Bittersweet Promises by Patricia Watters

Author:Patricia Watters [Watters, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Bachelor, Single Mother, Hearts Desire, Clean & Wholesome, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Animals-Horses & Cattle, Beautiful & Feisty, Cowboy & Western Romance
Publisher: Patricia Watters
Published: 2020-03-20T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

The next day, while Peio stood on a stool stirring the huge pot of beans bubbling on the stove, Tess eyed him dubiously. So far today there had been no major incidents, but the night before, Peio tested her patience to the limits by stuffing toilet paper into the bowl and flushing until the water rose and welled over the edge, cascading to the floor. She'd held her temper, but resolved to discuss the incident with Zak. She had no idea how to handle the boy.

Peio glanced around, and catching her watching, glared at her.

On the other hand, he'd been a model child with the men while they waited for breakfast earlier. They'd ruffled his hair and tussled with him, and he responded by laughing and wanting more. But once alone with her, he became sullen again. Tess willed herself to be patient, repeating silently that Peio's behavior was the result of being confronted with the prospect of another mother when he hadn't let go of the one he'd lost. She even considered assuring him that she was not, and would never be, a contender for a mother because his father would only marry a Basque woman, and she wasn't Basque. But somehow she couldn't bring herself to have that conversation with him.

Still she couldn't help feeling disappointed. She'd hoped Peio would have warmed by now, but instead, he was more detached than before, refusing to talk to her.

Shortly after lunch Zak returned. When Peio saw his truck, he raced out of the cook shack to meet him. Zak caught him in a mid-air leap and the boy wrapped himself around his father. Tess stood in the doorway to the cook shack, watching. Zak looked past Peio at her and winked. "Thanks for stepping in for me. How did you two get on?"

Tess walked to where Zak stood with Peio. "It was... fine," she said. "The men enjoyed having him."

Zak looked at her as if to say, only the men? When Tess shrugged and offer nothing more, he said, "Is it something we need to talk about?"

"No. Just a touch of reality. Peio misses his mother."

Zak set Peio down and he scampered off to watch the men, who were leaving the cook shack. Turning to Tess, he said, "Tomorrow's the Taureau de Feu Festival in Navarre and I'll be taking Peio, which should help lift his spirits, and I want you to come with us."

Tess shook her head. "Out of the question. Peio wouldn't want me along. He's been testing me for two days and I know it's because he thinks I'm a prospective mother. I came close to assuring him he had no worries along those lines."

"Look, maybe I didn't explain things about Mirande and me very well the other day. Come with us tomorrow and it'll give me time to try and set things straight." Zak placed his hand on her shoulder and looked at her solemnly. "Please give me this day."

As Tess peered into his soulful

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