The trouble was that she needed to start looking for a place of her own to live. Even though she was still facing her fears and climbing the proverbial mountains in her life, the thought of signing a lease scared her. At times she still questioned if she’d been right to quit being a traveling nurse and put in her resignation with Premier.
Of course, Tyler had said he’d support whatever she chose to do, had told her they’d make a way to be together even if she wanted to continue working with Premier. He’d offered to travel with her for part of the time, and she’d discussed the option of taking shorter trips and assignments that wouldn’t last as long.
In the end, though, she’d realized she needed to let go of the traveling for a while, if not permanently. Living in one place would be different and maybe even scary, but she wanted to take that next step.
Tyler had told her she could stay in her current room and remain at the main house, but she knew she had to go, had to take the next step in having her own apartment. Besides, it was also getting harder to keep her relationship with Tyler from combusting. Although they’d tried to curb their kissing so that they could work on building a friendship and a solidrelationship, their attraction was strong. It was getting harder not to become carried away when they were alone, and she hoped that moving out would dampen the sparks a little.
“I’ve got the best woman in the world,” Tyler said, dropping a kiss on Kinsey’s head. “And I’m keeping her forever.”
Brock’s brow rose, and he shared a knowing look with Tyler. Then Brock ruffled Wyatt’s hair. “Hey, kid. Can you go get my guitar for me? It’s sitting in the front entryway.”
“Sure, Uncle Brock.” Wyatt bounded away eagerly.
“Think you want to keep me forever too?” Tyler whispered, his tone suddenly intense.
They’d already had many conversations about the future, and Tyler had made it clear many times that she was the true love of his life, that he would never let her get away and would always fight for them.
He’d proven that already with a tenacity that had made her feel wanted and special. With how well he loved her, like she was a rare treasure that he revered, how could she not love him more in response? His tenderness and devotion were the same as T.W.’s for Leah, and such tenderness and devotion was irresistible.
Kinsey knew now why Leah adored T.W. in return. It was impossible not to flourish under such love.
She peered up at Tyler and smiled. “I’ll never want another man ever again.” It was the truth. She’d been given a rare gift in this McQuaid man. “And I want to keep you forever and ever and ever.”
His expression relaxed. “Good.”
Had he been worried? Why?
She started to formulate a question, but Wyatt was already stepping back onto the deck with Brock’s guitar. She’d wait until later, when she and Tyler were alone, to ask him more about his worry, and she would assure him she loved him back.
Wyatt rushed over and gave the guitar to Brock.
“Thanks, kid.” He fist-bumped Wyatt. Then he situated his guitar on his knee. “I’ve got a new song I’d like to sing tonight for you guys.”
At the announcement, his family stopped their conversations and gave him their attention.
Sometimes she couldn’t believe she was really interacting with Brock McQuaid. She tried not to act starstruck around him, but it was hard not to at moments like this when he sang for them—a private concert with a brand-new song that no one else had yet heard.
“I actually wrote this for Ty.” Brock shared another glance with Tyler.
Tyler nodded, his dark eyes intense.
“He called me last week and asked if I could come up with something, and I said I’d do anything to help him win the woman he loves.”
Kinsey’s heart jumped ahead an extra beat. Tyler had asked Brock to write a song regarding her? She turned questioning eyes upon Tyler, but he didn’t meet her gaze, was instead focused on his brother.
Brock’s rugged and gritty voice began the song in typical country music style, with a story about a lonely man living in misery, drowning his sorrows with no hope for the tomorrows.
“But then I met you-ou-ou,” Brock sang to an achingly sweet tune. “And I knew it was true-ue-ue. When you find the one you’re looking for, there’s nothing else that matters more, than making her your one and only. Your one and only.”
Tyler squeezed her tighter to his side, his muscular arm hard and possessive, telling her that every word of the song was resonating from his heart.
Tears sprang to her eyes. She didn’t deserve a man so sweet and devoted, but she intended to love him back with everything inside her.
“We’re gonna chase after forever.” Brock’s voice carried through the evening air. “And we’re gonna do it together. No matter if the spurs kick us down, the sparks of our love will abound.”
Brock hummed for a moment and gave a nod to Tyler.
He pulled away from her.
