Page 43 of You're My Person - For Always

He shut off the bike. "Hang tight."

Getting off the motorcycle, he walked to the gate, used the key to unlock the chain, and pushed the gate open.

Kenna got off the Harley and walked toward him. "Go ahead and ride through. I'll close it behind you."

"Just fling the chain over the bar. I'll lock up when we leave." He jogged over to the motorcycle.

Moving forward, he waited until she finished and climbed back onto the motorcycle. A few members would smooth the ruts made by the spring thaw each year. Eventually, grass grew over the terrain. He rode slowly. While it wasn't asphalt, it was nice enough to enjoy the ride to the peak.

The landscape rushed by in a blur of green and brown. He pointed out the woodpecker hammering against the trunk of a spruce tree to Kenna. She hugged his waist tighter. He'd always wanted to show her his world, and now she was here.

The vistas came into view. He rode to the end of the trail at the top of the highest mountain peak in Gem Haven and parked the Harley.

He patted her leg and motioned for her to get off the bike. After he dismounted, he walked to the edge and held out his hand to her, beckoning her forward. She came to him and peered over the edge into the valley below.

From their advantage point, he could make out the river that went through the southern piece of the property and wound its way to the edge of the campground. But what drew his attention was where the clubhouse sat with the bar farther in the distance.

Looking beyond the bar, he could see the house nestled in the trees.

"Wow." Kenna threaded her fingers between his fingers and held his hand. "It's like being on top of the world. It almost makes me dizzy."

He pulled her in front of him and wrapped his arms around her, holding her securely to him. "Just breathe."

"Are we still in Gem Haven?" she asked.

"Yep."

She pressed her back against him. "I never thought it was possible to own so much land. I mean, there are ranches around, but this is all wild and rugged wilderness."

His dad worked his ass off to purchase the property. He'd handed over every dime he had saved, knowing someday it would be worth more than money could buy.

"Are you happy here?"

She lifted her hands and held on to his crossed arms. "I'm happy with you. I'm happy that I have my sister in my life again. But..."

He kissed the top of her head. "Tell me."

"Don't get me wrong. I want to be with you. I wouldn't change anything aboutus." She turned in his arms and faced him. "I feel pulled in two different directions. My dad's in prison and he's going to die, and it doesn't matter that I've already lost him once. I know he's sitting in a cell by himself, thinking today will be his last or maybe tomorrow. I can't even imagine that kind of pain. And yet, I can't connect him to the crimes he committed. The people he killed. I'm not—I'm not—"

"Sh. I know." He cupped her face, hating to see her struggle.

"Even though I should feel sympathy for the people he killed and their families, I can't let go of how I feel." She patted her chest. "I need my dad. I've always needed him, and he's not here for me."

"Kenna." He pressed his lips to her forehead, her nose, her cheek, her lips. "You're so fucking strong."

"I don't feel strong." Her voice shook, but she held the emotions in.

She never cried. Even when she had reasons to shed the tears filling her, she held them in.

"Shit." She inhaled swiftly. "Sorry. I didn't mean to turn this into a whine-fest. You brought me up here, and it's beautiful." She stretched to her tiptoes and kissed his lips. "You're beautiful. A beautiful soul."

He kissed her hard. "I brought you up here to give you something."

"Me?" She frowned. "What?"

He took her hand and led her back to the motorcycle. Yesterday, he'd run into town with a wild idea. He wasn't sure she'd accept his gift or understand why he bought it for her. He wanted to give her something she once enjoyed.

He removed the cord from his duffle bag and set it on the seat of his Harley. Stepping back, he motioned for her to open the bag. "Unzip it," he said.

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