He nods and walks past me to the door. “I’ll wait for you in the hall to get your bags when you’re ready.”
Damn it! I feel like such an asshole.
26
NORA
THE DRIVEto Tuck’s ranch last night was silent and tense. That damn bouquet of roses sat on the console between us, mocking me for taking my anger out on the wrong person. The first time anyone’s got me roses, and I turned on him like a hissing cat.
On the one hand, I was sure I was projecting things onto Tuck. I don’t think he would do any of the mean things my imagination was conjuring. On the other hand, I trusted before, and I was wrong. So wrong.
While silently twisting the ring on my finger, I told myself I need time. I asked him for room to breathe, and he said he would give it to me, but will he forgive me if I’m mistaken?
Most of his family were in bed when we got to the ranch, so he showed me to a spare bedroom and told me what time everyone is usually up to eat breakfast. With a curt goodnight, he quietly shut the door, and I cried myself to sleep.
I woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs, and I’m pretty sure the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time. The birds are chirping outside the window, and the morning sun is making the room glow. The room is sparse with just the large natural wood bed, bedside tables and a tall dresser across the room.
What gives it charm is the homemade quilt and matching shams for the decorative pillows I tossed on the comfortable-looking chair next to the window. A crocheted throw matching the colors of the quilt is tossed over the back of the chair.
But then, any peace I was feeling is crushed by everything I learned last night like a roof collapsing on me. To be honest, I’m scared to death about what Matt has pinned on me. I don’t know what I’m going to do if it all blows back on me.
Rolling over in the comfy bed, I see the roses Tuck bought for me sitting on the bedside table. Sliding out from under the covers, I inspect the box he brought with him last night for the first time. It’s a beautiful vase.
He bought a vase for the flowers because he knew I didn’t have one in my room.
I think he’s the sweetest man I’ve ever met.
And I feel like a huge bitch.
Using the ensuite bathroom, I fill the vase with water and arrange the roses in it before I brush my teeth and prepare myself to meet Tuck’s whole family – another thing that has my stomach tied in knots.
Just as I slip my feet into my flats, there’s a soft knock at my door. It can’t be Tuck; each time he knocked on my door at the inn, it was more aggressive than that. I open the door to find Marley on the other side.
Her smile is bright, and her stomach is big like Kinley’s. A little blond girl is standing behind her leg, her arms wrapped around Marley’s thigh.
“Morning. I hope you slept well, Tuck told us you came in after we were putting kids to bed last night. I would have gladly helped you settle in if he’d got me.” Her hand is rubbing her belly, and I realize just how much she and Kinley look alike.
Opening the door all the way, I return her smile. “It’s okay, it was all kind of last minute. But I slept very well, better than I have in some time.” I squat down in front of her to look at a set of icy blue eyes. “Who is this?”
The little girl moves her face further behind Marley’s leg so that only one eye is peeking at me. “This is my daughter Sofi. She’s shy. Sofi, say hi to Nora.”
Lifting my hand, I waggle my fingers at her. I’m not surprised when she doesn’t say hi and doesn’t come out from behind her mama’s leg. “Hi Sofi, it’s nice to meet you.” Her head moves ever so slightly to show me her little button nose with the one eye. I’m pretty sure that’s the only acknowledgment I’m going to get.
A small gasp from Marley pulls my attention back up to her, and I stand up hoping she isn’t going into labor in front of me or something. Her eyes are on the vase of roses on the table. “Did Tuck get you those?”
Looking over my shoulder, I nod and look back at her. “Yeah, we were supposed to go on a date last night, but it was ruined. He was going to take me to the Fall Festival.”
Marley’s surprised blue eyes flick back to me. “H-He was taking you on a date?”
Not sure whether I should be confused or insulted, I nod.
She links her fingers together and holds her hands under her chin before she looks back at me with a big smile. “Nora, I don’t know how much you know about Tuck, but since the accident with his leg, he’s been so closed off and angry.” Her eyes go back to the flowers and then again to me. “You must be very special to him.”
Shit.
I am a bitch. Guilt squeezes my chest.
“Is Tuck downstairs eating breakfast?”
