“But it’s her job.”
“She’s paid to take care of you and your family, not my son and me.”
“But—” His gaze took in the open suitcase on the bed. “What’s going on, Liv?”
“Tomorrow morning, Brodie and I are going home.”
“You can’t.”
She stuffed Brodie’s dirty clothes in the front zippered pocket of her suitcase. “I absolutely can. After tonight, there’s no more reason to stay.”
“No reason? Didn’t I give you one last night?”
A cold lump settled in the center of her chest. If only she could believe he wanted to explore a life with her and Brodie.
The team had spent all day working through scenario after scenario until everyone knew their part. And all day, she’d waited for a sign from Zeke that he didn’t regret his passionate plea for commitment.
But the only signpost she located was Keep Your Distance.
She couldn’t even be upset with him. How many times had memories of their one night together led her down the dangerous path of envisioning there could be more between them?
Too many.
She cleared her throat. “Things got a little heated—”
“Dammit, Liv. That wasn’t my dick talking last night.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I know.”The words came out guttural and raw.
“Mama!” Brodie ran in, pulling something from a wicker basket that bounced against his hip. He proudly displayed a bluegill the size of his hand. “Look at what I caught.”
Liv forced a smile. Felt it wobble. “You did great, sweetheart.”
“Look how big it is, Zeke!”
Zeke tore his attention from her and made a show of inspecting the fish. “Perfect frying size.”
Brodie stared at his catch. “You want to cook it?”
“Of course, silly,” Sadie said, breathless, as if she’d run all the way from the pond. They probably both had. “It’s dead. Not cooking it would be wasteful.” She scrunched up her nose in thought. “We could throw it in the field and leave it to the varmints, but bluegill taste so good.”
Sadie’s smile faded when she realized Brodie was no longer listening. Liv looked at her son and found him staring at her bed. Or rather, what was on her bed.
“Mama, why are you packing?”
Liv swallowed, reached for a reassuring smile. Sure she failed. “For our trip home tomorrow.”
“We’re leaving?” Brodie stepped closer to Zeke and leaned into his side.
“Yes, sweetheart. You knew we would only be here for a few days.”
“But Miss Clara was going to take us to the creek so we can search for mussels and macro—macro. . . ” He glanced at Sadie for help.
The girl stepped forward and slipped her hand into his. “Macroinvertebrates.”
“We get to wear waders and turn over rocks and, and—please, Mama.”