“I’d rather be pecked to death by chickens than force myself to learn something I’m not even sure I’d want to do ten years from now,” I say, and a tiny, real smile touches my lips. “Cyrus loves this ranch. It’s not perfect, but it’s his. And I want to be by his side while we make it work. He’s been alone, you’ve said it yourself. I want to change that. That’s what I want to do. I don’t need to go to some fancy school to find happiness. I’ve found it right here.”
Dad hums in contemplation, hardly giving his feelings away.
The floorboard creaks. Cyrus returns, taking a world-record-breaking shower before claiming the seat beside me. Without a word, I reach up and gently touch his cheek, where an angry red mark is already darkening into a bruise. He leans into the touch, just slightly.
My dad watches the exchange, and a soft curse escapes him. “Jesus.”
“I’ll take care of her,” Cyrus says, his eyes locked on my father. “You have my word. I’d never let her get hurt.”
Dad’s gaze drops to my throat, and I notice his bob. “Right.”
“I’ll call you,” I promise, leaning forward. “Every day if you want, until you get tired of hearing my voice. But I can admit it, I’ve been seriously slacking. I’ve just been… terrified of disappointing you.”
The admission seems to deflate him. The last of the fight drains from his shoulders. “Millie, you could never disappointme. I just want you to be happy.” He sighs, a weary, world-heavy sound. “Even if… this is what makes you happy right now.”
Cyrus’s hand finds mine on the tablecloth, lacing our fingers together. “There’s nothing ‘right now’ about it,” he says, his voice quiet but absolute. “I’d marry her tomorrow if she’d have me. I’m in this for life.”
I gasp, my head whipping toward him. A wild, impossible joy flares in my chest.
My dad just looks horrified. “Marry? That would make you my son-in-law.” He runs a hand over his face, a groan of pure exasperation ripping from him. “Cyrus. We graduated together, for fuck’s sake. Kicked ass together foryears.”
Cyrus merely shrugs, the gesture so utterly unconcerned it’s almost comical. The truth is simply the truth to him.
A stunned silence swallows the room. I watch them, these two most important men in my life, one looking wrecked, the other looking utterly resolved.
As I get Cyrus some food, I offer Dad a small, hopeful smile. “I’m okay. Really, I am.”
He looks at me long and hard before finally nodding. “It’s… going to take me some time to get used to this.”
“Take all the time you need,” Cyrus says from beside me. He’s not smiling, but the fierce edge is gone from his voice. “As long as you’re not trying to take her away, you’re welcome here anytime. You’re family. I know how much that means to you.”
Dad meets his gaze then, a long, measured look passing between them—an old classmate, a furious father, and now, impossibly, something else.
Everything feels… okay. I think with time, everything is going to be the way it should be.
11
Cyrus
It takes too damn long to get Jerry on his way. As great as it was to see him, my face hurts, and I’m tired of worrying that he’s still considering whisking Millie away. There’s nothing better than watching his vehicle disappear behind a cloud of dust.
“He should’ve called.” Grumbling, we both watch as his car makes its way down my driveway.
“He tried, I just missed it.” She looks my way and grimaces at my face. “I want to say that went better than what I expected, but you still took a hit to the face. I know he didn’t say it, but I’m sorry he punched you. He’s just… really caring.”
Shrugging a shoulder, I know I won’t hold it against him. Not when we’ve tussled before. Back then, we were young enough to endure the injuries. Doesn’t make it ache any less. “We used to get in fights all the time during our younger years. While I knew he was a force to be reckoned with, I never thought I’d be the one to take a hit. Good to know he’s not completely soft.”
Rubbing my jaw, I can’t help but be a little dramatic about my pain. Especially when she gets this fussy about it.
“How about you kiss it better, and I’ll get over it?”
She takes the offer, but squeaks when I turn my head just in time to kiss her instead.
I’ve been wanting to kiss her all damn day. If it weren’t for the daggers being glared at me, I would’ve.
Slapping my chest, she pauses when I wince. Getting her again, she scoffs at the realization. Rolling her eyes, she sighs against my mouth when I kiss her again.
“You weren’t serious about the wife stuff, were you?”
