Grae hurried to fill the silence. “He never asks about people. He doesn’t care to know anything about anyone.”
Wren shifted in her seat, her light brown hair swishing around her shoulders. “She’s right. He’s always been one to stick to himself. But after what happened, it got more extreme.”
That stiffness in my muscles intensified. “After what happened?”
Grae, Wren, and Maddie shared a look.
My stomach roiled. “What?” I pressed.
Wren linked her fingers, squeezing them. “When I was attacked in high school? Roan was initially a suspect.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. Wren had become the focus of three twisted classmates when she was younger. They had gone on a spree one night, killing a few people and injuring others. Wren had been shot and almost died. Initially, the police hadn’t been sure there was a third assailant. It had taken years to find him, and lives had been turned upside down.
The thought that Roan had been a person of interest made my stomach twist. I couldn’t imagine how painful that must’ve been for him and his family. He might have a gruff exterior, but I’d seen kind tenderness in Roan.
“I never thought he was involved,” Wren hurried to say. “I told the police he would never hurt me. But someone said they saw him near one of the crime scenes. They were mistaken, but it was a few days before he was cleared.”
Sympathy washed over Maddie’s face, her blue eyes shining. “People just didn’t get him. Roan was quiet, reserved. Liked being out in nature more than with people.”
Grae picked at an invisible piece of lint on her jeans. “He’s still that way. I worry about him being in that cabin all alone. It’s a battle just to get him to come to these weekly dinners. And now that Caden and I live together, he doesn’t come see me as much.”
I reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry you’ve been worried about him.”
She swallowed hard, her white-blond hair slipping in front of her face. “I just want him to be happy.” She looked up at me. “He’s curious about you.”
My hand tightened around hers. “Not like that.” My words were gentle. I could see it now, a sister so badly wanting someone to take care of her wounded brother. But I knew interest when I saw it, and that hadn’t been in Roan’s gaze.
“You don’t know—”
“I do,” I said, cutting her off. “He’s not interested in me, and I’m not in a place to date.”
“Why not?” Maddie argued. “I’m not saying Roan is interested or not. I couldn’t read that man if my life depended on it. But you deserve some happiness. I’ve seen the customers who come in and flirt with you. Ask you out. You reject every single one.”
My face flamed. “I’ve got Cady and The Brew to worry about. The animals.”
“Excuses, excuses,” Wren singsonged. “Single parents date every day.”
I released Grae’s hand, my palms starting to sweat. “I’m not interested in dating, okay?”
Worry crept into Maddie’s expression. “Aspen. Is everything—？”
“Mama, look!” Cady called, spinning around in some sort of pirouette.
Thank God for tiny children.
“That was beautiful, Katydid.”
She beamed, running toward me and launching herself onto my lap.
I caught her with a laugh. “Having fun?”
“The bestest best time. I love Hartley dinner.”
Grae smiled at my girl. “I’m so glad because you’re part of the family now.”
Her eyes went wide, then glassy with unshed tears. “Really?” she whispered.
Grae sent me a slightly panicked look at Cady’s unexpected emotion. “Of course. We love you like crazy.”
Cady blinked away the tears before they could fall. “I love you, too.”
Charlie crossed to us, flopping onto the couch next to Wren. “When we get married, it’ll be all official,” he announced matter-of-factly.
Wren’s lips twitched, and she drilled a finger into his side. “You gonna beat me down the aisle?”
Charlie grinned. “You guys are taking forever.”
Maddie snorted. “You’re ruthless, Charlie.”
He shrugged. “I just tell the truth.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Kerry called from the other side of the house.
“Finally!” Charlie yelled, jumping off the couch and grabbing Cady’s hand.