Page 26 of One Hot Summer

“We all are,” I reply, thinking of my own past, of the scars Collin and I both carry. “But maybe we can heal together.”

A small smile tugs at her lips. “I’d like that.”

I want nothing more than to pull her close, to seal this moment with a kiss. But before I can move, a small voice interrupted us.

“Dad? Kelsie? Are you coming?”

We both turn to see Collin standing in the doorway, his face smeared with cinnamon sugar. Kelsie laughs, the sound light and free in a way I've never heard before.

“We're coming, sweetie.” She reaches for the plate of turnovers. As she passes me, she pauses, her eyes meeting mine. “We have all the time in the world now.”

I follow them into the living room, my heart full to bursting. As I watch Kelsie and Collin settle on the couch, heads bent together over a book, my heart is full.

Chapter Seventeen

Kelsie

The insurance company calls to let me know that the insurance should pan out next week. Yet, now I’m torn. What will that mean for Carson and I? It makes sense for me to move into my own place while we sort things out. Even if we are “dating”, we shouldn’t live together, right?

I go down to the kitchen to find him, but all I find is a note.

Come find me in the barn. Collin is staying with a friend tonight.

My heart pounds like a war drum as I approach the barn.. A rustic wooden table stands in the center of the barn. Mason jars overflow with wildflowers. Tears prick at my eyes. My gaze drifts across the table, taking in every detail. A bottle of wine chilling in an ice bucket. Two place settings. And in the center, a small vase holding a single red rose.

This isn't just dinner - this is a declaration. My heart flutters wildly, a caged bird taking flight. I press a hand to my chest, trying to calm its frantic beating.

“Do you like it?” Carson's deep voice startles me. I turn to find him standing in the shadows.

He steps into the candlelight, his rugged features softened by them. His piercing blue eyes drink me in as I take in sight of him. He’s dressed in a crisp button-down shirt and dark jeans.

He gestures towards the table, a gentle smile playing on his lips, and he pulls out a chair for me.

“This is... incredible,” I finally manage. “I don't know what to say.”

He reaches across the table, his hand hovering near mine but not quite touching. “You don't have to say anything,” he replies. “I just... I wanted to do something special for you. To show you how much you mean to me.”

I swallow hard, fighting back tears. How has this man, this beautiful, caring cowboy, managed to slip past my defenses yet again so quickly?

Carson lifts a cloth napkin, revealing a basket of golden rolls. My mouth waters instantly. He passes me a plate with tender, herb-crusted chicken and roasted vegetables.

“I hope you like it,” Carson says,. “I wanted to try something special.”

I take a bite, savoring the burst of flavors. “It's delicious.”

As we eat, I catch Carson watching me. My cheeks warm under his gaze.

Carson clears his throat, setting down his fork. “Kelsie, I... there's something I need to say.” His voice is low, tinged with both hope and hesitation. “Having you here, on the ranch... it's changed everything. You've brought a light back into my life that I thought was gone forever.”

My heart clenches at his words. “Carson, I-”

“Please, let me finish. I know you've been through so much, and I don't want to push. But I need you to know how grateful I am for your presence here. You've not only helped with the ranch and with Collin, but you've... you've helped me remember what it feels like to truly care for someone again.”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “I… I feel it too. This connection between us. We both know it’s always been there and maybe we shouldn’t have split all those years ago. Or maybe that was what it took for us to come back to each other.”

“I agree. The things we have experienced have set us up to be the people we are now, and these people fit together perfectly. But I know you will hear from the insurance company soon… and I just want to say that you are welcome to stay here with us as long as you want. There is no rush on either side of this.”

I lean forward. “Being here, with you and Collin... it feels right. It feels like home.” I pause, my heart racing. “I want to stay, Carson. I want to explore what we have, whatever it might be.”

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