His worried gaze shifted over my shoulder to Charlie and Theo, still on the playground. Theo was standing under Charlie who had her feet on his shoulders as she tried to master the monkey bars.
“I mean, what kind of person leaves her kids behind to gopursue her dreams.” His hands waved mockingly. “A selfish piece of crap, that’s what.”
Ashton wasn’t one to talk bad about people and he disliked it when other people did. The way he was watching the kids right then, I knew he was feeling protective.
I got that. But I also didn’t want him thinking those things about Brianna.
“Hey.” I tried to calm him with my tone. “Brianna is a really good person. There’s a lot more to this than you understand. She deserves to go live her dreams.”
The fire in his eyes burned hotter and it only melted me more. He thrust his hands toward the kids. “Tally, you can’t possibly condone her leaving?—”
An oof escaped his chest when I sacked him in a hug.
“Thank you,” I said. “For loving the kids. And me.”
His arms stayed stiffly out, making sure not to touch me. “Is it okay if I hug you back? I don’t want you to rebreak my nose.”
I laughed. “Um. You better. This is very awkward doing it by myself.”
His arms wrapped around me and I relaxed into him.
“It’s not fair to you though,” he said softly. “You have your whole life in front of you. You’re just finishing school. You should be livingyourdreams.”
“I am,” I said. “I promise. I want them. They are part of my dream.” I ran my fingers over his beard. “I’m sorry about the date. And your nose.”
“It’s okay,” he murmured and I wondered if his knees were shaking as much as mine.
“I’m working on stuff,” I said. “Be patient with me?”
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and there was relief in his eyes. “Yeah. Of course. Are you okay if I kiss your forehead?”
I nodded.
His lips on my skin lit a fire in my stomach. And my thighs. And my chest. Okay. My entire body was a glowing ember. I forced myself to be honest right then. I felt safe with Ashton, really safe. At least, when I didn’t get in my own way.
My fingers wrapped around his biceps. “I need to turnthis day around for them. Would it be okay if we ran through the Dairy Queen drive-thru on the way out of town? I promised them Blizzards.”
“Yeah. But we can do better than just Dairy Queen. Are you guys up for helping at the ranch after? When we’re done with cows, we could saddle up for a ride?”
I grinned. “Yes. They would love that.”
He stepped away, putting distance between us, and rubbed his hands together. “Let’s do it.”
“Oh. You got your cast off.”
“Yesterday.” He smiled. “And my nose is feeling much better.”
He stretched, arms to the sky, a full-toothed grin on his face. His countenance had done a one-eighty since arriving. Looked like I’d learned something about The Care and Feeding of Ashton: if at any time you find your Ashton a bit grumpy, a simple hug will do.
fourteen
ASHTON
If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.
— JANE AUSTEN
Today was freaking amazing.
