I never want to sleep any other way.
The first thing I thought when I figured out Mom and Crystal were at Sagebrush was wondering what they had been up to with no one to greet them. It’s not like I informed either of them about Rosalie taking a little vacation. Why would I?
I realized I don’t trust them, either of them. It was sobering.
Hell, I left the door unlocked because I knew Arden was on her way. Having her in the house without me wasn’t something I even thought twice about.
My mother and sister? I found the notion bone chilling.
And damn, it breaks my heart.
Arden shrugs. “I could have also turned around when I pulled up. I had my suspicion about who the car belonged to and I was right.” She looks up at me, her navy eyes saying more than her words. So much more; things I think it might be time to say. “I wasn’t going to leave them in your home alone without knowing whether you were aware of their arrival or not. They don’t strike me as people who would call ahead,” she arches an eyebrow as if daring me to contradict her.
I chuckle and kiss her softly. And quickly.
When I stand back up at my full height, I tilt my head as I look at her. “Strip, Sunflower.”
Her lips part; they’re pretty, pink and waiting for my kiss. As her breathing picks up, she starts to pull her clothing off. I match every piece. Shoes. Socks.
Jeans. Sweater for her, after the jacket I didn’t bother peeling off her downstairs. Flannel on my end with an undershirt, the whitest one I had in my drawer.
When we’re naked, Arden giggles as she crawls into bed. I lunge at her luscious ass, gripping it and making her yelp and arch her back. Her hair tumbles over her shoulders, a wave of something golden and bronzed.
We tumble to the bed in a heap of tangled limbs and breathless smiles. The way she goes limp when I manhandle her right where I want her, in the shelter of my body and where I can see her navy-blue eyes, has me chuckling and shaking my head.
All she does is grin at me in response.
“Okay,” once we’re situated, I look at her and hope she can see that every word I say to her is true. “I’m going to just lay it out there. It’s going to be a lot, but I’m not stopping and I’m not slowing down.”
“Ford,” she sighs as she bites the corner of her lip and fights the smile that wants to break free. “Don’t you think some of the things you said is happening a little fast?”
“No.”
Fuck, it’s not easy to concentrate with her smooth skin pressed against mine. My hand, large and calloused from years of work, slides over her hip. Her skin is so soft.
“You’re going to have to give me a little more than that, Cowboy,” she teases me.
I lean forward and kiss her shoulder before muttering, “Yeah, yeah.” I take a breath and let it out slowly. “Here’s the long and short of it. I fell in love with you over the last year. I didn’t know it was you, but that doesn’t matter. I fell in love with you, Sunflower. Your heart. Your soul. Your dreams. I want to help you make them a reality. I want to watch you realize each one with a full heart and the pride of the people who love you at your back. You have no idea, but this whole town would come out and help you make anything into a reality.”
“I don’t want anyone’s pity,” she stubbornly pushes back against my words.
“It’s not pity. It’s respect. Joy even. Love for sure. You smile when people come to you,” I remind her. “Do you understand what you are in charge of?”
She huffs, her eyebrows furrowed adorably, “What are you talking about?”
“People in this town trust you. They trust you with their Christmas cards. With their bills, which might be the difference between the lights being on or off. They trust you with gifts for friends and family they can’t go and see. And you greet them with a smile on your face; you don’t pry or gossip.”
“It’s my job,” she points out, her words slow as if she’s trying to understand.
“It is, but it’s more than that, too.” I consider her for a long moment before kissing her forehead. Her eyes slide closed and she leans into the contact. “I think you started ignoring the whispers so long ago that you don’t hear them anymore, especially when they’re about you. You block them out. It’s notwhat you think. This town loves you. You have a dream? They’ll show up for you.”
“Maybe one day,” she offers, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
I nod, taking in her words. “But for us?” The words are a whisper, “I think it happened that first letter, falling in love with you. It was brave, what you did, the way you were vulnerable and sweet.”
Her breath hitches and her eyes widen. I nod and she licks her lips.
“This is a long time coming as far as I’m concerned. A year is too long to be falling in love and having no way to get you to do the same.”
