Page 111 of Love and Memories

“I am. Thank you for reminding me,” she said softly.

Travis pressed a kiss to her cheek and lifted her hand. His fingers toyed with hers, linking and twisting together as if theywere two pieces of a moving puzzle, locking together in endless ways.

“Now, let’s eat. Anna and Olivia want to come over to check on you.”

“They don’t have to do that,” Bella said as she stood from his lap.

“Yeah, good luck stopping those two. I tried to tell them you might be tired before we left the sheriff’s department, but they insisted on bringing you dessert, and Olivia said something about only chicks allowed.”

Bella covered her mouth. “Oh, no. Are they trying to run you out?”

Travis stood and wrapped his arms around her before pressing a soft kiss to her lips. Every brush against each other was a promise–a vow.

Travis was the same sweet man she’d always known, but now, she saw him in a new light. He would stand firm beside her through anything, and she’d do the same for him.

42

TRAVIS

Travis played the first chords of the worship song he’d been practicing for Sunday morning’s service. He could ask Hunter Harding to take his place in the praise band this week, but if he did, Bella might think it was because of her.

The last thing Travis wanted was Bella blaming herself for anything else.

Plus, he’d had plenty of hours to practice last night while Anna and Olivia hung out with Bella. He’d stayed in the cabin next to hers, and while it was move-in ready, the only thing in it was a table and chairs.

No wonder his back was screaming today.

He picked the next few chords as Bella stepped out of the bedroom. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a clip, and she wore a thick gray sweater and what she called her baby belly pants. They looked like regular jeans, unless she pulled her shirt up to reveal the thick elastic band around the waist.

She was gorgeous. If only she saw herself the way he did. Her kindness was one of the things he loved most about her, and she had it in spades.

Every bit of wrestling she’d done since finding out she killed Gunner was expected. Travis had been with Gage after he’d been forced to take a life to protect Hadley. Even knowing the survival of the woman he loved was on the line, it still twisted his insides to know he’d taken a person’s life.

Anna and Olivia weren’t trained therapists, but Bella claimed to feel much better after their visit last night.

Bella pulled at the hem of her sweater and smiled at him. “What are you playing?”

“Haley Harding’s solo for Sunday morning.”

“It sounds beautiful.”

“Haley’s voice is amazing. Wait till you hear her sing it,” Travis said.

Bella walked over and pressed a kiss to his lips. The small touch was enough to light a fire, and he wanted more.

Shaking his head, he remembered what he’d been waiting for all morning. “I’ve been working on something for you.”

Her eyes widened, and the reserved grin from seconds ago widened to a megawatt smile. “Really?”

“I didn’t write it, but I thought of you when I heard it.”

Bella sat on the couch beside him and tucked her hands between her knees. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Bella had heard him play many times, but he’d never added vocals. This was a first, but if she liked it, maybe he could sing more.

Better yet, they could sing together. That was the goal. She liked to sing, but she hadn’t shared that talent with him in a while.

Travis kept his focus on the guitar as he played and sang “Glow” by Livingston. The song started low and built to a heart-thumping chorus. Every word reminded him of Bella and the way she radiated happiness whenever she wasn’t running from danger.

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