I find myself smiling up at him, just as nervous as a schoolgirl. He’s so damn sexy it hurts. And he’s kind. He didn’t tell me his whole life story, but it was enough for me to know the type of man he is. He’s fiercely loyal and will do anything for the people he loves.
Chapter 11
Tate
Ittakeseverythinginme to keep from staring out the window as she drives away. I don’t want her to leave. I’m fully aware of how insane and ridiculous it is to want to keep her with me, but I don’t care. I feel better when she’s around. I feel like it’s finally okay to be my true self. There’s no hero worship or preconceived notions. She knows me for who I am, not who this town thinks I should be. If nothing else, it’s refreshing. It’s so exhausting trying to be everything to everyone.
I don’t deserve her. Especially after she spelled out what she needs in a man. She deserves to have a man that will give her everything she needs. Who will marry her, and give her children, and a white picket fence. I don’t have that to offer. My plate is already full, but it doesn’t stop the urge to be selfish and take what I can anyway.
The sound of tires rolling across gravel interrupts my thoughts. Lo and behold, I look out the front door to see Joy’s car pulling back in. Has she changed her mind? Does she feel the same? I don’t bother trying to hide my excitement as I yank the door open and step out onto the front porch.
She steps out of the car and stares at me, standing there frozen as if the rain isn’t pouring down. After a moment, she shakes her head and makes her way toward me on the porch.
“Hey.” Her voice is all breathy and it speaks directly to places it shouldn’t. “Is there another way out of here? Your drive is flooded.”
I shake my head. “Not unless you want to take one of the horses.”
“Would you mind driving me home?” she asks. “Your truck could probably make it; it isn’t too bad.”
Again, I shake my head. “I’m not trying to be a dick, but with the way the rain is still coming down, I don’t want to get stranded without a way back. I have to be able to feed the animals first thing in the morning. You can stay here. I don’t have the guest room made up, but you can take my bed while I take the couch.”
She tugs her bottom lip between her teeth. “I’ll call Rayna and see if maybe Wyatt can come get me. He drives a truck.”
As much as I’d like to have her sleeping in my house, wearing my clothes, I can’t argue. There’s no reason for her not to leave if she can get a ride. Honestly, if it came down to it and she really had to go, I would probably risk having to hike up my long ass drive to get back here.
“At least come inside so we can figure it out. You’re all wet again and it’s not getting any warmer.”
I turn to head into the house, and she follows me even while pulling out her phone. Heading back to the linen closet, I grab her a towel while she makes a call.
“Hey, Rayna, can you have Wyatt come get me? Tate’s road is flooded. My car can’t get through, and Tate is worried if he leaves, he won’t be able to get back to his animals if the rain keeps up.”
I can only hear one side of the conversation as I make my way back, wrapping her in a fluffy gray bath towel. She places her phone on speaker, freeing up her hands to hold the towel around herself.
Rayna’s voice fills the silence. “Wyatt’s still off in the woods until tomorrow night. Why don’t you see if Grayson can pick you up? I don’t think he lives too far, and he drives a truck and obviously knows how to get to Tate’s.”
The very suggestion pisses me off. For what reason, I don’t know, and I don’t really care. All I know is absolutely the fuck not. I don’t care if he’s fucking River, or all of Cole County, he’s not driving Joy home.
Reaching across the coffee table, I hit the mute button on her phone. “No. Just stay here. I’ll throw your clothes in the wash and drive you to the ranch tomorrow. Honestly, if it’s that important that you leave, then I’m willing to risk taking you home.”
She looks at me, her face, a mask of indecision. After a long hesitation, she unmutes her phone. “Okay, Rayna. I’ll figure something out. If anything, I can just get his number from Tate.”
When the phone disconnects, she remains where she is, studying me closely. “You really don’t want your brother to drive me home.”
She isn’t asking. “I’d rather he didn’t. We got into it again before his ride because I walked in on him and River in the med room, and it was a whole thing.”
Her lips quirk up into a small smile. “And your hand is okay?”
I laugh in spite of myself, and begin to relax. Keeping quiet, I wait for her to come to a decision. I really don’t want to push her to stay here if she’s uncomfortable and I also really don’t want to drive her out to her place and then get stuck. I could stay at the Millers’ if I can’t get back down my driveway, but it’s not ideal. Her resolve begins to crumble before my eyes.
“I have to work at the ranch early in the morning…”
“Yeah.” I nod slowly. “I live on a ranch. I’m up early every morning. And I have to be there anyway. If the water hasn’t gone down by morning, I’ll drive you.”
Slowly, she nods her head. “Okay.”
“I’m sorry I don’t have a spare room made up, but the sheets are clean. I’ll grab you something to sleep in and then I’ll take the couch.”
It’s already getting late, and I know she’s been worried about getting up early so I don’t want to drag anything out. And I want her to be comfortable. Lightning flashes in the distance followed by a low rumble of thunder as we make our way to my bedroom.
