Page 56 of Westin

Before she can protest, I get to my feet and strip my dirty clothes. She lets me pick her up and carry her back into the lukewarm water, and she melts into my arms while I wash her clean.

“You’re coming home with me, Diane,” I say quietly. She’s not going back to that house where David can put his hands on her again.

I turn her around, gathering her hair. It’s tangled with mud and brambles. Gently, I start working the little sticks and leaves from it.

“You hear me?”

She nods, releasing a slow sigh. “I hear you.”

“I want you to go get your things and meet me on the hill tonight,” I say.

She glances back, eyes huge. “You want that?”

I pull her back against me. Her soft ass nestles against my groin beneath the water, and her head falls back into my chest.

“I think I meant to take you home for good that first time we met,” I say, meaning every word.

She inhales sharply and holds it. Then, she whirls, eyes narrowed.

“Do you mean that, Westin Quinn?” she demands.

“I swear it.”

I’ve been unsure of a lot in my life, but I’m dead sure Diane Carter is mine. And if I’m so sure, what’s the point in waiting?

“I mean to marry you,” I say.

She’s shocked, her eyes roving over me as she tries to gather herself. Then, her shoulders straighten.

“Okay, fine.”

“Good,” I say. “You’ll be my wife. I’ll take you to the courthouse, and it won’t matter if I wear a condom or not. You can have as many babies as you want.”

Her dark eyes narrow. She’s thinking so hard, she’s chewing open the scab on her lip. I take her chin in my hands and kiss her forehead.

“You’re my business now,” I say.

“Fine,” she whispers again.

What’s holding her back? There’s something in her eyes that bothers me. She’s not good at being vulnerable, and I can tell there’s something going on that she’s not sharing. It’s the reason she keeps pushing me away.

“What is it?” I press.

She shakes her head. “Do you love me enough that you can handle baggage?”

I nod. “I can handle bullshit, Diane. That doesn’t scare me.”

“Okay, I’m worried we might lose the farm if I go with you,” she blurts out.

“Why?”

“Because they’re building a highway west of Carter Farms,” she says, her voice catching. “The city councilman, Corbin Buchanan, istrying to run a big access road right through our farm, right where my parents and Nana are buried. He’s a cousin to the Garrisons, so David thinks if I get in good with them, they’ll be willing to stop him.”

I turn this over in my head. I knew about the highway west of Carter Farms, but I didn’t know about the access road. That land has been in the Carter family for decades. I know Diane will do anything to keep it preserved.

I get it. Both Sovereign and I put our blood, sweat, and tears into our ranch. The land means everything to us.

“Truthfully, Diane, I don’t have the kind of cash to buy property. All my shit is tied up in property and investments. Let me talk to Sovereign,” I say. “He might be able to help sway the councilman.”

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