You never knew how my mother would react to anything, and it was possible she’d already heard the town gossip of Calder and me being out and about together. I didn’t have it in me for another knock-down, drag-out fight with her. I was too tired.
Hayes had promised not to say a word to my parents about the stalker upon penalty of dismemberment. But taking that pressure off me didn’t clear the slate. I still looked over my shoulder constantly. For Jackie, for some anonymous asshole who used a keyboard for a weapon, for someone who would gut an animal and leave it for me to find. I couldn’t take my mother harping on me on top of it.
Calder wove his fingers through mine. “Just take it one step at a time. I’ve got your back.”
I stared over at Calder, the angles of his face so familiar and yet different now, too. Different because he was mine for the first time. Three little words teased the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them back. It was way too soon. Yet, it wasn’t. Because I’d known Calder all my life. Loved him nearly all that time. Instead, I settled for two words. They weren’t enough, but they were something. “Thank you.”
He squeezed my hand. “Always.”
Calder pulled into an empty space in front of the house. The girls immediately jumped out of the SUV and ran towards Shiloh, who was over by the barn.
Their speed had a smile teasing my lips. “Think they’re excited about the new colt?”
Shy’s new baby had arrived two days ago, and Birdie and Sage had been talking about little else. It would be special for them to see how Shiloh trained and cared for the little guy.
Calder turned in his seat, sliding a hand along my jaw. “You’re amazing. Don’t let anything she says make you think otherwise.”
He knew me too well. That even though I was talking about something else, my mind was still bracing for what was to come. “I hate that family dinners feel like prepping for battle.”
Calder pulled me against his chest. “I hate that, too.”
“What if we just stay out here all night?”
He chuckled. “Somehow, I don’t think that will solve the problem.”
I didn’t either. Someone would eventually come looking. I pushed off his chest. “Might as well get it over with.”
We climbed out of the SUV, and Calder came around, taking my hand.
“Are you sure? Maybe it’s better if she hears from one of her friends that we’re dating.”
Calder’s lips twitched. “That would make her furious. That there was something about her daughter she didn’t hear firsthand.”
“Dammit, why do you always have a point?”
“Because I’m incredibly smart, not to mention ruggedly handsome.”
I scoffed. “No ego problems here.”
He pulled me in closer. “Not when I’ve won you over.”
“I wouldn’t say you won me over. I might still be making up my mind.”
Calder skimmed his lips over the column of my neck. “Totally won you over.”
A pleasant shiver ran over my skin, proving his point. “Show-off.”
We climbed the steps to the porch, and Calder opened the front door without knocking, keeping hold of my hand. Everly and Hayes were on stools at the kitchen island, seated next to my mom, while Dad worked on something at the counter.
“Hey, guys,” Hayes greeted.
Everly immediately slipped off her stool and hurried over to me, letting out a little squeal and pulling me into a hug. “So happy for you two.”
“Thanks,” I said softly, releasing her. As I stepped back, Calder took my hand again.
I looked past Everly to my mom. She’d turned on her stool, and her gaze zeroed in on Calder’s and my joined hands. Her mouth opened and closed and then reopened. “No, you’re not…”
Calder hurried to fill the awkward silence. “Hadley and I are seeing each other.”