“Tess, please my dear.You’re welcome.There is a spare bedroom if need be.”
“Willow will be staying with me,” Hunter said.
Willow hugged his words closely to her heart.It wasn’t an everything-was-okay kinda sentence, but it was something.Willow turned to Hunter’s dad.“Thanks, Mr.Grant…”
“And I’m Harlan, please.Both of you look ready to drop.Take her to your cabin, Son.”
Muttering under his breath, Hunter took her arm.
They walked a short distance to a tiny cabin.Hunter hurried along, she was struggling to keep up and couldn’t see much else.Within minutes, she would know whether she was staying or driving back to the airport.
Opening the door to the cabin, he waited for her to step inside.Her eyes immediately fell on the paintings she’d made of him.All three were leaning against the wall.
“You really did buy the paintings,” she murmured.“Gary told me, but I couldn’t quite believe it.”
He didn’t answer, just closed the door behind him and leaned against it.
Her legs were kind of rubbery, so she looked around for a place to sit.It was really small with just a small kitchen, a couch, and a bed.She chose the bed and sat down, facing him.
“Why are you here, Willow?”
“I told you…”
“No, you haven’t.”His eyes were hooded, not giving anything away.
“I love you.”
“And I love you, but days ago it wasn’t enough.”
“I was scared.”
“And now?”
“I’m more afraid of never being with you again.Jade was the one who made me aware that I’ve used my sixth sense as an excuse because I’ve been so petrified of getting hurt again.”
For another moment he stared at her.“I need a shower.”Pulling his shirt from his jeans, he walked toward a door in the corner of the cabin.He didn’t close it behind him and within seconds, the sound of water falling reached her.
Jumping up, she walked to the front door.She’d give it one more shot.If it didn’t work, there was only one thing for her to do—leave.The bag with the few things she’d bought at the airport was still in the car, though.
As she opened the door, she saw the bag on the stoop.Someone, probably Jade had left it outside the front door.Grabbing the bag, she moved back inside.Quickly, she undressed.Buck naked, she walked toward the bathroom, her blood rushing so loudly through her veins, she couldn’t hear anything else.
*
Pressing his handsagainst the tiles in the shower, Hunter dropped his head.Willow was here, in Colorado, in his room.She’d flown all the way from Montana today to see him.He wanted so badly to believe this time nothing would keep them apart, but even though he’d mentioned having a long-distance relationship first, he wasn’t sure how it would work.He wasn’t sure whether he’d survive being without her, even for a short period of time.
A soft sound behind him was the only warning before warm curves pressed against his body and Willow slipped her arms around him.He responded like a starving man.With a groan her turned around and caught her close to him arms.“I’ve missed you,” was all he managed before his mouth met hers in a searing kiss.As he sipped from her lips, the deep sadness of the previous few days vanished and was replaced by sheer joy.
Lifting his head, he cupped her face.“I love you and I want to be with you, but I don’t know if I’ll survive you leaving me again.”
“We’ll find a way,” she said, bending down to trail her lips over his chest.“But can we talk later?Right now, I’m in the shower with a hot cowboy and have more important things to do.”
“I like the sound of that.Kiss me?It’s all I’ve been thinking about…”
Her mouth was on his before he could finish his sentence.
*
A week later,Willow was back in her house on the Weston ranch, unpacking the few things she’d bought at the airport.She’d tried to keep the tears at bay when she’d left Hunter, but from the moment she’d driven away from their ranch, she’d cried ugly tears all the way to the airport.
