Page 59 of Fierce-Baker

“She’s a single mother. A teacher. She’s working here for the summer at the front checking people in for tours.”

“Hmmm.”

“What does that mean?”

“Is this one of those things that happen there?” Brittany asked, lots of humor in her voice.

“What things?”

“With the owners. Or Mason’s parents. Is someone setting you up?”

Maybe he shouldn’t have shared that one day, but he found humor in it. Then knew his sister would laugh when it was being turned on him and how he felt about it.

Yet here he was, falling for it... maybe.

“Sort of. I noticed her first. Didn’t know much about her. It’s not as if I could ask and draw more attention to it.”

“But someone noticed?”

“Jolene knows her. Guess Tasha is best friends with her nephew’s wife. That’s how she got the summer job. She knew what Jolene did also but didn’t think she’d be part of it.”

“But she is part of it?”

“Yes.” He filled his sister in on what was happening or how that came about. Even that Gavin admitted Tasha was picked out.

“I can’t believe you fell for it.”

“It wasn’t like I was trying to, but I’m not going to be rude to her either just because I don’t want to be part of their game.”

“Is it a game? That’s not like you,” Brittany said.

“No. It’s not. But things are complicated.”

“Because she has a child? What is that situation? Like drama with the baby daddy or something?”

“No drama because he’s not in her life. She hasn’t said a word about it and isn’t. Which is odd, but it’s not like I volunteered about Alexa either. She made a comment early on about having trust issues.”

“The same as you but maybe not for the same reasons.”

“It’s not. Hers was cheating, but I didn’t elaborate. I made a comment about Mom and Dad and a few days ago I told her about it. I guess I wanted to give her something to see if she’d do the same. We are getting closer but keeping it quiet.”

“Did she tell you more?”

“No.”

“So that is where you’re struggling. You were blindsided before and if you don’t have information you’re going to fear it again, right?”

He knew his sister would understand. “I don’t want to tell her that though. You know me. I’m not into putting pressure on anyone or anything. Not anymore.”

“Have you met her child? Boy, girl, age?”

“Micah and he’s fourteen months. I met him the day I found out she lived close by as she was walking him. I go over when he’s in bed.”

“Sounds like sneaking to me. Are you sure there isn’t more going on with her?”

His lips flapped as he exhaled. “There isn’t. It has to do with her son. I’m honoring that. People I work with know her. She’s single and has been since after Micah was born.”

Maybe even before. He just didn’t know those facts.