chill of the evening. The last light from the sunset was fading, a golden orange in the sky. Gabe didn’t have a coat, not that she cared.
“If you have something to say—”
“I don’t,” she said, her words coming out clipped. They crossed the grounds of the resort and headed straight for Jonas’s front door. Rachel raised a hand and knocked on the thick wood. “Your brother does.”
“I came to talk to you, not—” The door opened, and Jonas stood there. “Not Jonas,” Gabe finished.
“What’s happening?” Jonas looked from Rachel to Gabe.
Scott came running from the living room, his feet quick on the floor. “Hi,” he chirped, and then he was gone again, his footsteps receding back to the living room.
“Your brother is a jerk,” Rachel burst out. “He came to my room to interrogate me about my personal finances. He’s questioned my honor. And then I think he tried to threaten me by saying he might tell you about my finances. This is your problem. He’s not my family, and he’s not my brother, thank goodness.” She turned to leave, and Jonas caught her by the elbow. Their eyes locked, the touch moving through her like a song, and her anger cooled—but only a few degrees.
“Wait,” Jonas asked, holding his free hand up. “Wait.” He gave her elbow an affectionate squeeze and released her. Jonas’s gaze snapped to his brother. “What were you thinking?”
“I was worried for you,” Gabe countered, heat rising in his voice. “I didn’t want you to get tricked by someone out to—”
“Out to what?” Jonas looked horrified. “Get money from me? It doesn’t matter. We have plenty of money. More than enough money for everything. And you thought you were going to pressure Rachel into what, exactly? Leaving? You should never have done that, Gabe. You are way out of line.”
Some of the tension left Rachel’s shoulders. Jonas was on her team and not against her.
His eyes met hers, and when he spoke again, his voice was soft, but determined. “I care about you.” The words sent a shudder of relief through her. He turned back to his brother. “I genuinely care about her. And I’m trying to see if we can make this work.”
Gabe sighed, looking down at his shoes.
“Go home, Gabe. This is between Rachel and me.”
Gabe held up both hands, turned on his heel, and left without a word.
Jonas pulled Rachel into the house, shutting the door behind them. They returned to the living room to check on Scott, who was playing with the stuffed elk on the rug.
Rachel ran a hand through her hair. She had never been so hopeful and so terrified by his declaration. “You want us to work out?” she asked.
“I don’t want to pressure you, but I have to be clear—I want you and Scott in my life. I’m sorry that I missed so much of his life already.”
“I’m sorry you did, too.” Hope displaced fear. Maybe there was something to this—that she could stay. And just maybe, they could build a life together.
“And no matter what my brother said—” Jonas shook his head, brows knitting. “I don’t care about your finances. If you’re having trouble, then what does it matter to me? I want to provide for all of Scott’s needs.” He looked over at their son again, face softening. “I want him to have the best schooling, the best housing, the best of everything. And I can give that to him.” Jonas met her eyes again. “Of course, I want to give that to you, too.”
Oh, no. The best, the best, the best. It reminded her of her mother. It reminded her of Daniel. They’d both wanted the best in life, and Rachel hadn’t been the best. She’d never even come close to measuring up. It hit her like a cymbal crash, loud and startling and still somehow familiar. It was a short distance from I love you to I’ll handle everything, because you can’t handle it yourself.
No. Everything in her recoiled from that message. Rachel didn’t want to be cosseted or controlled. She’d made it with her son this far, and she could keep doing it for the rest of her life if necessary. An ache in her throat forced her to swallow, and she straightened her back. If there was really no pressure in his offer, then he would accept it if she left.
“Thank you for that,” she said, as gently as she could. Except the steel in her voice didn’t send the same