“It was pretty obvious he wanted a clean break.” She shook her head, the memory of that bombshell hitting her anew. “I thought we wanted the same things—marriage, a couple of kids, a life here in Riverbend. But in hindsight I can see he’d left some clues. He made offhand references to living elsewhere. Often remarked that there wasn’t much to do around here.”
“I guess that’s true if you’re not the outdoors type.”
“I just believed what I wanted to believe.”
“We do that sometimes.”
“Well, now I know that’s something I need to be mindful of.”
“Which brings us tous.” He set his plate aside and met her gaze. “Given what you’ve been through with Vince, I must seem like a big risk. I’m a thirty-four-year-old man without real friends or family.” He slid her a smile. “Or furniture.”
“That thought does occur. You don’t have roots anywhere. How has that worked for you in the past? I can’t imagine your mobile lifestyle is conducive to long-term relationships.”
“My relationships have been short term and, until now, not very risky.”
Risky.She considered a relationship with him chancy, but she didn’t realize he also thought of her that way. “Interesting choice of words.”
“Real feelings are always a risk, aren’t they? Nobody likes to get hurt.”
Fair point. “So you haven’t had any long-term relationships?”
His eyes softened as he regarded her for a long moment. “I haven’t been with anyone who tempted me to.”
Her insides gave a squeeze. “A very nice way of putting it.”
“It’s the truth. This relationship would be a risk for both of us. I guess the question is, are we willing to take it?”
She thought back to Vince and his abrupt departure. Thought of her growing feelings for Gunner. It would hurt even if he left today. She was already in that deep. “I have to ask—how committed are you to an itinerant lifestyle? Would you ever consider settling down in one place—specifically, Riverbend?”
“I’ve been thinking about that a lot since last night.” He gave a sheepish smile. “Longer, if I’m honest. It’s the reason I was already awake when my alarm went off this morning.”
“I’m glad I’m not the only one who couldn’t sleep.”
***
Gunner couldn’t drag his gaze from Charlotte’s beautiful face. The afternoon sunlight broke through in spots, glistening like sparks of fire in her hair. This was not an easy conversation. They were each vulnerable in different ways. But he appreciated her honesty and owed her thoughtful, candid answers.
Her question was a fair one. “I love your ranch. I love working here. It’s peaceful and offers plenty of challenge. Riverbend seems like a great community.”
“You’ve already made friends.”
“And that’s not really typical for me.” Wes and Gavin in particular were fun to hang with, and there was a depth to them he appreciated. They both had roots here—Gavin’s deep and Wes’s new but growing strong. Gunner could envision long-term friendships and community here in Riverbend. Was that what he wanted? His chest tightened at the thought. Caring about people only to lose them wasn’t high on his list of priorities.
“Why do you think that is?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Because I’m always aware I’ll bemoving on. Why go out of my way to develop friendships that won’t last? I make acquaintances, of course. Have amiable relationships with coworkers.”
“So Riverbend has been different for you.”
“In lots of ways.” Starting with Charlotte. Maybe it was time for him to settle down. He wasn’t a young man anymore.
But he wasn’t sure he could be fulfilled staying in one place. He’d never experienced a real home as an adult. What if he got bored? What if he felt trapped? As much as he wanted a relationship with Charlotte, he had to be honest about that, with himself and with her.
He met her gaze and was immediately drawn into her expressive eyes. He and Charlotte had become closer somehow, as if pulled together by some invisible magnet. He could simply lean forward and kiss her. She was tempting, gazing at him that way. She wanted to pursue this relationship as badly as he did. “This is a new experience for me. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I’m wild about you, Charlie.”
Her features softened. “I feel the same.”
Her face and body language stated that clearly enough. But the words made his heart buck. She turned his world on end. He had to see where this thing led, because how could he not?
