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Only, I felt what he wanted in that kiss. I felt it on my stomach, and I felt it in the strength of his arms around me. He tried to downplay it. He tried to push me away, and he almost had me convinced.
He told me to trust him, but he’s going to trust me, too. We’ve both carried burdens and survived loss. He holds his pain close like a secret, but my job is to relieve pain. He’s been doing everything to help me, but now it’s my turn to help him.
I know how to survive, and I’m ready to play.
13
Zane
Allie
Rachel thinks your idea is great, and so does Mrs. L. Drop Eddie off at school, and I’ll meet you outside.
Nodding, I tap back a quickokayas Edward and I walk to the Jeep. He’s brushing, grooming, saddling, and riding Shiloh all by himself now, and he looks like a real pro doing it.
“Gloria said Shiloh is eighteen,” I tell him as we pull onto the highway headed north.
I put the doors on the Jeep again when I realized his hood was so tight over his ears because of the wind. I felt kind-of like an asshole when Gloria pointed it out to me. I’ve worked around kids like him long enough to know they’re more sensitive to their surroundings.
It’s different, quieter than I’m used to it being, but he’s more relaxed in the passenger’s seat.
“She also likes that you care so much about him.”
“Did you ask her aboutinbreeding?”
“I mentioned it.” Reaching out, I flick on the radio to Logan’s station. At the moment, it’s playing classic country music. “She doesn’t know for sure, but she thinks he came from a reputable breeder.”
He nods, glancing out the window at the passing trees. “He should have at least ten more years then.”
“How would you feel about helping Allie at the library today?”
“At school?” His brow furrows, and he turns to me again.
“Yeah, all the kids have to return the books they’ve checked out before Christmas break starts. She could really use an extra pair of hands.”
“I don’t know the Dewey Decimal System.”
This kid.“I bet she can show you what to do. I told her you’re a fast learner.”
He looks ahead a few seconds longer, then he nods. “I can help her.”
“Great. I’ll just run you by on the way. She’ll bring you to the restaurant when y’all are done this evening.”
His eyes shoot to mine. “What about Rachel?”
“She doesn’t mind. Allie’s a friend of ours.”
Another few seconds of thinking, and he relents. “You’ll make sure the kittens are okay?”
“Yep.” I nod. “I’ll make sure they have enough water and food.”
“Let Miss Gina know where I am.”
“I’ll take care of everything.” I turn into the school entrance, and Allie waves from where she’s waiting near the office. “Have a fun day. Get to know the place.”
His brow furrows as we approach, but he puts his hand on the door. I reach over and give his shoulder a brief pat. “You got this.”
Allie greets him with a warm welcome, and my muscles tense as he gets out. I sit in the Jeep, watching as she leads him along the covered walkway and to the building. His hands arein his jeans pockets and his eyes are on his feet as he follows her, shoulders slumped.
