I add, "Don't worry. My mom put her foot down."
"Oh?" He glances over, arching his eyebrows.
"Yep. You know how she's always had a soft spot for you."
"She stood up to Jacob? For me?"
"Yep."
"Well I'll be," he says, taking another turn.
The small, pale-blue guest cottage appears, nestled among ice-covered trees. Snow blankets the roof several inches thick. Holiday lights match the ones draped across the ranch. Thewooden sign with "Butterfly House" carved on it is unreadable due to the snow.
Wyatt pulls near the porch and parks the truck. He turns off the engine. "I'm glad you're coming in with me."
"I am?"
"Why else did you hop in the truck?"
"You told me to."
"Since when do you do anything you don't want to?" he questions, a wicked grin on his face.
I nervously laugh.
He picks up my hand and kisses it. Then he gets out of the truck, tosses his bag over his shoulder, and comes around to my side to open my door.
I hop out, and he takes my hand, leading me up the porch.
I glance behind me.
"We don't have to worry about anyone seeing us. They all know," he reminds me.
"Oh. Yeah. Right." My gut flips.
He opens the door and motions for me to go inside.
I step into the warm, cozy house.
"Remember when we were here last time?" Wyatt asks, glancing around at the white beadboard walls, wood-burning stove, and tiny kitchen.
Memories of us sneaking into the guesthouse hit me. I smile, inhaling the cedar scent that always hangs in the air, and stare at the butterflies covering the main wall.
He shuts the door with a finality that echoes in my chest. He tosses his bag on the couch and closes the distance between us in two strides. He drags his molten gaze over me and runs his knuckles over my jaw.
I'm hit with another stab of fear.
What if he hurts me again?
I whisper, "This doesn't mean anything."
Amusement fills his expression. "You know that's a lie, sugar."
My anxiety mixes with the tingle in my core.
He murmurs, "Okay. If it doesn't mean anything, then why did you go to bat for me with your parents?"
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
