Fuck, that broken whisper kills me. “I did everything I could to get here.”
She looks down at my furry friend. “Who is that?”
“This is Gunnar,” I close the distance. “He needs a mama, you up for the job?”
Looking away, River swallows twice. “You got me a freaking puppy? That’s low, Diesel.”
I brush my mouth over her temple, linger there as a shudder tightens my chest. “I got us a puppy. He was a stray and needed a good home.”
When I tip her chin up and our eyes meet, my lungs compress.
“God, I missed you.”
“If you didn’t have the cutest puppy in the world in your arms, I’d smack you.”
Her fingers find the little guy’s fur, scratches him under his collar, making him tilt his head this way and that.
“I didn’t miss you,” she murmurs as strokes the fur on his ear. “But he’s perfect. He can stay.”
“That’s a start.” I pull her closer, taking the kiss I’ve been dying for.
Just like I expected, she’s stiff and resistant.
“Seems like I need to soften you up.”
Scowling at me she tries to pull away. “Good luck with that.”
I lower Gunnar to the floor and drag her in for a hug that I need as much as her. “How about I start with, I’m sorry.”
She grumbles, but her hands find my belt and hook into the sides.
“Zero points,” she mutters.
“What about the puppy, is that any points?”
She thinks for a minute. “Maybe a half.”
“I’ll take it.” When I pick her up, she grabs my shoulders. “Diesel!”
“Fuck, it’s good to hear you say my name.” I carry her to the bed and sit on the edge, her legs wrapped around my waist. We’re eye to eye, right where I want her.
“I know I hurt you. I’m sorry baby, it’s not what you think.”
She glances down, brushes more tears away. “Well youmight want to start talking because I’ve got a party to go to BY MYSELF.”
“You’re not going by yourself.” I brush her hair back from her face, settling one arm low around her back. The other resting on her cheek. “But first I need to tell you everything.”
The pain in her expression is almost more than I can bear and makes my words thick with emotion. “I had to walk away to protect you.”
“What do you mean?” She stiffens in my hold.
“The fire and the drone weren’t someone coming for you. It was me. They wanted me dead. We tracked down the guy and found out he’d been staked out, ready to take a shot at me on two occasions. Once near your ranch. The other time was the day of the fire. He was there on the ridge.
“Oh my god,” she breathes. “That’s horrible.”
I kiss her forehead, so fucking relieved this is done.
“The only way I could make sure they were away from you,” I say, forcing my voice steady, “was to lure him and his friend out. Sheriff Baker and I set the trap.”
