The Rancher's Forever Family by Sasha Summers

Author:Sasha Summers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-02-11T20:05:55+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Hayden smoothed the blanket over Weston and crept from the nursery, closing the door behind him with care. It had been a big day. Weston was adding new words thanks to Lizzie’s encouragement and coaxing.

Lizzie. The woman had a powerful effect on him. And he had no idea what he should do about it. There is nothing to do. As much as he’d come to admire her, he knew their paths would lead them separate ways. Even if he was drawn to her—her spirit and charm, strength and laughter—there was no point in dwelling on something that couldn’t be. Instead, he’d be thankful for the encouragement she was giving his boy. She’d given Weston so much confidence.

Now it was Hayden’s turn to return the favor.

It wasn’t easy to come back from a trauma. The mind was a powerful thing. Once a person was that shaken, it was hard to trust yourself again. But Hayden knew Lizzie was ready. With Sierra’s help, she’d be back on her own two feet. After watching the two of them together, it had been clear he had no say-so in the choice. Sierra already thought Lizzie was hers. Now Lizzie needed to know that—to make it official.

A quick search showed the kitchen was neat as a pin.

And empty.

No Lizzie.

He frowned and turned slowly.

Where was she?

He’d been a little too aware of the way she was staring at his mouth to give her the appropriate reassurance. What had he said, exactly? All of his focus had been on not pulling her into his arms. Way to go, jackass. He sighed, headed back down the hall and knocked, softly, on her door.

No answer—the only sound was the rain beating down on the roof.

Was that it? Had leaving her alone with the storm brewing sent her into hiding? If he’d been thinking about her well-being versus the feel of her lips against his, he wouldn’t have made such a mistake. He shook his head, feeling like an ass. The last thing he wanted was to compound her stress. Their time was running out. The thought of her leaving... Well, he wanted to make the most of what little time they had left together. There was no ignoring the tightness in his chest.

He knocked again, then gripped either side of the door frame, that creeping tension pressing against his chest as a dozen things to say or do flitted through his brain. Some of which scared the shit out of him. The best way to start? “Lizzie, I’m sorry.” He cleared his throat. “I guess I got sidetracked...” Trying not to pull you close. “With Weston’s routine.” Which was a damn lie. “And I didn’t think about the rain. Or leaving you on your own. So...” He shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

“No worries,” Lizzie said.

He spun to find her standing at the end of the hall, a hesitant smile on her face and a stack of folded laundry in her arms. Charley and Sierra were flanking her and—maybe he was imagining it but—all three of them were giving him an odd look.

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