Page 33 of All Because I Found You

“You’re upset, and I’m told my hugs can instantly make people feel better.”

“I’m not upset.”

“Shut up and take in the comfort.”

She didn’t let go, just continued holding him. Her scent was overpowering, yet he wanted more. He leaned in, grazing his nose along the crook of her neck, and inhaled.

“Did you just sniff me? Oh God, do I smell? I swear I put deodorant on, but this heat and humidity is a battle I’m not sure my deodorant can handle.” Her hands slid down his sides, and she stepped away. He couldn’t help the laugh that escaped his mouth as she lifted her arm and did a quick sniff.

“You smell fine,” he said. More like amazing. Mouth-watering. So good in fact, he wanted to know if she tasted just as good. He imagined she did.

“Oh.” She grabbed her chest. “That’s a relief.” Then her fingers were reaching out, taking hold of his hand. “I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s fine,” he spat.

She shook her head, and there was a self-deprecating stubbornness about it. “No, it’s not, and you shouldn’t pretend that it is. I have no idea what that conjured up inside you, but I know whatever it was, it wasn’t good.”

No, it wasn’t. Flashbacks to that dreaded night had flooded his mind—flashbacks that had haunted him every time he closed his eyes for years, and for that split second they returned. Visions of Raelyn gasping for air as her windpipe was crushed just like his sisters had been had filled his mind. Blood smeared across her face, so much blood, he didn’t know where it was coming from, just like Dad. It wasn’t just the vision, either. It was the scream that reverberated in his head, so reminiscent of Mom’s when the other car veered out of their lane and came straight at them.

His chest rose and fell with his inhale. “Don’t do it again,” he snapped and turned away from her, breaking free of her hold. If he didn’t, the fear and panic would swirl into something he could no longer hold back.

He’d been suppressing his feelings and emotions for so long, it’d become second nature to him, but for some reason, Raelyn brought them to the surface.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been hugged other than at the funerals. Had it really been eleven years since he’d embraced someone? It’d been even longer since he allowed himself to be vulnerable in front of someone, and there was no way he was going to start now.

He nodded toward the barrel on the ground and the others still in the truck. “Where do you want them?”

Her lips parted like she wanted to say something but snapped shut as if she thought better of it. She pointed toward the barn. “Two outside the door and the rest inside. I’m going to use a few as a makeshift table for décor, for—”

“I don’t care what the hell you do with them. I just want them out of my truck.”

“Oh okay, sticking with the Grumpy McGrumpster persona today. Got it. Just get them out of the truck and in the barn, and I can take it from there.”

“They’re heavy and once again you’re not wearing sensible shoes.” His gaze darted to the impractical shoes she was wearing.

“I have sneakers in the car.”

“Why not just wear them?”

“I have a meeting in a couple hours with a potential client.”

“Whatever.” The truck squeaked under Ryder’s weight, and he started to unload the rest of the barrels.

“You have no idea how much money and time you’re saving me. Now I don’t have to go track down available barrels to rent.”

“Like I said, they were just sitting in a shed.”

“You do realize this is another reason why this barn would be the perfect venue in Morgan’s Bay. You don’t need to spend much on anything, and you have everything you need to get started.

“No.” He was perfectly content with the farms and the farm stand. He didn’t need to add on another business venture. Besides, a venue brought people closer to his home when he was trying to avoid as many people as possible. It was never going to happen.

“What are you going to do with the barrels when I’m done with them?” she asked as he jumped down onto the ground, his feet hitting with a thud.

“They’re going to the lady in white’s house.”

She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head. “I seriously never should have mentioned that.”

He was happy she did. It was great ammunition to throw at her.

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