While she’s not wrong, I still just want the two of us to be with one another. I’ve never been so obsessed with someone. I thought about her all day today while I was working, wondering how she was doing. I even texted her, but because of where we were, the text didn’t go through, which is probably for the best. “Probably not, but we only have to answer to ourselves, right?”
“True. Thank you for today, Devlin. Hell, thank you for everything.”
Did she think I’d be anywhere else? “There’s no other place I’d rather fuckin’ be, Atlee. For some reason, the two of us met each other, and you were pushed into my life. I’m not about to let shit go just because it got hard. That’s not who I am.”
“And thank God for that.”
I put the truck in drive and pull away from the curb, stealing glances at her as she settles into the passenger seat. Relief washes over me seeing her so relaxed. All day, my mind had been creating worst-case scenarios—her breaking down, having a panic attack, or worse, the guy who’d hurt her somehow showing up.
“So how was it really?” I ask, keeping my voice casual. “And don’t bullshit me. I want to know.”
She sighs, looking out the window. “It was hard at first. Walking through that door…I thought I might throw up. But everyone was so kind. Joseph rearranged the whole pharmacy section so it wouldn’t look the same, and Payton kept things light, which helped.”
“And the customers?”
“Some were awkward. Most were nice. A few pretended nothing happened, which was actually kind of a relief.” She turns to look at me, those blue eyes of hers catching the late afternoon light. “Oh, and I saw Deputy Noah Sanchez watching you this morning when you dropped me off.”
My hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Watching me?”
“Yeah, he was across the street. Didn’t even look at me, just had his eyes on you the entire time. It was weird.”
Shit. That’s not good. Noah has been poking around the ranch lately, asking too many questions. I keep my face neutral, not wanting to worry her. “Probably nothing. He’s always been nosy.”
“Maybe,” she says, but I can tell she’s not convinced. “Anyway, I just thought you should know.”
“Thanks,” I say, reaching over to take her hand. “I appreciate you looking out for me.”
She squeezes my fingers. “Well, it goes both ways, right?”
“Right.” I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss against her knuckles. “Always.”
As we drive toward the ranch, she tells me more about her day. I listen, asking questions when appropriate, but mostly just letting her talk. She seems lighter with each mile we cover, the tension easing from her shoulders.
“So…this dinner,” she says as we turn onto the long driveway that leads to the main house. “Will it be formal? I’m still in my work clothes.”
I glance at her scrubs. “You’re fine. It’s just Jesse and Aubree. Besides, nothing at the ranch is ever formal. We’re lucky if Jesse remembers to take his boots off before coming in the house.”
That gets a laugh out of her, which was my goal. The sound of it warms something inside me. I’ve never been the type of man who needs to make a woman laugh, but with Atlee, I find myself wanting to hear that sound as often as possible.
The main house comes into view, a large two-story structure that’s seen better days. Parts of the exterior are being renovated, with new boards replacing rotted ones and fresh paint covering the peeling old layer. It’s a work in progress, much like everything else at Grizzly River Ranch.
“I forget how beautiful this place is,” Atlee murmurs, taking in the sprawling property. “Even with all the work it needs.”
“It’ll get there,” I tell her. “Truett and Aubree are determined to restore it to its former glory. Just takes time and money, neither of which we have in abundance.”
I park near the front porch, cutting the engine. Before I can come around to her side, Atlee is already out of the truck, stretching her arms above her head. The movement pulls her scrub top up slightly, revealing a sliver of skin at her waist. My mouth goes dry at the sight.
“You ready?” I ask, my voice rougher than I intended.
She nods, dropping her arms. “Lead the way, cowboy.”
We don’t even make it to the front door before it swings open, revealing Aubree with her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing jeans and a flannel that probably belongs to my brother.
“You made it!” she exclaims, stepping forward to envelop Atlee in a hug. “I’m so glad you could come.”
Atlee returns the hug, a genuine smile crossing her face. “Thanks for having us.”
Aubree pulls back, looking Atlee over with a critical eye. “You look good. How was today?”
