When it came time to clean up, Brenna began helping. Slaton put his hands on hers. “Stop. You need to rest.”
“I need to do something.”
“Then do something by sitting here and keeping Mom company.” He pushed her down and stared at her until she nodded in agreement. Once she gave her assent, he moved to help his mother.
Tahnee stopped him. “You get out of here. Leave us women alone to chat.” Seeing the look in his eye, she promised, “She won’t do anything. I’ll make sure of it.”
Reluctantly he left them, but not before kissing Brenna on the forehead.
“That boy of mine is madly in love with you, you know that don’t you?” Tahnee ran the dishwater.
“I know he’s attracted to me, but I don’t know why.” Brenna, while not moving from her seat, began just gathering dishes on the table to make it easier on Tahnee to pick them all up. She still didn’t want to think of him loving her. It still seemed so impossible to her.