I rest my hand on Owen's leg under the table. He stiffens under my touch, and the knots that have been in my stomach since we arrived twist tighter and tighter until I’m about to scream out to everyone that we’re together, but the sadness in my mom's eyes reminds me there are much more serious things happening.
My love life can wait.
You know what? Call me selfish, but maybe it can’t wait. I’m miserable, and it hurts my heart to see Owen so disconnected. I keep my mouth shut during dinner and dessert, but after we’ve cleared the table and are saying our goodbyes, I reach for his hand as we turn to leave, but he pulls away.
Enough.
Bringing my fingers to my lips, I whistle.
Heads turn in my direction along with puzzled looks.
I saunter up to Owen, slide my hand in his and place a kiss on his lips. “I’ve watched all of you fall in love with the people you were meant to be with. Well, I found my person years ago but told myself I didn’t get to have the same happy the rest of you have. I was wrong. I’m tired of denying myself, and I’m tired of hurting the man who makesmehappy along the way. So, let mebe very clear. Owen and I are together. I’ve wasted years, and I refuse to waste another second.”
I sneak a peek at the man who no longer simply holds my hand but has interlaced his fingers with mine in solidarity. I follow his stoic expression aimed at his best friend.
“Cal, if you have a problem, talk to your wife because I don’t want to hear it. Gus. Knox. Same with you. The girls know everything and can explain it to you. Frankly, I don’t have the energy tonight.”
Our moms are beaming, and I’m not surprised in the least. It’s like they have some sort of maternal superpower that allows them to see the future. I’m just glad to see them smiling. In fact, Mom is signaling for us to leave.
She doesn’t have to ask me twice.
My first tug on Owen’s hand to direct him to the front door with me doesn’t work. He’s still locked in on Cal. The second time I walk out of the room dragging him behind me, not giving him a choice. “C’mon, baby. Let’s go home.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Owen
Continuing to follow Daisy’s lead, I close the door behind us and let her drag me to the truck. Once we’re both inside, I turn in my seat and take her in, trying to connect the dots and hoping my mind isn’t playing tricks on me.
“What was that?”
“What was what?”
“You just told everyone we’re together.”
“Oh, that.”
“Yes, that.”
“Well... see... the thing is... I’m in love with you, Owen Swift, and I’m tired of pretending I’m not. I know you’ve only used that word in your journal, but you did say you want me to be yours. Hopefully, I’m not too far ahead of you.”
Afraid to speak and ruin the moment, I throw the truck in drive heading toward Cal’s abandoned house here on the ranch’s property. Parking around back, I hold my hand up, telling her to stay where she is. Grabbing the two sleeping bags still under theback seat from a camping trip I cancelled after Daisy got hurt, I lower the tailgate and unroll the sleeping bags.
“What are you up to?” she asks when I don’t let her step down from the truck, instead lifting her into my arms and carrying her to the makeshift bed in the back.
She scoots back onto the sleeping bags and props herself up on an elbow. Her other hand gathers her long dress, exposing her walking boot and one light blue cowboy boot. She keeps tugging at the material until she’s teasing me with a view of the apex of her thighs and the white cotton covering her sweet pussy.
“Say it again,” I demand, desperate to hear the words from her lips again.
“I’m in love with you.”
I pause, taking in her confession of love along with the beauty of the face I’ve memorized like an astronomer memorizes the stars in the sky. Her eyes look meaningfully into mine, it’s like I can feel her tugging at my soul.
“You own me. You know that, right?”
“Show me.”
Slipping her panties down her sinfully perfect legs and over her boots. Her legs opens to me and I drink her in. The darkness of the night sky can’t hide the fading bruises on her skin; regardless, she’s absolutely beautiful. There’s a faint smile on her face, not big enough to expose her dimples, but enough that I can see the moonlight dancing in her eyes. Her chest heaves as her fingers reach for my waistband. She’s just as desperate for me as I am for her. More importantly, she’s happy.
