Page 124 of The Wayward Son

Jade nodded. “Well, I can admit now I was mad because I wanted Sawyer to take me. But he’d already asked Melissa.”

“Melissa was all wrong for him.”

“I know. Right?” She glanced at Jake. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I finally get what I’ve wanted since I was twelve and I blow it.”

“You probably haven’t blown it yet.”

“Not for lack of trying.” She turned in her seat and looked at him. “Why am I like this? Why can’t I accept that this very nice, respectful, funny, and extremely hot guy wants to be with me? Me. Skittles Emmerson. The weird girl with short black hair hiding under a hoodie.”

He patted her knee. “You’re not Skittles anymore. And you were never weird. You were…reclusive.”

Jade laughed. “Always the diplomat.”

“Only you can answer those questions, Jade. But if part of your reluctance is fear of him coming to his senses and leaving you. I’m pretty sure that’s one thing you don’t need to worry about. Sawyer’s in it for the long haul. Or he would be if you let him.”

She sighed. “I don’t know if I can be what he wants me to be.”

“Sawyer just wants you to be you. It’s you he loves. You and your reclusive past. Along with the new mature remarkable woman you’ve become. You walked through fire, Jade. And you came out on the other side stronger for it.”

“I’m not sure my two years with Seth says much for my strength.”

Jake nodded. “That was a bit of a misstep. But we all make them.”

“I don’t think you ever have.”

“Me? No, of course not. I’m perfect.”

“You know, I think of you and Jacob as my father and grandfather.”

“I know. And we feel the same about you. You’re part of the family, Jade. You always have been. No one is going to have a problem with you and Sawyer stepping up your relationship.”

“Not even Sage?”

“Not even Sage.”

She shook her head. “I need to stop being an idiot.”

“Hmm. I think it’s about time.” He stood. “I’ve got horses wondering where their breakfast is.”

Jade got to her feet. “Do you need help?”

“No. I’m almost done.”

They headed for the barn and as they got close, Jade stopped. “What’s that sound?”

Jake listened for a moment. “That would be Sawyer working off some frustration in the weight room.”

“Oh my gosh. Should I go in there?”

“No. I think it’d be best to let him be for a while.”

They continued to the front of the barn, then Jade hugged Jake. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

He walked her to her car. “Go home and do some thinking.”

She nodded. “I will.”

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