AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Which parts?” she asked.
“All of last night.”
“What about the rest?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “You said you were trying not to like me.”
“Because if things go bad between us, it doesn’t affect just one aspect of my life. If I get involved with a woman, it’s not only me I have to think about. It’s Jace.”
Merry’s eyebrows snapped down. “I adore your son and he likes me.” She said it firmly, almost defensively.
“I know he does and that is the scary part. This place, your parents…I have never seen Jace so happy. He loves it on this farm. You’re connected to my work. Where I live. If you were someone across town who I could avoid if things didn’t work out, it would be one thing, but if I start something with you, I could lose everything. I don’t want to be responsible for taking away my son’s joy.”
Her expression softened. “I would never let that happen. No matter what, I know how much you love him. It’s one of the first things I noticed when you came back, what an amazing dad you are. No matter how I felt about you, I would never let that affect your position here.”
“I know that. Now.”
“Well, you should have known it last week, too.”
Clark fought a smile at her sass and continued sincerely, “I know I should have. It’s difficult for me to trust people, but that’s my insecurity, not yours.”
“Damn right it is,” she said, bending over to pick up her disobedient puppy. “Last night, I thought you were a dense, inconsiderate, judgmental douche canoe.”
Clark put a hand out against the house, stopping her from walking away. She turned with exasperation tightening the space between her eyes, Daisy cuddled in her arms mirroring her expression.
“What do you think now, Merry? Is there anything you see worth forgiving?”
Merry leaned against the house, her expression undecipherable. “Today, I see a contrite douche canoe.”
“I am. I may be the biggest douche canoe you have ever met, but I don’t want to be one.” He noticed the twitch of her full lips, even though she wasn’t meeting his gaze, and he pressed on. “I am an idiot, Merry, especially where you’re concerned. With the exception of your mom, you are the kindest person I have ever met. You surprise me, you make me laugh. Being around you lifts a weight inside me I didn’t know was there. I loathe myself for hurting you. I would have told you all this again last night, but you had company.”
She met his gaze then, narrowing her eyes. “What was that?”
“What?”
“That tone.”
“What,” he asked innocently. “I just said you had company.”
“Yeah, but you said it like, ewww, company…like you were sneering at it.”
He scoffed. “I did not. I just didn’t want to disturb you when you had a guy over.”
“Ah-ha!” Merry cheered, pointing a finger into his chest while keeping an arm around her squirming dog. “How did you know it was a guy?”
Clark cocked his head. “The big truck?”
“Women drive big trucks too.”
“Sam mentioned it.”
“Liar.” She laughed, bending over and letting Daisy wiggle back down to the ground. “I thought I saw you on the porch this morning, but I was sure I was imagining things. Because why would someone who was so obviously not interested in me be on the porch, spying?”
“I wasn’t spying. I happened to be on the porch enjoying my coffee when you walked outside.”
“And you hid?”
“I mean…I didn’t want you to think what you already do, so I may have moved out of sight.”
“Uh-huh.”
