Page 182 of We Redeemed the Rain

He enfolded me—violently crushed me into his chest, his strength supporting me as I sobbed against him. His arms were like thick bands around my back and waist, his hands open and moving. He swayed side to side, nestling his face in the crook of my neck. For long, glorious moments, we held each other, murmuring muffledI love yousinto each other’s shoulders.

Like slowly waking up, the sounds and presence of my family faded into my awareness enough for me to realize they were leaving.

The door knob softly clicked behind them.

Expecting Tag to let me go, I loosened my hold, but his arms pulled me tighter and his lips brushed over my neck. His gentle kiss on my tender skin there sent my heart racing, my reality tilting. But his hoarse whisper completely unraveled me. “Bea, I can’t even…” He buried his face again, his words warming my neck. “That was incredible.”

Tag leaned away, his hands cupping the sides of my face. His watery gray gaze found mine, his own nose lightly pink from tears. His eyes bounced from mine, to my hair, to my lips, my cheeks, my eyes again—drinking me in like he was dying of thirst. “Did you…” He swallowed, the moisture in his eyes pooling. “Did you write that album for me?”

“Yes.”

He blinked and a tear raced down. I didn’t swipe it away. That tear was the most precious thing I’d ever seen. I relished in what it meant—he heard me.

“Bea, I don’t even know—” His words choked off for a moment. “I don’t know if it’s possible to explain what—that meant to me.”

His thumbs swept over the curves of my cheeks, and he leaned his forehead against mine. He whispered again. “Thank you.”

“You gave me your heart and…I wanted to give you mine. I read your book three times. When I put it down, songs were bursting from my chest.”

He shook his head in disbelief. “Three times?”

“I didn’t want to miss a single word.” I reached up and touched his scruffy cheek, letting the back of my hand brush through the moist trails on his face. “Thank you for letting me in.”

“I can’t believe you created that album in a week. I’ve been back here bawlin’ my eyes out with your mom.”

I laughed, excess stress spinning down the drain, as I imagined Mom sharing her iconic Kleenex pack with Tag. Then in amazement, I wondered aloud. “You’rehere! With my family! How did you—why did you?—?”

“When you were at the cabin, I was tryin’ to get in touch with you. When I couldn’t get a call through, I got worried and called Peter. He invited me to this.”

“When do you have to go back?”

“My flight out is Monday.”

“Monday?!” I shrieked, clutching the front of his shirt and going to my tiptoes in excitement.

“Yeah.”

“Wait—the rodeo! Who’s taking the horses?”

“There isn’t a rodeo this weekend.”

“Oh!”

He swiped my hair behind my ears and settled his hands on my neck and shoulders, gently caressing everything he touched. “You spent three weeks shovelin’ manure with me. Until Monday, we’re doin’ whatever you want and goin’ wherever you want. Alright?”

“That sounds perfect.” My voice choked up all over again. “Where are you staying?”

“At Peter’s.”

I shook my head. “I’ve got a better idea. How do you feel about a drive into the mountains?”

“Whatever you want.”

A smile broke out on my face. “I want to take you to the cabin. We’ve got a lot to talk about. We can come back down on Sunday afternoon for lunch at my parents’ house. The whole family usuallyeats and hangs out. Until then…I just want it to be me and you. I want to sit, snuggle, get in the hot tub, and drink tea with honey.”

“Does your throat hurt? Your voice sounds scratchy.”

“It really does.”

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