Page 38 of Love Me Fearless

She inhales a shaky breath and looks away. “You don’t think that would have made things harder?”

“Maybe.” I take a step toward her and offer my hand. To my relief, she takes it, and lets me tug her into an embrace.

“I miss you,” she whispers into my shoulder. “I miss the way we used to be.”

Fuck, do I miss it too. “We’re here now,” I say, because isn’t now all we ever have? Something I remember her saying that night, before that kiss she gave me on the dock, the one that changed everything. Changedus.

She releases a soft sigh, then steps back. “Are you going to be okay tonight?”

“Doubtful.” Especially after holding her like that. I arch an eyebrow. “Any chance you’d like to help?”

She throws her head back and laughs. Then she turns on her heel and glances over her shoulder, leveling me with a no-nonsense glare. “You can see yourself out.”

Do I feast my eyes on her sensational ass and the swing of her ponytail as she saunters away? Hell yes, and I’m not one bit sorry.

Once she’s out of sight, I double check the sliding glass door, all the windows, and at the front door, I give it a quick inspection for tampering before I twist the lock and step into the night. It kills me to leave, knowing she’s all by herself.

Especially if she’s wrong, and someone was here tonight.

Chapter Ten

When I arriveat Moonbeam Farm, light from inside the kitchen casts a pale glow over the yard. I pause, imagining Hutch making breakfast in the kitchen that always felt too small for him.

I’m sure if I went inside, it would look the same as it did back then. Same faded couch with the quilt folded over the back. Same family pictures on the walls. Same dining room table stacked with various farm equipment, boxes of canning jars, equine supplements, and unpaid bills.

Same feelings I’ve kept locked inside my heart for so long.

I let mine down too. Last night, I lay awake with this twisting through my mind. I didn’t know Hutchhada guard. What does it mean that he let it down for me?

Laughing with him reminded me of how good things used to be between us. The easy friendship we shared.

Then he had to drop that little invitation to be his distraction last night.

Asshole.

Are we ever going to find our way?

By the time I feed and refresh the water for the six boardinghorses, the sun’s long rays are peeking over the Bitterroots. The grind of a tractor engine rises from below. Squinting, I make out Hutch’s broad shoulders and the silhouette of his baseball cap.

When we were growing up, seeing him work the land or tending to the animals would turn my insides to mush. Even though he made it clear farm life wasn’t for him, he looks awfully fuckable doing it.

Inside the barn, I nearly crash into Beth carrying a saddle toward a horse waiting in crossties at the end.

“Morning,” I say, glancing into the first stall, which belongs to Otis, Louisa’s horse. He’s munching on his breakfast and the stall’s been cleaned. So have the other three.

I continue to where Beth is busy with saddling. “Anything else I can help with this morning?”

“No, thanks.” Beth tightens the cinch strap, making her horse grunt.

“Where do you ride from here?”

“Stone Creek Road has Miner Prairie trail access,” she says, releasing the left stirrup.

“Can I come?” Louisadidask me to ride Otis, and on Fridays I have an extra hour in the morning.

Beth ducks under Taffy’s neck to whip the right stirrup down. “Think you can you keep up?”

I let this little rebuke roll off me. “I’ll make you a deal. If I can’t, I’ll turn back.”

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