Sneak Peek! Bailey and Carter’s Love Story…

Bailey’s sharp gaze met Carter’s. He didn’t know what that look was for. He’d somehow struck a nerve with his decision to purchase food. She glanced toward her daughter with a smile. “One second, sweetheart.” Then she moved to his side in two steps.

Before she could utter a single complaint, he cut her off. “Don’t even start,” his whispered words were firm and left no room for compromise. “I don’t need to hear that you don’t want my help. I don’t need a lecture about how to spend my money. And I don’t want you making a bigger deal out of this than it is.”

Her gaping mouth shut closed and her eyes narrowed as if she only needed a spark to completely explode.

Carter nodded to her daughter, hoping the kid would be enough to distract her from deciding to kick him out entirely. “Look, I know I shouldn’t have come last night. That’s on me. I definitely shouldn’t have hidden away in your shed, but that’s beside the point. I’m grateful you’re letting me stay, and I wanted to show you that I won’t be a burden. I can pitch in with the groceries and even give you some money for the utilities.”

She started to shake her head, but he stopped her again, praying that she wouldn’t get offended by what he had to say next.

“The fridge was practically empty. The cupboards, too. And this place could use some extra heat.” His eyes drilled into hers meaningfully. “I know you can probably use the help even if you don’t want to admit it.” And if she was willing to let him stay more than a couple of days, he’d be able to keep her safe from the idiot he’d scuffled with on Saturday.

Bailey pressed her lips into a firm line and glanced toward her daughter, who was picking through the apples. He could see several emotions flicker across Bailey’s face as she considered what he was offering her. This was his chance to make a difference—his chance to make up for all the wrong he’d put out into the world. There were going to be a lot of things for him to figure out, but he had to start somewhere.

Her resigned sigh was the only indication that she’d made a decision. Then her eyes darted to meet his, full of fire and warning. “I will not have a drunk or a criminal in my home.”

Bailey’s words stung him more than he cared to admit. All he could do was nod.

“That means no more getting booked into county. If you’re going to be here, under my roof with my daughter, you’re going to be the perfect gentleman.”

Another nod. Her fierce protection of her daughter only added to the ache of guilt he had for how he’d treated his family.

“Okay,” she said.

“Okay,” he repeated.

She turned, and as if all she needed to do was flick a switch, she was all smiles. “Did you find a good one, sweetie?”

Anya held up a brightly colored apple with a stem. “This one. It’s perfect.” She ducked around her mother and glanced at Carter. “Do you like peanut butter on your apples, too?”

A smile tugged at his lips. “They’re my favorite.”

Once breakfast was done, they all sat at the table eating the fruit and pancakes he’d purchased. He remained quiet, observing the dynamic between Bailey and Anya. Sundays seemed to be Anya’s favorite because she went to Sunday school, and her mother didn’t have to work.

At that statement, Bailey glanced at Carter, then away.

Anya gasped so suddenly that Bailey jumped and turned wide eyes to her, but Anya was staring at Carter.

He reached up to see if something was on his face, but he didn’t feel anything immediately.

“Mom! Can Carter come to the Christmas concert?”

Carter stiffened, already feeling like the room cooled a couple degrees. He’d already intruded into this family’s life too much.

“Oh, I’m sure Carter has better things to do—”

“Will you come, Carter?” Anya asked, eyes pleading. “It’s at my school, and it’s the week before Christmas. Since you’re going to be here for a while, you could come and watch.”

Even if Carter wanted to turn the kid down, he knew there was zero chance he could. The girl was an angel, and those eyes—she could have asked him to buy her a pony for Christmas, and he would have figured out a way to do it. He found himself nodding without realizing it.

Anya squealed her delight and hopped down from her seat. “I’m going to go practice some more.”

When they were left alone, Bailey glanced toward Carter, her expression somewhat emotional. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Who could say no to her? Did you even see her eyes?”

Bailey let out a soft laugh, then turned her appreciative smile toward him. “This is the first year she gets to perform. She’s been talking about it nonstop.” The way she said it made him wonder if this was a sore subject. Her late husband, perhaps? “She seems to like you,” Bailey murmured, but it sounded like she was saying it more to herself than to him.

“Yeah… well… hopefully she’ll develop better taste in people.”

Bailey’s head snapped up and the smile she wore fell away. He could see the question in her eyes—the questions she refused to ask him. And he wasn’t about to give her the information that would only make her hate him more.

OR