I laughed to myself, completely understanding now what the hell he’d meant all those years ago. When it was meant to be, you just knew, felt it in every fiber of your being. The way I used to feel sitting on that bronco in the chute seconds before I put it allon the line was the same feeling I had being here with Reece, the belief that I was going to succeed, that I would win, regardless of what I was facing.
The day I ended my career, that feeling wasn’t there. I didn’t want to trust it and it cost me. Could have been much worse so I was thankful to be alive, but more than anything, I was thankful that one misstep had landed me here with a woman I wanted more than I could make sense of.
When I couldn’t shut my mind down, I ended up texting my brother at three in the morning. He called back instead, feeling concerned. When I ran down everything I was thinking, he asked me one question.
“If you could have it all back, competing again but you had to choose between that and Reece, what would your decision be?”
I didn’t have to think twice, the answer came easy but confidently—Reece. Not once had I considered a family over competing, not even with Karah. In fact, I told her if I had to choose, it would always be the thrill of sitting in the chute ready to risk it all. We’d argued about that more times than I could recall and all I remembered was my father telling me that had been his life until he met my mother and the only thrill he craved was her.
“You’re not listening to me.” I dropped my gaze to Reece’s pretty face to find her eyes narrowed.
“I’m listening.”
“You’re not and I’m trying to get us out of here before the snow hits, so pay attention. How much spice can you handle?”
She pointed to the display of jalapeno peppers which I ignored and instead hooked my fingers into the belt loop of her jeans and brought her into my chest. “You might want to provide more context or I’m going to be subject to using my own interpretation of what you’re offering.”
Her lids fluttered before she smiled. “In your chili, cowboy.”
I grinned and leaned in closer to her face, leveling my mouth a breath away from hers. “I like my interpretation better.”
I stole a kiss and let her go. “Put as many peppers as you want.”
“Remember you said that.” She grinned and loaded up. We navigated through two more aisles, stocking up on necessities, before we made it to the register where I paid and she begrudgingly let me after I made it clear I wasn’t debating the topic. After we had everything loaded into the truck, she asked if we could make a stop by Melvina’s B&B to say hello before we headed back to the ranch. I agreed and ten minutes later, I was parking not far from the spot where I’d slept a few nights prior after I arrived in Miller’s Pointe.
We made our way to the house and as soon as we stepped inside my mood lightened. There were Christmas decorations all over the place, a tree in the foyer, one in the living room, and lights with garland lining the railing. The most settling thing about being here was the fragrant scent of cinnamon heavy in the air.
“Well look at God blessing me twice today.” The cheery voice of the woman who’d changed the trajectory of my life came bellowing from a doorway as I followed Reece through the house. She dropped her fists to her hips and smiled while her eyes darted from me to Reece, who walked right into a hug once she was close enough.
“Twice?” Reece asked, stepping back just as Melvina waved me over.
“Yes, twice. You and him.” She turned her smile on me. “Come on over here and let me hug you.”
I knew better than to deny a woman like Melvina, so I accepted the hug, returning the affection before she stepped away and those silver curls were bouncing as she started through the house.
“Come on in here and talk to me.”
I realized we were heading to the kitchen and the scent of cinnamon was getting stronger, making my stomach dance with the prospect of sampling whatever that was. Reece sat at the table without being told, so I followed her lead, filling the spot next her. I smiled when Melvina walked over with a glass cake dish.
Reece rubbed her hands together and exposed a childlike grin. It was cute as hell. “I’ve been craving this.”
“Then you should have made one. I taught you how,” Melvina said, turning away from us to cross the kitchen. She returned with plates and a knife.
“You did but mine never tastes as good as yours.”
She scoffed and rolled her eyes playfully. The smile on her face exposed her feelings. “You sound just like Shore. I taught her too but she always seems to find her way over here to eat up mine. I had to send her home with two a couple days ago and she blamed it on the baby but I know better.”
“What do you know?” a male voice asked from the doorway. All attention was directed to him before Reece jumped up and headed his way, delivering a hug. He held her tightly, kissed her cheek, and I balled my fist on my knee, trying not to show my ass in this woman’s house. She had been kind to me and I didn’t know who the hell he was but apparently Reece was fond of him.
I didn’t like another man having her attention or affection. If I wasn’t so damn irritated by watching this in real time, I would have fucking laughed at my reaction to a woman who was barely even mine being in another man’s face.
“I know your wife is blaming the baby for her sweet tooth.”
Wife…
I relaxed, knowing that whoever this man was, he wouldn’t be an issue.
“Congratulations, by the way. I’m going to make something special for the baby.” You know what you having yet?”
