Page 46 of Cinnamon Cider Whiskey
“And you want me here with you.”
Austin ran a hand over his face. “Isn’t that what you want?”
“There are so many things I want and I do know I can have many of them once I’m out of the clutches of Pete. It will take some hard work on my part, but I can turn my life around.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I need to go to counseling. I need to have a little time and space to heal.”
“What exactly are you saying?”
“I love you.” She eased off the chair and made her way around the island.
His chest tightened. Fear gripped his soul. His world hinged on her words. “Why do I feel like there’s a but coming?”
“There’s not.” She palmed his cheek. “We’ve eased into living together and I haven’t wanted to leave because I feel safe from Pete. You protect me from all the bad things on the other side of the ranch fence.”
“Isn’t that what a boyfriend is supposed to do?”
“Talking out this plan, I realized a part of me doesn’t know how to take care of myself. I need to be able to do that. When thisis over, I want to ask JW if there is a space that I can move into—by myself—and spend a little time living alone.”
“What about us?” He held his breath.
“We will still be together.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “I don’t want things between us to change, except I can’t live here. Not yet.”
“I understand.” And he did. She’d been only nineteen when she married Pete and became a mom. Nineteen when Pete began to gaslight and control her every move.
Austin had waited fifteen years for her to come to him, he could wait a few more months. He brushed his mouth across her warm lips. “You should live here and I will move into the bunkhouse.”
She jerked her head. “With the cowboys?”
He laughed. “The apartment above it is currently empty. It’s the only place I know that’s available on the ranch and I don’t think you want to live there.”
“No, I don’t. But do you? The cowboys can get pretty rowdy.”
“It will be temporary.” He kissed her nose. “Because I intend to sweep you off your feet and show you what a great catch I am.” He winked.
“I already know that. But what I need to comprehend is that I’m one too.”
“I can be a patient man.” He pulled her close. He would give her the world if he could. Whatever she wanted because she deserved to have her hopes and dreams fulfilled. He'd deal if it meant sleeping alone for a few more months. “I will do whatever you need because I love you and I want you to be happy.”
She sniffled into his shirt.
“Damn, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He smoothed his fingers through her long silky hair.
“Your willingness to let me do what I need to makes me want to change my mind.”
He cupped her face. “A lot is going on right now. You’re in the beginning stages of a divorce. Your husband is facing criminal charges. Not to mention everything we just learned. It’s overwhelming for both of us. Settling into a relationship together too quickly might not be the healthiest move. We have lots of time to date and learn about each other and who we are now. I don’t want you to think this is me stepping back because it’s not. I’m being realistic about the situation.”
“You’ve changed,” she said. “For the better. The old you might have taken this as me having second thoughts.”
“Even if you were—and I know that’s not the case—it would be okay.” He pressed his lips over her mouth. “Now, I don’t know about you, but I can’t sit here and wait for a phone call regarding Pete’s hearing. I’m not that patient. I will lose my freaking mind. So, how about we grab that leftover fried chicken and potato salad, saddle up a couple of horses, and have ourselves a little picnic.”
“Sounds like a perfect way to avoid going stir-crazy.”
“You pack the basket. I’ll go get the horses ready.” He patted her bottom. “I’ll see you outside. He glanced at his watch as he approached the back door. It could be an hour before the phone call came in.
Or five.
In the meantime, he’d call JD. Everyone at the ranch needed to be prepared for the worst. He also needed to get a handle on where and what Gage was up to. He didn’t like that Gage had been MIA. That didn’t make sense and he worried that something had happened.
Cinnamon set the basket on the kitchen table. The picnic had been a nice distraction, even though she couldn’t eat very much. She had tried forcing down as much as possible, knowing she’d need her strength. If Pete was released from jail, she knew he wouldn’t wait long before heading to Buhl. He would view this as a personal attack and he wouldn’t take it lying down.
