Page 33 of Cinnamon Cider Whiskey
“Interest rates are high and don’t shoot the messenger, but you haven’t had a job long enough for a bank to take that risk. I, on the other hand, wouldn’t charge you interest and I know you’re good for it.”
“You’re going to argue with me until I say yes, aren’t you?” She carried a large plate of pasta and set it on the table. She smoothed down the front of her apron and sighed.
“I’m not arguing. I’m pointing out facts. And hopefully being a good boyfriend.”
“Oh, is that what you think you are?”
“I’m not?” He raced to the other side of the counter, grabbed his beer, and chugged.
“You are.” She laughed, although it was a nervous one. “But you might not be after this dinner.”
“Why? Are you really expecting that it will taste that bad?”
“No.” She turned and lifted a bottle of wine and poured a glass. “But the dinner conversation is going to be tough.”
“Uh-oh. Let me fill my belly first.” He sat down and stuffed his face with a big forkful. “Holy shit. This is actually really good.”
“I’m glad you like it.” She let out a long breath. “I need to tell you something and it’s going to upset you.”
He wiped his mouth with his napkin and leaned back. “I’m listening.”
“It’s about Pete.”
“He will be in jail until his hearing and hopefully, the judge will keep him there.” His appetite disappeared. He had a good idea where this conversation was headed. He had suspicions about some of the underlying issues Cinnamon had been having regarding intimacy. He didn’t need to be a counselor or a doctor to figure that one out. He’d opted not to pry or pressure her into talking about it, much less doing anything other than snuggling or kissing. When she was ready, they’d deal with it.
He had his own set of problems that he would have to share, which would also have to be tonight, making this evening even harder. The only reason he knew anything about what was going on with the investigation into Charity’s disappearance was that his brother-in-law had heard about it through his buddy at the FBI.
“I know and I feel better knowing he’s there. I just wish he’d sign the divorce papers. I called the lawyer today and nothing has been done regarding that. I don’t want it to go on forever.”
“It won’t. Eventually, whether it be because he signs them or because it goes before a judge, it will happen.”
She twirled her pasta around her fork, but never brought it to her mouth. She stared at her food as if it were going to speak for her, so Austin decided to make it easier.
He reached across the table and took her hand. “Cinnamon, look at me.”
She lifted her gaze.
“I shouldn’t assume anything about what happened in your marriage, but a lot has gone on inside my head. Since you’ve been home, I’ve had nightmares about it.”
“What do you mean?”
He touched the side of her face. “Your bruises are disappearing. The scars are healing, but I know there is more to this story you haven’t told me. I haven’t asked because I know it’s painful. Shameful. Embarrassing and a whole list of other emotions for you. However, you need to know that I don’t see you as the sum of what he did to you. I’m angry as hell. I hate knowing he hurt you emotionally, physically, sexually. I blame myself for it, even though I know there was nothing I could have done. I hope that asshole rots in prison for the rest of his life. But what he did has nothing to do with you or how I feel about you. It doesn’t change the fact that I love you.”
Tears fell from her eyes. “Why do you have to be so kind and know all the right things to say and at precisely the perfect moment?”
He pulled her from her chair to his lap. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her neck. “I don’t know. I know you were struggling to tell me something, and I took a stab in the dark at what it could be based on how you pull away.”
“I don’t want to be like this.”
“Babe, I know that. And you won’t be forever. Did you call any of those therapists and schedule an appointment?”
“I have one on Friday.”
“Would you like me to come?”
She cupped his face. “You have to work.”
“Come on. You know how this ranch operates. It will be okay if I let JW know I need to sneak off for a few hours for something.”
