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Before he even looked up, he knew who had walked into the room. The last of his daughters to find a mate, the one who he’d thought he might not survive. “Good morning, Brielle. Now what reason would you have to be here this early in the morning?” He lifted his gaze to his daughter, who stood in the doorway.
She crossed her arms and her coy smile remained on her face. “It’s just you and me now. So you can tell me who this woman is that you like so much.”
“There’s no one.” Zeke sighed.
“You can’t keep telling me that. I know there’s someone because I’m the only one who set you up with someone, and she said you haven’t called her. How do you think that makes me look?” Her voice was light, making it clear that she wasn’t really upset that he hadn’t called Charlotte. But he could tell, based on the look that filled her face, that she didn’t like being left in the dark. She wanted details.
Zeke got to his feet, his coffee unfinished and now cold. “There was someone. Now there isn’t. So there’s nothing to tell. Charlotte isn’t my type, and perhaps neither is this other woman. As far as I can tell, I’m not meant to find anyone to live the rest of my life with.”
He didn’t want to meet her gaze. If he had it his way, he would have slipped out of the kitchen and headed out to the barn so he could occupy his thoughts with other things. Except that was not what fate had in mind for him.
Brielle blocked his path. This time the smug expression was missing. She actually looked upset. Her brows were creased and turned upward in the middle. If he wasn’t mistaken, she looked like she was about to cry.
But that wasn’t Brielle’s way. She reached out and touched his forearm. “What happened?”
Zeke shrugged. “Nothing. That’s what I’m saying. It was short. It didn’t mean anything. It’s over, and that’s that.”
“Based on what you just said, I can tell this is hurting you more than you’d like to admit.”
He sighed. “Look, sweetie. I can appreciate that you’re worried about me. I can even understand the part of you that wants to toy with me a little bit and set me up on dates.”
“Dad, that’s not what—”
“It’s fine. It’s nothing less than I deserve.”
“But Dad—”
Zeke held up a hand and waved her off. “Don’t you worry about it. I’ll be fine. I’ve been alone this long. It’s nothing I can’t handle.” He forced a smile. “Besides. My family has already doubled, right? I don’t need anyone else to make my life fulfilling.” He pulled her in for a hug and then stepped around her.
Brielle’s voice could be heard calling out to him, but he ignored it. He’d made his decision, and when that happened, he didn’t go back on it. His gut instincts were usually right on the money.
When it came to Agatha, they were both better off without each other. She was probably already feeling better about her situation. She had her house back—well, for the most part—and she didn’t have him butting into her life in ways that she couldn’t stand.
That was probably the best thing he could do for her—the best housewarming gift there was.
Zeke headed out to the barn, going through the motions of what used to be his day-to-day. By the time the horse was saddled and he was heading out of the barn, he couldn’t remember doing any of it. His brain was in such a fog.
His thoughts continued going to the same place.
What was Agatha doing today? They didn’t have any house renovations planned since they were waiting on a delivery. He almost wanted to head over there and take a look at the work they’d completed just for an excuse to see her. But the need to rush to complete the project was nonexistent now.
Zeke shook his head. He needed to remain strong. No weakness.
At least by now, Agatha had probably figured things out with her son. Zeke could count that as one of his good deeds. Their strained relationship would be fixed, and he wouldn’t have to feel so torn up over the secret he kept.
He led his horse along a trail, finding himself heading in the direction of his cabin.
No, not his cabin.
Toward the neighbor’s property.
Immediately, he pulled up on the reins and stopped. What was wrong with him that he couldn’t even keep the promise he’d made to himself? He glared at the trail that would take him to the place where he both wanted and didn’t want to go. His heart and his head battled against one another. What would be so bad about visiting her?
She’d probably yell at him and tell him to leave her property.
Or she’d get upset that he’d kept such a secret from her. Admittedly, he should have told her the second he knew why Thomas was lying about his overtime. At least then, one issue would have been resolved by now.
But what if she admitted she was wrong and she wanted him in her life? The glimmer of hope that lit in his chest just wasn’t enough to make him follow that path. He yanked on the reins and turned around but then nearly had a heart attack. Thomas stood beside a horse, holding its reins and staring up at him.
