me as if I’m lame or worthless or a woman he’d never be interested in. Quite the opposite, actually.
I wish he weren’t so Johnny-on-the-spot helpful and kind. That he didn’t have those intense eyes that bore a hole right through me. Or that almost reluctant smile. Or those muscles that make my mouth go dry every time they tense and flex.
Even Luke is starting to warm up to him—something I didn’t see coming.
Chase doesn’t act like working in the greenhouse, or helping me with planting and harvesting, is a burden. Or like he’d rather be somewhere else. I spent most of my marriage with a man who—I think—loved me in his own way, but often acted like he wanted to be somewhere else. The only time Chase shows even a flicker of annoyance is when I make one too many self-deprecating remarks or try to downplay my skill with growingflowers.
My mother-in-law likes to joke about me “playing in the dirt.” Somehow, I’ve internalized her opinion like it’s my own. I’m trying to change my mindset around that. If I’m going to make this business a success, I need to start treating it—and myself—like something worthy of people’s respect.
