Page 154 of We Redeemed the Rain

Tell her I’m coming. Lol

Me

I got to go into Comfort later. Maybe you can come with?

Bea

I’d love to.

Rain stayed light and felt nice. The droplets cooled my skin, soaked down the back of my shirt, and trickled down my arms. My hat kept the light rain from aggravating my vision. Drops fell from the rim, conveniently redirected from my face.

Thankfully, the repairs were muscle memory, so it wouldn’t take me too long. My mind immediately tapped out, honing in on Bea and the things I needed to say to her. A smile played at my lips.

I felt lighter today.

Writing some of my thoughts was difficult, a little triggering. But it was long overdue. Sitting down with paper muted the voices in my head. For the first time in years, I was able to hear my own. I was able to tune in to what I wanted and needed. The conflict was still there, but for now, it was background noise and I could live with that.

“Tag!”

My vision snapped toward the sound.

Bea was coming down the driveway to see me.

She didn’t wait for the rain to go away, she just came. If that wasn’t exactly like her, I didn’t know what was. She lifted her hand and waved wildly. Even from here, I could see the smile stretched across her face, uninhibited and free. She tossed her head back, opened her mouth, and took a spin in the rain.

Most people would’ve seen the rain and waited for better weather.But no, here she was, dancing in it. The queen of sunshine, her presence ushered in joy. Watching her walk through the weather like it was hers to command, I wondered how I’d ever been affected by rainy days. How I’d ever let them get me down.

I heard her laugh, and something torturous happened on my insides. My heart squeezed with love, my torso clenched with desire, and my eyes stung with gratefulness.

The woman floating down the driveway loved me.

And I loved her so much it hurt. My lungs worked double time at air, already feeling dizzy with need for her in my arms. There was so much I needed to say. So much I needed to do. For her. For me. For us together.

All this time, I’d worried about hurting her with my problems, but it was clear we were better, stronger together. She was happy with me. And I was healing with her.

Cooper was wrong.

I had no plans to ruin anyone’s life.

I watched her as she walked—almost skipping—toward me. Her shirt was wet and clinging to her skin. Her hair cascaded behind her in long, damp waves. Her nose and cheeks were pink with excitement. Her eyes and smile trained on me. She had the white outfit on.

Last night, I wrote a lot about desire—how new and sometimes scary it felt. My journey into physical love would be a winding road. But I wanted to take the first steps. I didn't want my past to keep me from touching the woman I loved. I wanted to try.

Right here, right now.

Wordlessly, she flew into my arms.

We wrapped our arms around each other. Over my shoulder, she said, “You sure you weren’t gone a month? It kind of feels like it.”

I chuckled. “It does. I missed you.”

She released me and backed away. “I missed you too. How was it?”

I gave her a rundown of the rodeo happenings, my descriptions the barest of bones. I didn’t want to talk about the horses. For the first time maybe ever, I didn’t care. The breeze pushed the rain and Bea blinked rapidly as drops landed on her lashes. I picked the hat up off my head, and plopped it on hers. She adjusted it, smiling.

I ran a hand through my hair, nervous and excited.

“What the—” She grabbed my left wrist and held it in the air.

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