Page 96 of Full Send

He pauses for a second before speaking. “V. Calm down. It’s going to be ok. Get some rest today, we’ll get you back out here. Please, just don’t leave yet. You’re exhausted and-"

Nope. Fuck this. I can’t bear another second without him.

Screw flying, I’m leaving now.

I need to see him. I need to be with him. “I’m leaving Collin. I’ll put you on speaker in the car.”

I throw the knife roll into the open bag and hastily zip it shut. I walk out the door, locking it behind me before frantically rushing to my car in the driveway.

I throw the bag in my trunk before getting in the driver seat. God, I just want to be back in Wyoming. Back with him. Back in my safe place.

I start to back down my driveway when I look in my rearview mirror. God fucking damnit. Of course my delivery shows up now, blocking my driveway, parked practically inches from my car.

No one is fucking slowing me down from getting back to Tanner. No one.

I throw the door of my car open, trembling with rage ready to ruin this delivery driver’s day if they don’t get out of my way.

They’re getting out of the delivery van, still behind their door as I step in their direction. Fuck. I can’t wait to never see this toxic place again. I walk out the doors into the cool winter air with the warm sun on my face, feeling like a new me.

I feel my heart stop. My legs no longer working as the driver turns around.

It’s not a delivery van. It’s a Sprinter van. A slate gray Sprinter van.

It’shim.

Here.

Over a thousand miles away from Jackson. In my driveway.

My rugged mountain of a man, Tanner.

“I’m sorry, Ronni. I just ha-,” he starts to talk, Rex hopping out to be by his side.

I take the last hurried steps to him and collapse into his broad chest, holding him close. His scent, that familiar earthy leather and pine, surrounds me. His warmth, the sound of his heart beating in his chest, all of it making me feel safe and at home. I never want to let go of him again.

“Why did you come?” I manage to say through my sniffles, the tears slowing down. “How did you get here so fast?”

“I’m an idiot, Ronni. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I know you work hard, I know your career is important to you. I didn’t mean to upset you or insult you. I hated seeing you like that though. I should have just been there to help you, however you needed it. I just need you to know thatI love you. That I’ll do anything to be with you. That I do trust you and you can trust that I’ll always be here for you, that I’ll always fight for us. Even it means driving twenty-four hours straight with Rex to come make sure you’re ok.”

His deep voice brings so much reassurance. It’s only been two days since I last heard it and I still didn’t realize how much I missed it.

“Well, I appreciate that Tanner. You’re right, you were an ass,” I say, one side of my mouth starting to form a smile as I sniffle. “But also, you were right about my job. I don’t need that place. I don’t need to keep things in my life that bring me down. I need the things that lift me up and make me better, like you.”

“What are you saying?” he asks, tilting my face towards his, those evergreen forests peering into my soul with a questioning look.

“I quit today. Can we please just go back to Wyoming?”

Chapter 49

Tanner

Along for the Ride

Her hazel eyes are gorgeous, even with tears in them. I could stare into them and never get tired of the way they make me feel. Like she really can see me.

Looking into them now though, I’ve never been more surprised or impressed.

“Really? You quit?” I say, holding her cheek in my palm and I can feel my jaw slowly drop before I start to smile. I’m stunned, but I’ve also never been prouder of her. Even past the tears, I can see her confidence in herself growing.

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