Page 113 of Every Beat of My Heart

“The kids talked to Mr. Elias and Mr. Miller. You should have heard them. They adore you.”

Pain crossed Jameson’s face. “I miss them.”

He helped me step into the stirrup, throw my leg over the back of the horse, and settle on the saddle. He grabbed the reigns and easily pulled himself behind me. He tucked a hand around my waist, pulling me against him. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Then he flicked the reigns, and the horse started off at a slow trot.

“Where are we going?” I asked him.

“You’ll see.”

My body was flush from his proximity. I wanted to know what it meant, but I didn’t want to rush him. I relaxed into his body, content to be held by him.

“You feel good in my arms,” Jameson said once we’d passed the fields where customers were hiking and the commotion of the farm itself.

My heart ached. Would this be the last time I’d be with him?

We traveled for a while before finally coming to a clearing. “This is it.”

He dismounted, then helped me to my feet. “It’s beautiful. But I don’t understand.”

“This is where I want to build a house.”

“You decided to build. Oh, Jameson, that’s wonderful.” I’d suspected that he held himself back from moving forward in certain areas of his life because he was under the mistaken belief that he wasn’t settled yet. That he didn’t know what he wanted. When he just needed to trust himself. I was so proud of him, but did he see me and Owen in his future?

Jameson drew in a breath. “The only thing is, it isn’t complete without you and Owen.”

My eyes filled with tears.

“I screwed up. I pushed you away when I should have leaned on you. Everything fell apart, and I panicked.”

“It was a shocking development. I don’t think either of us could have anticipated that a parent would go to such lengths to ensure his child got to play football.”

Jameson shook his head. “It wasn’t okay. I acted like someone who didn’t know what he wanted or who he was. I thought I was that guy who couldn’t make a decision. But I’m not. I like being a firefighter.”

I wanted to go to him, but I understood that he had to do this on his own.

“I also like to teach and coach.”

My heart ached for the pain I heard in his voice. “I’m so sorry that you lost your positions because of our relationship.”

“It felt right to be with you. What Brian did was wrong, and there was no way we could have anticipated that someone would have violated a private moment and exploited it.” Jameson seemed to gain momentum with each word spoken. “I could never regret what happened between us. I love you.”

Relief poured through me. “I love you too.”

“And I can’t promise I won’t screw up again, but I vow to notice when I’m being triggered and be more aware of my reaction. I want to be a better man for you.”

I moved to him then, placing a palm against his cheek. “You already are a good man.”

“You make me better.” Jameson rested his forehead on mine. “What do you say? Will you give me another chance?”

“I want to.”

“I want you and Owen in my life. I’m not saying we have to live together now. But I’m looking at the future, and I only see one with you in it.”

My chest filled with happiness. “I think Owen would love to live here on the farm, and I would too.” I adored his family, and I could see that Jameson lived for his. He wouldn’t be happy living anywhere else. It wasn’t a maturity thing. The farm and his family were in his blood.

He pulled me to him and kissed me. “I’m so sorry.”

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