Joy
Time’sup.There’snothingleft to do but talk. We had coffee and ate something light before going out for morning chores. I feel much better than I thought I would. In fact, I feel pretty good. Tate looked shocked when I joined him in the kitchen wearing one of his sweatshirts and the jeans I had on last night. Even if I was hung over, I would have suffered through, knowing how buried in work he is.
“Toast?” Tate has two slices of bread in the toaster and holds up the loaf as he waits for my answer.
“Sure. Thanks.”
He places bread into the two empty slots. “You ready to tell me why you left here the way you did?”
I let out a small gasp in surprise. I knew it was talk time, but damn. I was hoping we would ease into it. Taking a sip of my coffee, I watch him over the rim as I try to explain the crippling anxiety I felt at the thought of facing him. It wasn’t our first time together, but I’ve never felt so raw. So stripped bare and exposed. Yet none of that changes the fact that he’s my boss. Or that he kept it from me.
“I was afraid to face you,” I admit in a low whisper.
“Have I done something to make you afraid to talk to me? What were you afraid to say? You’re safe to tell me anything you want,” he promises.
I take another sip of the hot coffee and try again to think of some words. “I’m sure you don’t think it’s a big deal, but you lied to me. You lied by omitting something so important. I struggled enough with you being associated with the ranch I work for.”
Tate removes the toast and places it on a plate with the bacon and sausage, and I follow him to the table with the plate of eggs and potatoes. His gaze lingers on mine as he takes the seat across from me, but he doesn’t say anything. He simply gestures for me to fix my plate.
“I’m sorry. I really am. If I could go back in time, I would tell you on the first night. But we talked about this already. And then I thought you changed your mind. You came after me. You stayed with me at the hospital. You took care of me…”
His voice cracks on the last word and that’s all it takes for my walls to come crashing down. Suddenly, none of it matters. Boulder Ranch doesn’t matter. What people think doesn’t matter. I’m not the only one who’s been stripped bare. His elbows are on the table as he rests his chin on his clasped hands and watches me closely.
“Of course I stayed with you…”
“Why?” His horse voice is barely above a whisper.
“I tried to walk away. I tried to leave you alone.” My eyes burn with unshed tears as I try to find some words to fix this.
His eyes linger on mine before he averts his gaze and turns his attention to his breakfast. I’m not hungry. My stomach is in knots, but I force myself to take a few bites. The food is delicious, but I barely taste it as I worry about what’s next for us. Everything I said holds true, but I’m not sure I’m ready to let him go.
“If you don’t want to do this—if you really want this to be over…” He drags a hand over his beard and swallows hard before he continues. “If this is really over, I’ll take you home. I won’t hunt you down at work. I’ll leave you alone. But this isn’t corporate America. Ranches and farms like this are family-owned and run. You’re a good worker and everyone knows it. Decide for yourself, not because you’re worried about what people might think.”
Warm tears escape and I try to wipe them away, but it’s pointless. I don’t want it to be over. I tried to convince myself I did. All the time I spent avoiding him, I tried to forget him. I tried to forget the way he makes me feel. I tried to forget how safe I feel in his arms.
“I don’t want it to be over,” I admit. “I just don’t know how…”
He’s out of his chair and crouching beside me before I even get the words out. He looks up at me and places his hand on my shoulder, slowly sliding it up to cup my jaw. Closing my eyes, I lean into the comfort of his touch. Avoiding him has been absolute torture.
“You don’t have to know how. We’ll figure it out together,” he says gently before placing a kiss right beside my lips. “If you want, I’ll pretend like I don’t even know you when I see you at the ranch. And I promise to make sure to fire you if you start slacking.”
Somehow, I find myself laughing. “Well since you put it that way…”
Laughing, he stands and pulls me from my chair and into his arms. I breathe in his scent, allowing it to calm me. I barely reach his shoulder, making it easy to get lost in his hugs. This is what I needed. No matter what lies I told myself, there will be no walking away from this man. If things between us end, we’ll both leave with bruises and claw marks. It’s terrifying. And comforting.
He places another kiss on the other side of my mouth before finally pressing his lips to mine. This kiss is slow and gentle. Tentative. Keeping one hand on my lower back, he slides the other one up the back of my neck, holding me in place as he deepens the kiss. Finally, I begin to relax. We still have a lot to figure out, but at least I know we’ll figure it out together.
Chapter 28
Tate
Shiftingmytruckintopark, I look up at the newly constructed ranch-style house in front of me. I’ve been here before, but not like this. Not to try to have a conversation with my brother that I really need to end with a handshake and not a fight. His truck is in the driveway, but since he’s still technically not supposed to be driving, that doesn’t really mean much.
With a heavy sigh, I place my hat on my head and step out of the truck. I don’t make it all the way up to the porch before the door swings open and Gray appears.
“Was wondering if you planned to get out of your truck or just sit there all day,” Gray says with a smirk.
“How you feeling?” I ask as I climb the last two steps to the porch.
