Page 148 of Come Back to Me

Yours forever,

Cody

Cody,

Join me on the porch swing outside?

Tee

Tee

When I slid the note under the door, I was crying.

That was five minutes ago, and I’m still crying.

Maybe I’m not letting him suffer enough, butGOD.

I need to see him. I need to hold him. I need to…something.

But he hasn’t come to me yet. I heard his truck pull up, though, so I know he’s here. I just don’t know why he hasn’t dropped everything to find me.

I’m so arrogant sometimes.

He might be busy. Could be in the shower. Is probably doing some work—Callan told me that he’s taken over the ranch’s security.

My heart’s racing. Panic and need and sorrow crawling through me?—

A creaking sound from the front door draws my attention. I watch him peer around it, and when he sees me, his brow furrows, but he rushes over to my side.

“What the fuck, Tee? Who the hell made you cry?!”

I blink up at him. “Huh?”

“Tell me, Tee, and I’ll rip his fucking head off.”

Okay, tears aside, this might have unlocked a new kink.

I swipe at my cheeks. “No murder required.” I hold up my hand to stall the furious words that look ready to boil over. “Just sit with me. Please.”

Confused, he frowns but takes a seat beside me. “What happened?”

I can feel his gaze sliding over me, but I keep mine locked on the vista.

I slip my fingers through his.

He bridges them.

Immediately.

Tangles them tight.

My heart stops racing.

I breathe easier.

For endless moments, we just sit there. Hand in hand. Tears rolling down my cheeks.

Then, an hour, a day, a week later, I rasp, “You earned an A+. Expect another letter from me tonight.”