Holy shit.
“Where is he?” I barely squeak out.
Ford takes a shaky breath and runs his palm over his face, backing slowly away. “Chris? He’s gone.”
The finality in his tone keeps me from asking further.
Maybe I don’t want to know how he’s so firm with his answer?
He tightens up the last strap on his saddle, then pulls the reins so he can bunch them in his fist. “You want my advice? Ease the hell up and earn her trust. It took me a long time to learn there’sno fast track through it. But the love of a steady person works wonders.” For the first time, his features soften. “Then it’ll be the best thing you’ve ever had.”
Tipping his hat in a short nod, he leads his horse out of the barn.
That’s great and all. But how do I let her build up trust if she doesn’t let me in at all?
I guess I need to just chill out.
We’ve only been sleeping together for two weeks. I shouldn’t be in such a hurry, right?
Except every day that passes has me wanting her more.
With a sigh that clouds the air in front of me, I follow Ford out into the snowy yard.
Chapter 28
Val
I can’t stop thinkingof that pouty fucking look on Sawyer’s face when I left him standing in the parking lot the other day.
By the time he shows up to work on Friday, I struggle with wanting to just throw myself into his arms and apologize.
But when he walks in, a broad, gentle smile lifts his cheeks.
His bright eyes flit over the empty room and his pace quickens to stride around the bar to where I’m standing.
“Hey, I just wanted you to know, I’m not gonna push anymore.” His words tumble out before I can stop him.
Then his warm palms cup my jaw to press a soft kiss to my lips. “I can be patient. I’m glad you made it home from your shopping trip.”
A hot buzz fills my limbs as I let my arm wrap his waist.
He makes it so hard to want to keep him at a distance.
I kind of don’t want to.
With one last press of his mouth to my forehead, he disappears into the kitchen, leaving me speechless and weak-kneed, hanging from the edge of the counter.
I’m just about to follow him when the chime of the bell above the main door warns me of a new customer.
Damn it.
Turning towards the bar with my practiced smile, it freezes in surprise when I see who’s sauntering in.
“Hello, Val.” Eli Bailey walks with athletic grace close enough to prop his foot on one of the stools across from me. His nearly white shock of blond hair is slicked across the top of his head over what looks like an expensive suit.
“Rosalyn mentioned you had reached out after all of these years. Talk about a blast from the past.” He offers his palm across the wood top of the counter.
Sliding my fingers across his hand, he squeezes it and brings it to his lips. “You look as amazing as ever.”
