“Holy shit. That’s what’s been going on. You’re in love with her.”
The word hit me like a bucket of ice water. I sat back on my heels, the fight draining out of me.
“I…” The word stuck in my throat. I’d never said it out loud before. Never even let myself think it clearly. Not for anyone. Not even my parents. But Amos was watching me with something like understanding in his eyes, and suddenly I couldn’t hold it back anymore. “Y-yeah.”
Amos let out a low whistle. “Well, damn.”
He pushed himself up and sat leaning against the wall. He laughed, pressing the back of his hand to his split lip. “I wouldn’t have hit on her if I knew, man. She turned me down anyway, for what it’s worth.”
Something loosened in my chest, and my breath started flowing again.
“But here’s what I don’t understand.” Amos grabbed his fallen beer, grimacing at the mostly empty can. “If you’re so gone for this woman, why are you up here by yourself while she’s down in that valley all alone?”
“She hasn’t called.”
“Have you called her?”
“My phone’s been dead,” I muttered.
Amos stared at me. “You absolute moron.”
“I know.”
“No, I don’t think you do.” He stood up, tossing the empty can in my trash. “You’ve got a woman down there who clearly wants you. A woman who turnedmysexy ass down to wait around for you. Man up and go get her.”
“What if she doesn’t want me? What if I was just convenient?”
“Then at least you’ll know,” Amos grabbed his jacket from where it had fallen under the back of the couch. “Look, I’m not gonna pretend I’m some expert on relationships. Women don’t stick around for me. They like me fine for a night or two, but nobody wants to date me. But at least Itry. That’s more than you can say.”
I’d always thought Amos liked his life. He was always flirting with the ladies and following one home to her bed.
“I never knew you wanted to settle down, man,” I rumbled.
He ran a hand through his hair as he headed for the door. “I’m starting to feel like the last man standing at a party that ended hours ago. I’d give anything to find a woman to settle down with.”
He met my eyes, and for once there was no humor in his expression.
Then he added, “Don’t be an idiot and let her slip away just because you’re scared. Some of us would kill to have what you’ve got.”
He left without another word, the door clicking shut behind him.
I lifted the couch, pushing it upright again. Then sat in the silence of my empty cabin while Amos’s words echoed in my head.
He was right. I’d never felt this way about a woman before, and even if I wasn’t sure I deserved her, I was going to lethermake that decision. I needed to tell Cassidy what was in my heart.
Two minutes later I was in my truck heading down the mountain.
Chapter 15
Hall
The lights were on inside the RV.
But I found her around back, sitting cross-legged on the ground with an instruction manual spread across her lap and parts of a compound miter saw scattered around her like puzzle pieces. A work light cast harsh shadows across her face, highlighting the furrow between her brows as she squinted at the tiny diagrams.
Cassidy hadn’t heard me approach.
I just stood there for a moment, watching her. Taking her in.
