Page 79 of In This Moment

Flinching, he shifted toward the voice.

Rebecca. Thank all the holy creatures. She stood off to the side of the courtyard, dressed for work in a blue sundress that matched her eyes and her laptop bag slung over her shoulder. The breeze caught wisps of her hair framing her face that had escaped her ponytail.

He hadn’t noticed her coming, and neither had Twain, but the doofus’s tail was wagging happily to see her. Graham’s would be, too, if he had one.

He tried to find his voice, but couldn’t. He could’ve wept at the sight of her and sheer relief.

She came closer, sitting on the other side of Twain, so the dog was between them. “You look like you’ve been rode hard and put up wet.”

He shook his head to clear it, but…nope. “What?”

Smiling, she turned in her seat to face him. “You look tired.”

“Oh. I didn’t sleep. At all. I texted and went by your place, but you weren’t there.” He wanted to touch her so badly, he had to fist his fingers to resist the urge. “I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry about yesterday.”

“Forgiven.”

Wait. Just like that?

And while he was on that thread, she seemed different. Happier. Content. As if the weight she’d been carrying around had been unburdened.

“Still, it wasn’t right. I knew, I knew you had nothing to do with Gunner’s offer, but…” He shook his head. Anything he said would sound like an excuse.

“But you’ve been burned before, were blindsided, and ever since, you’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

Expelling a hearty breath, he rubbed his eyes. “Yeah.” Leave it to her to understand the psychology behind his actions. For the past six months, it felt like he’d been walking on eggshells, biding his time until his last hope was dashed. “It doesn’t justify taking it out on you. I am sorry.”

“I know.” She petted the dog, staring ahead. “I’ve been thinking about Gunner’s visit. Maybe I should accept the position to—”

“No.” Bless her heart, but no. She obviously had no clue what had happened after she’d left, and he wasn’t certain how she’d take the news. “Gunner wasn’t offering you the editor position. He doesn’t want the newspaper. He was trying to unload it on us. As in, full ownership. That was his offer, he was merely gaging your reaction to scenarios to cement in his mind he was making the right call.”

“What?” Eyes round, she gawked at him. “He wants to hand over The Gazette, just like that?”

“Yup. Trust me, I was just as shocked. All this time, I thought he was waiting to shut it down or fire me. The papers are on my desk. Three drafts. One for both of us to sign, one for you if I don’t want it, and the last for me if you bow out.” Pausing, he waited for a reaction, but she just continued to stare at him in an adorable, dumbfounded manner. “What do you say? Want to go into business with me?”

Covering her face with her hand, she bowed her head and laughed. By the time she lifted her head, the laughter was near hysterics. “I’m as confused as a fart in a fan factory. You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Was that a no? Damn southernisms. “I’m not joking.”

“I know.” She fanned her face. “Whew. I know,” she repeated, sobering. “Our mayor sure knows how to bury a lead. Are you certain this is what you want? Small southern town. Lil ole newspaper.”

He’d never been more sure of anything in his life. “Yes.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Why does it sound like you’re trying to talk me out of it?”

“I’m not.” She shrugged, studying him. “I wouldn’t want you missing out on something bigger or better if it comes along.”

He nodded, finally understanding. “It took me awhile to figure this out, but I’m where I’m supposed to be. There’s nothing bigger than co-owning our own newspaper and intimately knowing the people who read it. Faces we pass everyday and who are part of a community. And there is nothing better than you.”

Straightening, she pressed a hand over her heart. “Aw, if that isn’t the sweetest—”

“I love you.” No sense in beating around the bush.

Her perfect pink lips parted, and those big blue eyes widened.

“I do. I love you. That has no bearing on my decision for the newspaper. Hell, if Gunner had fired me, I’d find something else. Maybe put my bid in the race for his job next term. I don’t know. Start a lawncare business. Moot point, but I love you. From the lilt in your voice when you drop your guard to the way you wrinkle your nose when embarrassed. You’re the most selfless person I’ve ever met. You’re funny, clever, and brave. I mean, you’re sexy, too, which doesn’t hurt.”

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