Page 86 of Just Say When

Come get your husband.

I didn’t hesitate to do exactly that. I hit the directions button and followed the path out of the barn, past the main house, and down the trail to Brax’s cabin. I found him sitting on the front stoop, a roll of papers in his hand.

He pushed to his feet when he saw me coming, relief washing over his face. “Essie.”

He said my name like it was the answer to everything. Suddenly waiting even five seconds longer to touch him was too much. I sprinted the last few yards and launched myself into hisarms. He caught me, one arm banding around my waist, crushing the roll of papers against my back, and his other hand cupping the back of my head.

“I’m sorry, Essie. I’m so fucking sorry,” he murmured against my temple.

I sniffled against his shirt. It was ridiculous how often this man moved me to tears. Good tears, at least. “You can’t leave me like that, Brax. I need to know you’re coming back.”

“I’malwayscoming back. I just…I didn’t want to talk about what happened until I had fixed it. That’s what I was doing. I went to my office to figure it out, and I think I have the solution.” He let go of me and smoothed out the crinkled papers.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, genuinely confused.

“Alan Gaffney.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Ugh. I hate that guy.”

“So let’s sue him.” Brax laid out his plan. “I think we have a damn good civil case. No judge worth her robes is going to think you should have a physically abusive business partner. It’s a risk, but I have the feeling he won’t even want to go to court. It’s too expensive. Us buying him out will be the best option, especially if you agree not to press criminal charges.”

I looked over the papers, then set them aside, chewing my lip.

“I know you can handle him yourself, but youshouldn’t have to. You’re the most stubborn, competent, amazing person I know, and I love you. You told me you don’t want me fighting your battles for you, and I get that. I do. But, here’s the thing, hellion.” He tipped my chin to look at him. “They’re notyourbattles anymore. They’re ours.”

I swallowed hard. God, this man. “My mom had to give up everything to raise me and my brother. My dad gave up literally nothing. I don’t know how to find the middle ground between those two extremes, you know? I’m scared I’ll ask for too much.”

“There’s no such thing as too much when it comes to you, Essie. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I’ll find a way to become enough. It’s not even hard. I’ve been doing it since the day I met you. Whatever you needed, that’s what I became. You needed a barn, I learned how to build one. Your mom needed a lawyer, I made that happen. You stole a horse, so I bought it for you. And you know what? I love my career. I love that damn horse. You’ve made my life better in every possible way. You mademebetter.”

“Brax,” I whispered. My hands twisted in his shirt. My heart lodged in my throat.

“I know you’re not weak, Essie. I never thought you were. That’s not why—” His voice thickened, choked. “I love you. That’s all. You couldn’t ask for a single thing that would change that. I’m not that fragile, and neither is my love. Tag me in, hellion. Let me help you.”

I stared up at him, this man I loved with all my savage, bruised heart. “All right. Sue the shit out him. But, Brax, this goes both ways. If you’re my person, then I’m yours. Your battles are mine. I’m the one you call.”

He grimaced, his gaze shifting away from me. “How about you’re my person unless I’m being a colossal dumbass? I fucked up last night. I should have walked away from Alan, and I knew better. You don’t need to clean up my messes.”

“I don’t agree to that at all.” My head tipped back and I stared at him with all the love I felt blazing in my eyes. “It would be the honor of my life to stand shoulder to shoulder with you when you’re being a dumbass. It would be the honor of my life to be the one you call to bail you out when you took something a little too far. Because that’s what love is. It’s big and messy and doesn’t follow rules. And you, Braxton Hale, are the love of my life.”

For a moment he just looked at me, his jaw ticking and his eyes suspiciously damp. Then his throat worked as he swallowed. “All right, hellion,” he said gruffly. “You’ve got a deal.”

I smiled as he bent down to kiss me.

Because I planned to make good on that bargain for the rest of our lives.

35

Brax

Essie:

Laundry day! I’m down to one clean pair of pants. Guess I’ll be wearing leggings today. Anything you want me to throw in the wash?

Brax:

A couple pair of jeans in the bin. Thanks.

Wait, you’re wearing leggings?

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