Page 27 of The Fence Between Us

If he were being honest, Rabble would have locked all four of them up in a safe house and thrown away the key, but he suspected the women in his life would have something to say about that. And none of it would be complimentary. Rabble gestured for Skye to go ahead and eat while he spoke.

“For now, one of us will be with you until we can ensure this isn’t connected to Bekah’s ex-husband, and we aren’t going to rule out anyone or anything else.”

Skye lifted an eyebrow. “That’s going to get old really fast, isn’t it?”

Rabble shrugged. “Most likely, yes. Fortunately, it’s summer, and three of you are frequently at The Wild Bride, which helps with security detail.”

“Does this,” she waved her pizza crust around in an all-encompassing manner, “normally happen with your work?”

After swallowing a large bite, Rabble tilted his head thoughtfully. “Mmm, I would say no. I mean, shit happens,right? But we don’t have this kind of thing go sideways too often, especially with a simple relocation.”

“I was pretty out of it last night, this morning, whatever.” Skye grabbed another slice of pizza and bit into it. “But, did I recognize the house next door?”

“Yeah, I, uh, bought the old place. I don’t want any reminders of Dad, but my mom’s here.” Maybe it was silly; he certainly felt ridiculous when he thought about his motivation. He didn’t think Skye would laugh or tell him he was delusional, but if she did, he wouldn’t let it hit him unprepared.

“Roll your shoulders, Rabble. I understand, and I think that’s beautiful.” Skye’s voice was gentle as she reached across the table, her soft hands grasping his large, rough one.

Rabble did as she instructed, not realizing he’d tucked his shoulders in to ward off any verbal attacks, a learned behavior he desperately wanted to unlearn.

He spoke before he thought, sharing an idea that had been slowly taking shape in his mind since he’d purchased the land. “I want to do something in her memory here. I’m not sure what just yet. Whatever it is, I know your dad will hate it.”

He wasn’t sure what reaction to expect from her, but Skye beamed like a cat that ate a canary. “That will make it all the better.”

Seated at the tiny card table, paper plates marred by pizza grease between them, Rabble felt like they were seeing each other clearly for the first time in forever. The hope surging through him was dangerous in the best and worst way.

Chapter 16

Skye

Skye couldn’t remember a time she felt more content. Despite the circumstances, she was completely comfortable and relaxed hiding in the cabin with Rabble. Maybe the world was imploding around them. Maybe her head still hurt from where she’d broken the coffee table with her skull, but this time and this place with him, felt perfect. Almost like they’d drawn back the curtain of their past, allowing the natural light of simply being together come through.

Without much else to do, Rabble shared stories of his time in the military, though not many. He deftly avoided topics and maneuvered around subjects that brought up dark memories. Her heart ached for him. How could she not hurt for this man? He also shared funny tales about the twins, how he met them and Elyza, how he considered them his family, and what those relationships meant to him as he grew into this handsome, brave, albeit scarred, man.

When she asked about his security work, he delved into the topic with gusto, and Skye lit up as she listened to him speakabout something he was passionate about. Unlike her parents and Dylan, Rabble didn’t speak to her like she was a child incapable of comprehending the way the world worked and unworthy of honesty. Even though she couldn’t care less about politics or the circles her parents ran with, she caught the looks of disgust among the politicians and Gayle when they threw around names that meant nothing to her.

Rabble returned the favor, asking what she enjoyed most about college, which were her favorite classes, and how she discovered she wanted to be a teacher. When he asked about her students, her heart melted; she loved talking about her kids. She also shared how she became friends with Elyza and Kellyn and how they fit into Skye’s life. Everything that had happened to her or around her while they’d been apart came spilling out of her. The cracks in her heart filled with new details; like missing puzzle pieces, they fell into place. It was like they were talking under the fence again, sharing parts of themselves they often kept safely tucked away.

They talked deep into the night until Skye yawned, struggling to stay awake. When she headed to the bathroom to change and brush her teeth, she stared at herself in the mirror above the sink. Her plain blue eyes were tired and her honey-blonde hair stood on end with frizz. Smoothing the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and the ones across her forehead, she sighed. She felt rejuvenated after lounging with Rabble, but fatigue pressed down on her, making her limbs heavy.

Skye left the door open after she finished, and Rabble took his turn while she busied herself arranging the bed linens and pillows.

“Rabble, I was thinking…” She could feel the hot blush building, creeping from her neck to her cheeks, and she hated it. Her gaze lifted to find him leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and biceps bulging. His eyes sparked with awareness buthe remained blessedly silent while she worked up the courage to voice her thoughts.

She averted her eyes, swallowing thickly as she searched for anything to focus on besides the way his cotton sleep pants hung on his hips, the thin trail of hair down leading from his bellybutton and disappearing beneath the waistband of his pants. Or how his stomach muscles clenched when she looked upon him. Skye’s gaze landed on the mattress, and the air suddenly felt warmer.

“The bed is plenty big enough for both of us.” She said, "You don’t need to sleep on the floor.” Ducking her head, she busied herself with fluffing the pillows for the third time.

His voice rumbled, sending shivers cascading down her spine and covering her arms in goosebumps. “Skye, I’m perfectly fine on the floor.”

“I know,” she mumbled. “I know that, but I…I don’t want you to sleep on the floor.”

“Skye…” Rabble rubbed his hand over his face, a war waging behind his eyes until his jaw set, and he nodded.

She blew out a breath with a sharp bob of her head, threw back the covers on the bed she’d just made, and climbed under the blankets without glancing at him, giving him her back. Several moments passed before the mattress dipped beneath his weight as he lay down beside her. The soft fabric of his cotton pants rubbed against her legs, which her own worn sleep shirt left bare. He rolled over and gently held her, careful to maintain enough space between them to keep her comfortable and allow her more than enough room to pull away. She sensed the hesitancy in his body as he strained to help her relax and avoid crossing any boundaries. She smiled softly; he really was a considerate man. In that moment, Skye knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, he was still the same person she’d known before everything had gone to hell in a handbasket.

“Matthew,” she said, her voice little more than a whisper.

Those same muscles that labored to keep from touching her tensed at his given name, the name she had used only a handful of times in her entire life.

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