“When did you become the optimistic one?”she asked.
“When I met you.”Chelsea had made him believe he could do anything.
She shook her head and shifted away a little, taking three small breaths.
“If I could do things differently, I would,” he said, desperate for her not to shut him out.
Chelsea searched his gaze and then placed a tentative hand on his chest.“I’m scared, Ethan.I’m not sure I can handle being hurt like that again.”
“I can’t walk away again.Not without trying to make things right.”He covered her hand with his own.“I can’t promise there won’t be times when we both get hurt, but I promise not to make big decisions about us without talking to you first.”
She closed her eyes and Ethan held his breath, waiting for her to decide.
Finally she opened them.“If you tried, I’d fight back this time.”
Elation filled him as she leaned closer and pressed her lips against his.
The kiss was soft, hesitant at first as they explored each other’s mouths, relearning their taste.He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, needing to touch her, feel her warmth under his hands.
This was coming home.
She moaned and the sound sent a shot of lust straight to his groin, but before he could deepen the kiss, she stepped back.She tasted her lips and smiled.“If we keep that up, we won’t get any work done.”
His heart raced and hope filled him, but with it came a serving of fear.He pushed it down.“What work?”
Her laugh made him grin.
“Come on.”She took his hand and led him towards the door.“If seduction is your way of distracting me, it won’t work.”She glanced over her shoulder.“Today.”With a quick grin, she pulled him out of the house.
And in that moment, Ethan knew he had never stopped loving Chelsea McGinnis.
***
Chelsea’s heart raced as she let go of Ethan’s hand to open the next cabin to clean.Was she making a huge mistake letting Ethan into her heart again?She hadn’t been able to resist his earnestness or his gentle touch.
She wanted to believe he was telling the truth.It made sense when she thought about the people they had been.His fear of rejection and her insistence on saying what a great home they would build together.
Perhaps neither of them had been emotionally ready for the commitment it would take or the hard conversations they might need to have.
She could acknowledge how vulnerable she felt at the time, and how she might have doubted what Ethan was up to during the time he was away.
Her father had cheated on his wife and he’d used work as an excuse to spend time with her mother.
Chelsea sighed, trying to rein in her emotions.Though the kiss had heated her body and made her feel at home all at once, it was just a kiss.There was so much more to a relationship.
Only time would tell if they’d changed too much to make it work.
He had loved her.
Part of her was angry for the despair she’d gone through, but perhaps it had made her stronger.She was damned sure she would question any decisions going forward and not be so meek about it.
“Same deal in here?”Ethan asked.“A good airing and cleaning?”
She brought her attention back to the room and nodded.“These are the family cabins, so if I can take photos when we’re done and throw up a quick website, we might get some interest from people who come down for the fair.”
“Great idea.”
Chelsea put on her favourite playlist and the music added cheer to what was already a good vibe.She caught Ethan mouthing the words to the songs and smiled.
