Page 3 of Marking Micah

“Okay, then. I’ll give Derek a call tomorrow and see what he says. I feel pretty certain he’ll be fine with it. Then we just need to find a good time for you to be away from work.”

“I haven’t really taken any time off since… since I went back to work at the salon. Pretty sure Gina won’t mind. She’s been telling me I could use a vacation.”

“Your boss isn’t wrong about that.”

“The two of you—and Chara—are going to grandma me to death about self-care, aren’t you?”

“We all just want what’s best for you, sunshine,” he said, reaching out to push a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, making her shiver. “And I feel like this could be helpful. Can you take two or three weeks off?”

“Two or three weeks?”

“You said Gina wouldn’t mind,” he reminded her.

“I-I don’t know. Maybe? I guess? Even two weeks feels like a really long time.”

“Yeah, I can see that. But I think you’re just not used to doing anything nice for yourself.”

She shrugged. “You’re probably right about that.”

“Yep, I’m certain I am. And if we’re gonna work on helping you move past what you’ve gone through, it’s going to take some time. It’s not something we can rush. And honestly, I’d love to have a month with you out there, but I know that’s asking too much, especially since you haven’t even seen the place yet. But, Micah, I do think this could help you. I know you’ve been in therapy, and to that trauma group?—”

“Which I hated.”

“Yeah, groups don’t work well for everyone. And I get it. You know I do, given what I’ve been through myself.” He looked down at her, concern in his dark eyes and a small frown on his face.

“I know, Arrow. And I really do appreciate you caring enough to do this for me. It does sound like it’ll be peaceful, and you said it’s totally kink-friendly, but I guess I’m unsure about how you think being in Montana will help otherwise?”

He took her hand, sending tiny electric jolts through her system, like heat lighting her up on the inside.

“You know I was pretty wrecked when I left the military. Honestly, I was fucking destroyed. My fifteen year career was over. I’d just made Major the year before. The injuries I came back from Afghanistan with took everything away from me—being able to watch over the men and women I commanded. The concept of what my future would look like. It took a huge chunk of who I was and how I looked at myself. It took my whole life from me. Or so I thought. But after I got out of the hospital and was home and on my feet again, one of the things that helped was doing horse therapy at my Uncle James’ ranch with my occupational therapist. I’d really like to try that with you. That, and being in a place with no distractions, no daily life stuff to worry about, and especially without this place in your face, which is something you haven’t tried yet.”

“I’m a little afraid of horses, to be honest. Which is ridiculous for a Texas girl, I know, but it’s true.”

“We can work on that, too. It’s all about trust. Do you trust me, sunshine?”

If she trusted anyone aside from Chara, it was this man. The one who had been by her side when Brett fucking ghosted her after the accident that had been his damn fault.

She had a mental flash of that sensation again, of her head hitting the floor, her bones shattering. And Arrow kneeling at her side, holding her hand and murmuring to her to hang on until the paramedics got there. He’d held her hand every day she was in the hospital, too, with him and Chara taking turns at her bedside when Chara had been able to convince him to go home and rest. For two long months. He was the one she’d woken up to after her brain surgery to repair the brain bleed, the one who’d told her how severe her injuries were. The one who had assured her that she’d recover, and that he’d be there every step of theway—and he’d kept his word. If there was anyone in the world she could trust, it was him.

She gave herself a mental shake, willing the ugly, hurtful, frightening images away. “Yes. I trust you. I really do.”

But could she trust herself?

CHAPTER 2

Montana turned out to be every bit as beautiful as Arrow had said it was. Towering Ponderosa pines, gorgeous spruce, and Rocky Mountain maples lined the hills as they approached the enormous wrought iron gates to Rawhide Ranch.

Micah turned to look at Arrow, who was rolling down his window as they reached the enormous gates to the Ranch. He gave his credentials to the man at the gatehouse, who nodded and smiled as he let them pass. The moment they drove onto the property, her heart began to hammer.

What had she signed up for? She glanced at Arrow’s handsome profile: his rugged features, the hint of a dimple in his right cheek, the square jaw. The sexy bit of silver-shot scruff on his chin. Oh, this man was hot as fuck, and there was no use in denying it—which was what she’d been doing for the last five years. It had been a bit easier at home, somehow, with that established friendship dynamic. But here they were on an adventure together, and knowing he was inevitably going to put his hands on her was causing an all-out battle between her nerves and her desires.

He’s one of your best friends. Emphasis on friend.

She pulled in a deep breath, and despite her inner struggle, she appreciated the crisp freshness of the mountain air.

He reached over and laid a hand on hers. “You okay, darlin’?”

“Yeah. I guess the reality of this trip is sort of hitting me now. I know we’re going to have to dig pretty deep, and it’s a little scary.”

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