Pining For You (Jasper Falls 4)

“Just because I don’t say certain words, doesn’t mean I don’t feel something for those I care about. I love my daughter.”

Why did that word feel so unsafe to say? He despised the sense of vulnerability and fear it stirred.

Her mouth formed a weak smile. “You should tell her that.”

“Isn’t it more important that I show her?” He showed Addy affection every day by taking care of her and taking interest in her. “Why does everyone always want so much more than I can give?” So much more than I was ever given? “I’m doing my best.”

“Do you love me?”

Her question shot through him like cannon fire, leaving an aching void too wide to close. Pain slipped from the hole left by her words, exposing all the empty secrets he hid. How could he measure something he’d never felt before?

“I…”

Her head lowered and twin tears rushed down her cheeks.

“Damn it, Skylar, why do we have to label it? Why can’t we just be happy with what it is?”

Did she love him? Why did he have to say it first? What if he loved her and then she lost interest in him? How would he survive that?

She lifted her head, and blinked away anymore tears. “I’ll go get Addison.”

He grit his teeth. “I thought you said she could stay.”

“I think it might be better, now, if you take her home. Tomorrow’s the day before Christmas Eve. I’m sure you two have things to do.”

She disappeared into the house and returned a few minutes later with Addison bundled in her arms. He climbed the steps and collected his daughter, her weight in his arms an instant comfort to his soul.

He carried her to the car and Skylar followed but kept her distance. His daughter only slightly stirred when he buckled her inside, but then quickly fell back to sleep.

He started the car with a click of a button and faced Skylar. “When will I see you again? What do I tell her?”

“Tell her I love her.”

What about me, he wanted to shout. When would he finally hear those words from someone who mattered?

He caught her hand and brought her fingers to his lips. “You’re freezing.”

He shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, pulling the lapels together as he looked into her eyes. Sure enough, tracks of tears showed on her skin. He couldn’t help himself. He hugged her.

Her arms bunched between them, providing a modicum of distance, but he held her tight anyway. Was this ache in his chest love? How could something so sought-after hurt so much?

“I’ll fix this. I’ll show you.” He kissed her head and stepped back, afraid to let her go. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Please answer the phone.”

She nodded and he released her, stepping to the driver’s side door.

“Rhett?”

Hope rose in his chest and he pivoted. “Yes?”

“Don’t let Erin watch Addison anymore. Call me if you need someone to sit with her.”

He had questions but lacked the strength. His mind wasn’t on work so he didn’t waste much thought on her request. But he did realize this meant she still intended to see Addy, which meant she’d also see him.

He trusted her without needing to hear her reasons. “Okay.”

She pulled off his coat and placed it on the passenger seat, quietly shutting the door. “Drive safely.”

22

“Skylar, move your culi! This order’s gettin’ cold and we’ve got three more in the hopper!”

Despite how sweaty she was from working in the kitchen, she put her wool hat on her head and bundled back up for another delivery.

It was the day before Christmas Eve, which meant the takeout orders were running nonstop, on top of the catering orders they still had to prepare for tomorrow’s customers. Half the dining room was covered with trays of manicotti while the other half was draped with homemade pasta airing out to dry.

Thanks to her family, families all over Jasper Falls could have a nice home-cooked meal from someone else’s kitchen on Christmas Eve.

“Skylar!”

“I’m going!” She took the box and plucked the receipt off the front, holding it between her teeth as she used her butt to push open the front door of the restaurant.

The blustery cold cut right through her coat. This was how people got sick. She was sweating and freezing at the same time. Luckily, her grandfather had somehow managed a permanent parking spot for deliveries, so she didn’t have far to trek by foot.

She punched the address into her GPS only to recognize it at the last second. Rolling her eyes, she headed toward her cousin, Ryan’s, house.

She appreciated when her family ordered from the restaurant, especially around the holidays, because they always tipped generously. However, the deliveries took twice as long because relatives always wanted updates on any family gossip. Being that she was the recent gossip, she didn’t have much to say.