“Doc might not have noticed the signs at a checkup if your grandfather didn’t complain of headaches and your grandmother didn’t report the difference in his behavior.” Her words wound through his chest in a gentle way. “If you’ve been carrying blame for that argument—”
“Don’t say it,” Hayden cut her off, filled with a hard sense of righteousness. He stared out toward the horizon and the rapidly setting sun, wishing he wasn’t back here. “Grandpa may have acted uncharacteristically, but I pushed his buttons until he suffered a heart attack. That was two months before our…my…non-wedding. And it was my fault.”
Evie pulled her hand away from his.
Immediately, he missed her touch.
“Hayden,” Evie said, as softly as a caress. “One thing I’ve learned in the medical profession is that the only person responsible for a heart attack is the person who has the heart attack.” And with that, she got to her feet. “Don’t carry blame you don’t deserve.”
How he wanted to believe her.
Before Hayden could think of what to say to make her stay, Katie burst onto the porch, banging into the screen door. “Look what Gran found under the back porch!” She held a small orange kitten in her arms. “Can I keep her, Mama?”
“I don’t know…” Evie glanced toward Hayden as if seeking permission.
Which annoyed him because he wasn’t her boss. They were supposed to be partners in this relationship. But, given their young audience, now wasn’t the time to hash that out. “We’ve always had barn cats.”
“I don’t want Poppy to sleep in the barn.” Katie sounded adamant. She nuzzled the kitten with her cheek. “She’s going to sleep with me.”
Hayden chuckled. “You have a lot to learn about ranch animals.”
“Such as?” Evie’s brow furrowed, her expression on its way to becoming a frown.
Which he didn’t like. Not one bit. He much preferred Evie’s smile. But to get it back was going to take some convincing. “First off, that kitten probably has fleas. And fleas can bite you. Second, kittens have a habit of playing at night when you want to sleep. Trust me, Katie. Out here, cats are better as outdoor beasties.”
“That sounds like a ranch rule.” Evie’s brow cleared. “I think we should listen to Hayden, bug.”
“Poppy isn’t a beastie.” Katie brought the kitten beneath her chin. “Hay-Hay, you’re no longer my favorite cowboy.”
“Ouch.” Hayden laid a hand over his heart. “I’m hurt.” But he was also grateful for the interruption. He shouldn’t be sharing his past with Evie. She dangled absolution as if he deserved it. He wasn’t sure he did.
“I found more kittens!” Gran called. “I’m giving them a bath in the mudroom.”
“And then, Poppy can sleep with me.” Katie scurried back inside. The screen door banged closed after her.
“I think Katie’s good for your grandmother,” Evie said quietly, still standing in front of the rocker she’d vacated.
“Katie is something.” Hayden tried to look mournful for this next bit. “But I’m disappointed. I thought Katie would always worship me as her favorite cowboy.”
“Kids are fickle.” Evie gave him a commiserating smile. “By the way, it’s dangerous to let a child pick up a fur baby unless you’re prepared to adopt it.”
“Another parenting rule?” How many rules could there be?
“Rules aren’t just for platonic marriages.” That brought out the glowing smile he was extremely fond of.
“I like rules.” Hayden liked her. More than he should have given their marriage bargain. And despite needing to straighten out the paperwork needed to sell livestock and pay off his grandfather’s tax debt, he much preferred talking to Evie. Hayden angled in his rocker to better study her. “Is it weird to admit that after my brothers and Gran, you were one of the things I missed most about leaving Bentwood Creek?”
“I guess.” Evie’s gaze slid away from his.
“Evie…” Hayden willed her to look at him again.
She did. Tentatively. Those big blue eyes couldn’t quite meet his. And her smile wavered. “You missed me?”
“I don’t know why. Back then, you were always making waves.” But she made the kind of ripples that had made him smile, like challenging the Spring Festival board with making the event more kid friendly. But now when he smiled at Evie, it was a different kind of trouble she brought to mind.
Their gazes locked…held…
This. This is something to hold on to.