Page 44 of Saving Grace
“Leila Grace Barrett, you are the most beautiful, patient, big-hearted woman I have ever met. You’re compassionate, considerate, and overall, just one of the most amazing people I know.” He steps forward, cradling my head in his hand. “But do you have to be the most stubborn person in this entire town?” His grip slides to the back of my head as he gently pulls me to his chest.
“I think that award goes to you,” I whisper, my voice breaking slightly. Giving in to the security of his hold, I settle my ear over Drew’s heartbeat, letting the sound ground me. Letting the feel of his arm, the strength in his grip, keep me in the present instead of where I’d been before Drew found me.
“I hope the day comes where you trust me enough to share whatever’s going through your mind like you used to,” he whispers just as softly, the tone a little raspier than normal as emotion consumes him, too.
Leaning back in shock, I take in his expression and realize he’s dead serious. My fingers glide up his chest, running along the edges of the straps that sit there. “Oh, Drew. No, babe.” The endearment slips out, but I don’t let myself analyze it. “You are everything and more. I’ve been handling so much of this fear, this guilt, by myself for so long that I forget there’s more than just me. It’s more than a little terrifying voicing these things out loud. I know you’re willing to listen, it’s just…” The words get stuck as I try to ease his worries. The last thing I want him to think is that I don’t trust him. Because this man is everything to me, and I’m quickly realizing there’s no more pretending that I’m not in love with Drew.
With that realization, I smile.
Drew smiles back, but his eyes crinkle in confusion. “What are you smiling at, sunshine?”
“I’m in.”
“You’re…in?”
I nod, a giggle slipping free. “You gonna show me around, or what? I mean, assuming you didn’t bring me to a stranger’s house.”
Understanding finally clicks. “You’re in. As in, moving in?”
A grin consumes my face as I nod, despite the exhaustion and fogginess that pulls at my mind. “You going to show me around our new home or what?”
Chapter 21
Leila
“Are you sure you’re okay with Kaia hanging out for a few hours? I can see if Kelsey minds watching her.”
Kristen tsks at me as she plucks a bright-eyed Kaia from my arms. “Tell Mommy to have fun with Daddy, sweet girl. You and Aunt KK have chaos to cause this morning.”
I choke on a laugh. “Please tell me you’re good with this, again.”
She tucks my daughter to her chest, the gentlest of smiles gracing her lips. “I have your number on speed dial. You have mine. Declan knows which trail you guys are taking if he needs to ride out to find you for any reason. We’re just unboxing the nursery for you this morning, and Gavin will swing by later to help move some of the heavier stuff around. Go have fun. You and Drew both deserve the break.”
“Thanks, Kristen.”
“Now go before he sends out a search party for you.”
***
I haven’t been on a horse in so many years that I almost laughed in Drew’s face when he suggested we hit the trails this morning. Not only am I exhausted from packing all my belongings into Drew’s truck last night, but Kaia’s poor little tummy has been tight and gassy since we started adding formula to her feeding routine. While he was prepping my coffee earlier, I not so subtly questioned his sanity for suggesting I sit on a twelve-hundred-pound animal when I haven’t had more than four hours of sleep.
Now, as I watch him sling a pad and a saddle over the little chestnut gelding’s back, I nearly have to bite my knuckle to keep the appreciative sound in. Apparently, I don’t silence it too well. Drew glances over, his backward ballcap sitting low on his brows. It’s well before midday, and his shirt already sports sweat marks from the hours he’s been out here riding. When he slipped out of the house this morning with a quick kiss before the sun came up, I knew he was hoping to get some training rides in before the humidity skyrocketed again. I watch for any indication that his shoulder isn’t up to this, but he’s a grown man. I try my best to keep out of his way, even if worry eats away at me that he’s overdoing it.
“Like what you see, sunshine?”
“You have no business looking that good when you’re that filthy,” I say before slapping a hand over my mouth in shock. I can’t believe I said that.
I mean, it’s true…but still.
He opens his arms and starts walking toward me, a dangerous smirk on his lips. One I recognize all too well.
“Don’t you dare,” I warn, backing away as quickly as I can without stumbling over the loose gravel.
“Oh, come on, sunshine. Don’t you want a hug?”
Drew shoots forward, grabbing me as I squeal. His arms wrap around me, tucking me into his chest and rocking us side to side as I submit to the sweaty bear hug. His breath tickles my ear,settling something in me as we just sway. I hadn’t realized the tension building in my chest until now.
“If you’d rather watch or just hang out and groom one of the mares, we can do that instead,” Drew says, taking the tension as nerves about riding. Honestly, I can’t pinpoint where the anxious energy is coming from. It’s frustrating when there isn’t a noticeable trigger.
