Page 33 of The Runaway and the Rugged
“You’re really making me feel like a damsel now, you know that?” Emelia grumbled just loud enough for Greta to hear the tail end of it. A tinge of pink broke out along both cheeks, and to my surprise, she remained compliant in my arms.
At this point, there was no other choice but to accept the way she made my heart kick. Stranger or not, runaway bride or not, she was an unexpected punch to the gut I wasn’t prepared for.
“And you’re really bringin’ out the savior complex in me, so I’d say we're pretty even,” I grunted in return, feeling Greta’s heavy presence watching me over like a damn hawk.
I could already hear the onslaught of questions that’ll be soon comin’ my way. So instead, I ignored her inquisitive gaze altogether and sidestepped around her with the intention of setting Emelia on one of the patio chairs.
“Uh, is anyone going to explain to me why we're not haulin’ ass over to the wedding ceremony right now?” Greta shouted in disbelief, her voice trembling with astonishment.
I didn’t have to look at Emelia to know she was distraught.
“How ’bout you take a deep breath before you give yourself an aneurysm.” I shot the demand over my shoulder as I climbed up the steps to the patio. “Go tie up Ella to her post, then come sit down and we’ll tell you what’s goin’ on.”
She was quick to respond, “We’ll? What do you mean by we’ll?”
Shaking my head, I knew better than to play into whatever ridiculous thoughts were dancing around in her head. She was stressed, confused, at her wits’ end with this whole day, so I acted as though I didn’t even hear her.
Minutes passed. I expected a lot more than just disgruntled mumbles from Greta. At least a “fuck you, Garth,” or a “Do it yourself,” would have been a more typical response than the one she was giving me now. Most likely because she didn’t want Emelia to see how easily she flies off the handle.
Once on the back deck, I carried Emelia over to the outdoor couch where she could rest her feet. “I thought you said she’d be understanding?” Emelia groaned as I gently lowered her onto the cushions. I’d taken the silence from Greta as an indication she was tying up Ella where she couldn’t hear our conversation.
“I said she’d be more understanding than you think.” I adjusted the pillow behind her back until I knew she was comfortable. “Which I meant after you tell her everything.”
Feet extended, arms slumped at her sides in defeat, her head tipped back on a low groan. Still hovering just beside where she laid, I realized I never paid close attention to women. Maybe back in the day before life took on a more serious tone I dabbled in appreciating a woman up close, but something about it felt different now. Not so playful anymore, but intense.
Fucking dangerous.
The delicate curve of her neck was exposed while her eyes were closed off to the world around her. Like she was taking a moment of peace for herself. Tearing my gaze away was deemed impossible. Like a fallen, unreachable star that had landed onto our ranch, she was a one-in-a-million occurrence. So out of her realm, yet I couldn’t shake the possibility that I could somehow reach her.
Fuckin’ foolish.
As if she could sense someone was watching her, she lazily opened her eyes. Coming into focus with a few gentle blinks and shifting her head forward, it was almost instantaneous when she met my gaze.
She didn’t seem surprised at all, maybe a little curious, but there were no signs of shock on her face. If anything, she looked calm.
Maybe she felt me staring all along?
That would be my luck.
What would also be my luck is that a rush of unexplainable heat began to break out along my face and neck, like an itchy, hot rash that had my throat tightening.
What the actual hell? Was I fuckin’ blushing?
“All right you two.” Greta’s voice severed right through whatever hypnotic state we were under. Her loud, emphasizedstomps up the stairs were like a sudden, cool bucket of ice being poured over my head, jolting us both into awareness.
Forcing myself to cough, I quickly broke eye contact and took the chair across from Emelia. Finally, I felt a semblance of normalcy rush back to me. Like I was able to think logically again after losin’ myself in the aura she emanated.
Trouble was what she was. Trouble that a man like me didn’t need any more of.
And when Greta finally plopped herself down onto a chair directly next to me, with a solemn expression and tight-lipped scowl, I suddenly realized that no matter what trouble Emelia faced or brought onto this ranch, I refused to let her carry that burden alone.
It wasn’t in my nature or upbringing to turn a blind eye to a woman in need. Despite all the reasons why I should disengage myself entirely and let Greta handle this mess she got herself in, I knew my conscience wouldn’t let me. So when Greta readied herself with a fixed gaze on Emelia, I used the last second of silence to nod reassuringly at Emelia.
Despite looking green around the gills, she posed as someone confident. Back straight, unwavering stare now focused on Greta, she was making every effort to remain brave. And damn, if that didn’t impress me.
Then finally with a prolonged sigh, Greta spoke. “What’s going on, Emelia?”
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