Leah wasn’t sure she was up to socializing yet, but then she told herself she needed to be. The quicker she resumed normal activities, the sooner she could truly get her life back and not think about what had happened all the time.
“Sounds great.” Yeah, so great her stomach chose that moment to start spinning in circles.
When she hung up, she spotted Tyler striding from the house to the barn. He glanced her way and after a moment’s hesitation, he lifted his hand for a single wave.
She waved back, her stomach tumbling in a very different way. How was it possible for her to feel flutters of physical attraction so soon after her attack? That question sent awful chills racing over her skin, stinging her everywhere Garton’s hands had touched her flesh.
Her peaceful afternoon shaken, she gathered up her supplies and carried them back inside. When her phone rang again, she startled and nearly dumped everything in her arms. Just the thought of hearing beads fall against the floor and spread out in all directions made nausea rise up within her.
Thinking it was her aunt again, she eased the plastic containers onto the table then pulled the phone from her shorts pocket. Instead of Charlotte, the name on the display belonged to her best friend, Reina.
Anxious to hear her friend’s voice, she quickly answered before the call could go to voice mail. “Hey, there. How’s the mom-to-be?”
“Fat and craving things that shouldn’t be fit for human consumption.”
Leah smiled. “You know you’re beautiful.”
Reina snorted. “That’s a lie but I’ll take it. But the real question is how are you? How’s life in the boonies?”
“I didn’t move to the Australian Outback, you know.”
“Close.”
Leah laughed a little, and it felt foreign and welcome at the same time. “I’m completely unpacked.”
“Good, but that’s not what I mean. Do you still believe it was the right decision?” Reina might tease her about her choice of new home, but she was the one person who’d supported her decision with no questions asked. She also hadn’t pressed for details about the attack, knowing that Leah wasn’t at a place where she could share that yet.
“It will take some getting used to, but I think so, yes.”
“That’s good. Maybe I’ll challenge my GPS to actually find where you live once this beach ball I’m carrying decides to make an appearance.”
That would mean she wouldn’t see her best friend for at least another five months. “I look forward to it. Now, tell me, have you chosen a name yet?”
“Taylor and Caleb.”
“Well, at least you’ve narrowed it down from the grocery list of names you had the last time I talked to you.”
“No, that’s the final names. Seems I’m having twins.”
“Twins?” Leah nearly squealed. “How are you just now finding this out?”
“One of the little boogers has been hiding. If I figure out which one, he’s grounded as soon as he’s born.”
Leah laughed again, and it filled more of her this time, reminding her of how much she’d laughed with Reina over the years.
After they talked about the babies some more and how Reina’s husband, Jacob, was working more hours in order to save up for buying twice the amount of baby supplies than they’d expected, Reina shifted the topic of conversation back to Leah.
“So, tell me about your place.”
“It used to be the bunkhouse on a ranch. Tyler said his father and grandfather used to have a bigger operation and their extra hands lived here.”
“Tyler’s your landlord?”
“Yeah.”
“Good guy?”
“Conner says so. I’ve honestly not had much contact with him. He has a little girl, but I’ve not talked to her at all. Cute little thing, though.”
“So this Tyler isn’t some old coot wearing overalls?”
“Hardly.”
The line was silent for a long moment before Reina said, “Oh?”
Leah heard the caution in her friend’s voice but also the curiosity. The way she’d responded to Reina’s question echoed in her head, revealing more than she’d intended, more than she’d truly realized. Despite what had happened to her and how nervous she’d been around men ever since, especially someone the size of Tyler, she couldn’t deny that she found him attractive. But that didn’t mean she had to go into details with her friend. More than likely, her reaction to Tyler was just a reminder that she could still be attracted to a man. Now if she could just stop being so riddled with fear around them. She had to find the appropriate level of caution that lay somewhere between fear of all men and unconcerned, but right now it felt like finding that place was as likely as her scaling Everest.
“Just because it’s a small town doesn’t mean everyone here is a yokel.”
“I know. I just thought... Never mind. I’m glad you like it. I really do look forward to visiting you there.”
“Well, for now I think you just need to take care of yourself and those babies.” Leah shook her head. “Wow, two. That’s kind of wild.”
“Tell me about it. Though it does explain why I’m the size of a football stadium.”
They talked for a few more minutes before Reina said she had to go. Leah hated to end the call but understood. She’d just tapped the end button when knocking at the door caused her to yelp and fumble her phone so much she dropped it. She picked it up then crept toward the window, her heart beating so hard she felt the pulse against her eardrums, and looked out.
Tyler stood outside with another man. When she looked closer, she realized the second man wore a uniform. Then she remembered about the internet installation. Trying to slow her heartbeat, she crossed to the door and opened it.
She managed to meet Tyler’s eyes, his lovely blue eyes, and her breath caught. Then he took a step closer and the fear that was her constant companion shot up like a puck in a strong-man game at a fair. She gripped the edge of the door, ready to slam it in their faces.
But Tyler stopped moving, and his eyes narrowed a fraction as if he’d noticed her reaction and wondered at its cause. Her concern shifted directions, now causing her to worry that she’d offended the man who provided a roof over her head and a place to start over.
He gestured over his shoulder with his thumb. “Cameron is here to hook up your internet service.”
Leah mustered a smile and forced her fingers to relax on the door, though she didn’t release it entirely. “It’s nice to meet you. Please come in.” She hoped she sounded hospitable even if she felt as if she might pass out from the overload of fear coursing through her.
Cameron came inside and asked her questions about what she’d be using the service for and told her something about download speeds. They made sense in the moment he said the words but disappeared in the next. She’d thought Tyler would leave once he’d introduced Cameron, but he didn’t. Instead, he stood in the corner next to the front door, not saying anything but just...being.
Nerves of a different sort started dancing inside her. She honestly wasn’t sure if she was glad he’d stayed or not. On the one hand, his presence seemed reassuring, able to easily protect her should the need arise. The height and breadth of the man were truly impressive, and a flicker of attraction tried to assert itself inside her. Honestly, it did more than try. Tyler Lowe was an attractive man. Really attractive. But he also made her feel so incredibly small and breakable.
But