I roll my eyes and have a seat on the couch, pulling my knees up to my chest.
Me
I appreciate you looking out for me, but he’s different with me. Not as closed off…
Lennon
Isn’t that what they all say?? You can fix them?
Bile rises up in my throat as I think about what she’s saying. Those are famous last words. All women think they can fix the man they want to be with.
Me
There’s nothing to fix. He lives his life the way he likes to live it. Really no different than me.
It’s defensive, and I know it. It’s exposing the fact that I’ve been infatuated with this man since I helped Truett.
Lennon
I get it. You’ve got a thing for him. Hell, I even understand it. He was nice when he came to get your bag, and he isn’t hard on the eyes. I just want to make sure that you realize your heart is the one on the line here. You care about people fully and immediately. Are you sure that Devlin is the person you want to stake your heart on?
She’s right to be asking. I had a bad experience when I was sixteen. I trusted a much older man that I never should have. Living with the parents we had will do that to you. You’ll look atany man who gives you a little bit of attention as the man who can save you. I learned early, and that lesson has followed me.
Me
I’m okay, Len. I trust him. Maybe I shouldn’t, but I do. I’m going into this with my eyes and heart wide open this time. I promise. I’m a big girl, and I can handle this.
Lennon
Okay, I love you. You know I’ll be out there as soon as you let me know you need me, to come get you. I worry. I know you’re an adult, I get it, but I’m always going to worry about you.
Me
I know.
When I hear a vehicle coming up the driveway, I look out, my stomach doing a flip when I see that it’s Devlin.
Me
He’s here, I’m going to talk to him, but if I need anyone, and I do mean anyone, you’ll be the first one I call.
It’s stupid how excited I am to see this man. I never saw myself as the type of woman who would go watch as her significant other came home from a long day at work. But here I am, getting up and walking out to the porch. It was dark when we came in last night, and I wasn’t able to look around and see what the outside was like. Now, my gaze goes past where Devlin has parked his truck and to the main house at the ranch. Although it’s several hundred feet from this house, I can imagine how grand it was back in its heyday. It’s seen better days, judgingby the peeling paint on the outside, but there are a few signs that it’s being worked on.
In the backyard, there are brand new boards and what looks to be roofing material.
They’re probably hoping to get it going before the first snow hits. Although it’s warm during the day right now, it won’t be long until it’s really cold at night. Then, not long after, it’ll be freezing.
But that’s not happening right now, and my attention goes back to Devlin. I’ve never been the type of girl who thought she’d be with a man who wore a suit or a tie, but there wasn’t a part of me who wondered if I’d be with a man who wore a pair of boots and a dirty flannel shirt either. For a long time, I thought I’d be by myself. Just like everything else, though, things can change.
Which is why I’m watching as Devlin gets out of his truck. One dirty boot hits the dusty ground before the other. Jeans show his day of work in the dirt on the knees and thighs. His flannel sleeves are rolled up past his elbows, with his tattoos on display. It’s all hot as fuck, and I find myself almost drooling as I watch his loose-legged stride head toward the house.
“You okay?” he barks out as he takes the steps two at a time.
“Yeah, yeah,” I say as I push my hair back behind my ear. “I wanted to come out and see you. I heard your truck coming down the driveway.”
“How’d you know it was me? It could’ve been someone else. Someone who was with the guy who robbed you at the pharmacy. Be careful, Atlee.” His tone is sharp. I’m not prepared for it, so I flinch and close my eyes, counting to five. “Hell,” he growls. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.” I hold up my hand. “You’re right. I should’ve been more careful.” Backing up, I hit the door. When I shrink into the doorway, he lifts his arm, putting his forearmabove my head. Swallowing roughly, my eyes meet his, and that pull between us is there like it’s been since the moment we met.
