I swallow hard and nod, even though the truth is messier than a simple yes. "I'll be fine. Thank you for... for last night. For this morning. For the ride."
His mouth curves just a little, like he knows I'm stumbling over words on purpose. "Anytime, Sunshine."
He studies me for another beat, then shifts the truck into park. Before I can reach for the handle, he's already out, boots crunching against the gravel. My breath catches as he rounds the hood and comes to my side.
He opens the door with a quiet click and holds out his hand. "Come on, Sunshine."
The morning light cuts across his shoulders, and for one suspended second, I can't make myself move. I know I should just step down, pretend this is nothing. But when I put my hand in his, the strength of his grip anchors me in a way I didn't realize I needed.
My boots hit the dirt, and I'm standing closer to him than I should be. He doesn't let go right away. His thumb brushes once against my knuckles, rough and careful, before he finally releases me.
"Go on," he murmurs, low enough that only I can hear. "I'll watch until you're inside."
Emma's laugh carries from the barn, bright and unbothered. I glance back once, just once, and he's still there behind the wheel. Hat low, eyes on me, like he's making sure I don't fall even now.
I find Emma in the barn with North, her tiny hands helping scoop feed into a bucket. She looks up when she sees me and waves so hard she nearly spills everything. "Mama! Look, I'm helping!"
"I see that," I say, pride and fear warring in my chest. She looks so at home here, it almost hurts.
When she's rinsing her hands at the pump, I crouch beside her. "Did you have fun last night with Candy?"
She nods, serious. "We painted our nails and ate popcorn, and Candy let me stay up until ten."
"That's very late," I say, smoothing her hair back.
She giggles. "I'm not even tired."
"Okay, well, I'm going to go inside and talk to Candy. You want to stay here and help North a bit more?" I ask, glancing over Emma's head. I see North nod, knowing I need to talk to her, so he will keep Emma busy.
"Yes!" Emma says, bouncing off toward North.
Inside, Candy meets me at the door with a knowing look before I even open my mouth. "Alright, spill it. You've got that look."
I blink at her. "What look?"
"The one that says you didn't get much sleep, but you're not mad about it." Her grin is sly.
My face heats instantly. I press my palms to my cheeks and shake my head. "Candy..."
"Don't Candy me. Tell me."
The words come out before I can stop them. "I stayed with him last night."
Her eyebrows shoot up, but her voice stays gentle. "And?"
"And it wasn't just one night," I whisper. "At least not for me. I keep telling myself it should be simple, but it's not. I woke up next to him, and I feel—God, Candy, I feel like I've finally stopped running. And then the guilt slams in, because Emma deserves stability, and here I am sneaking around like a teenager."
Candy pushes off the counter and comes closer, laying a steadying hand on my arm. "You think Emma didn't see the way he caught her at the rodeo? The way he watched her like she was already his to protect? That girl of yours isn't blind, Kassi. She knows."
My throat tightens. "But my job—if anyone at the company finds out, if word gets back to the wrong person, I could lose everything. And then what? How do I put food on the table if I walk away?"
"That's what you're afraid of?" she asks softly. "Not Asher. Not Emma. Just the paycheck."
I nod, blinking hard. "It's all I know. It's the only way I've managed so far."
Candy squeezes my arm, firm enough that it sinks in. "It doesn't have to be the only way. My assistant at the library left to take care of her parents. The position's open. You're more than qualified. It comes with the cabin behind the library, utilities included. It's a pay cut, yeah. But it's safe. It's honest. And it's yours if you want it."
I stare at her, stunned. "Candy..."