No, he wouldn’t stand for that.
“Actually, I think I’ll stay put.”
Mel’s face hardened, if that was possible, but in that hard, determined expression he saw exactly what he’d seen that night in the kitchen where she’d said his care was nice. Where she’d finally admitted she was afraid.
Where he had to skate away from his fear of dependence and feelings to deal, Mel had had to push through. She’d had to bury it all, and in doing that, she’d turned strength and determination into its own kind of escape.
He wouldn’t fall for it anymore. He wouldn’t leave unless he knew it was what she truly wanted, not just what she thought she had to want.
“Dan.”
“If it helps, we’re more than colleagues,” he said to Summer.
“Dan.” She grasped his arm, not kindly. It actually kind of hurt, not that he’d ever admit it. She steered him a few paces away from a confused Summer, a mutinous Caleb.
“Go.”
“No.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because you need someone here who has your back. Even if this didn’t involve your brother or father, I know it wouldn’t be them. So it’s going to be me.”
She released him, pressing fingers to her eyes. “Please, don’t…I can’t…figure this out while I’m trying to figure you out.”
“Look, fuck the colleague bullshit, we can deal with that later. I’m not asking you to figure me out. I’m standing behind you. Period.”
“I don’t…” Her hands dropped, clenched and unclenched. She looked at him, trying so desperately, he was sure, to hide the fear swirling in her eyes. She failed. “I don’t know what to do with that,” she said through gritted teeth, dropping her gaze to the ground.
“We can figure it out, honey. I’m not going anywhere.” Not any damn where until he knew she would be okay. Hell, maybe not even then.
Chapter 22
I’m not going anywhere.
Mel supposed it was meant to be comforting and supportive. It felt like a threat, however, him being there, seeing this, seeing her all…vulnerable.
Hadn’t they had enough of this? Of him being there? What was she supposed to do with all this support? How was she supposed to focus on what needed to be focused on when someone was supporting her?
That weakened everything. Swept away all the strength and conviction and left only shaky, untrustworthy emotion.
Damn.
So she had to ignore it. Had to push him and his steadfast support somewhere else and focus. She turned back to the woman. God, she was barely a woman. She looked like a girl. She looked like her as a girl, if she’d ever deigned to play dress up.
She had no idea what to do with this woman. She still wasn’t convinced she was Dad’s, especially since it was so obvious she was Mom’s. Mom could have sent her here. Mom could have…
Dan’s hand pressed against the small of her back. Part of her wanted to shake it off, but in this moment, there was a bigger part that wanted to use that as something to hold her up, to keep her going forward. Someone else’s warm hand and strong muscle to lean against while she did what she had to do.
“I’m a surprise. I get that,” Summer said, looking at her caravan. “Believe me. But…I just wanted to find my family and see…”
“See what?” Mel asked in unison with Caleb, almost feeling sorry for the girl when she flinched.
“I don’t know how to explain it. I only wanted to get away. I know you don’t owe me anything. I’m not looking for anything.” Again she looked at her bizarre vehicle. “Maybe a place to park for a few days, if you’re going to send me away. And I’d like to meet…him, first.”
“Where’s our mother?” She didn’t even want to know the answer to the question, but it felt necessary to ask.
Summer’s expression was all conflicted pain, and Mel had to look away. This girl needed help and Mel didn’t have it in her to help anyone else. Especially a twenty-one-year-old girl searching for some fairy-tale family.
They certainly weren’t it.
“As far as I know, she’s in California. She doesn’t know I’m here. We left on…not great terms.”
“Join the club,” Caleb muttered.
“You can park on our property as long as you need,” Mel said. She wasn’t going to turn the girl away, but she did want this over. “As far as…our father…” She took a deep breath and focused on Dan’s hand on her back, on the fact that he somehow still thought her strong and capable. “He was injured five years ago, and neither his physical nor emotional health are great. I’m not sure seeing you would be good for him.”
Summer’s shoulders slumped. Her voice was barely audible. “I see.”
“He doesn’t know about you.”