Page 13 of Rogue Cowboy
“There’s no can’t, Riley.We’re married.I’m not leaving.”
“What?”She tossed the gel on the small counter that comprised her kitchen and balled her fists on her hips.“What does that mean?”She faced him, unable to comprehend he intended to stay.
Cole Jameson hadn’t stayed anywhere longer than a couple of nights his entire adult life.
“No way are you staying in Marietta,” she scoffed, and then more horror bloomed.
Cole’s family ranched in Texas.His family ranch was legacy and legendary—yeah she’d looked it up on one of her bad days where she’d wallowed and tried to understand what she’d tied herself to—temporarily.Cole was even further out of reach than she’d thought—not that she intended to reach or hold on to him.
He fluidly reached around her, snagged the gel and lightly pressed it against her cheek.“A few more minutes,” he said.“Go easy on me.I’m having trouble seeing you bruised and hurting without wanting to punch a hole in something.”
She stared at him, uncomprehending.“You’re as calm and unflappable as Copper Mountain.”
She was the one with the drama and always flying off the handle.That made her think of the musicalWickedand inwardly she started humming “Defying Gravity.”
“Wicked, right?”
“Oh, I was humming out loud?”Her family was used to it.She’d hummed in her crib—in tune to hear her mother tell the story—and throughout her life she’d unconsciously sung or hummed no matter what she was doing—showing, planting flowers and veggies, cooking, doing stable chores, playing games after Sunday family supper.
But lately not so much.
“One of your many charms.”His hint of a smile had her breath fracturing in her throat.
No.No.No.He could not be sweet.
“Ha.You’ve seen me at my worst.Zero charm.And I’ve probably seen you at your best.”
“I like that you think that.”He turned that powerful blue-black with specks of fire all-seeing gaze on her.He straightened his shoulders as if about to carry a large burden.“I came here so that we could start our journey together.Each give our best.”
While Riley tried to wrap her head around the weirdness of that, his watch beeped, and he removed the gel pack and put it back in the freezer like he had every right to take care of her.
“I thought you came here for me to sign something so we could officially divorce.”
What a weird word in my mouth.
She’d never imagined she’d have to say the D word, and she felt a little sick.It might have been her imagination, but Cole seemed stiller, though the air crackled with energy, just briefly.
“What gave you that idea?”
Her mouth dropped open.“What wouldn’t?”Had he had a head injury in a place she couldn’t pronounce?“You’re you,” she blurted, trying to corral her thoughts that galloped untamed through her head.“Gorgeous.Rich.Decorated soldier.Successful.Texas.Deploying all over the world.I’ve only been to five states.”
“I’m not rich.”
“One point in your favor.”
“Just one.”His voice was low, resonant, and did something crazy to her tummy that flipped in time with her heart.She was as susceptible as she’d been at nineteen.
“You said gorgeous.”
Riley tried to remember how to breathe.“Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late.”
“Be serious.”She barely knew this playful version of him.She’d seen a hint now and then their weekend together, but after… Her brain shied away.His texts had been serious.Probing.Making her think and feel too much.Ache with loneliness.
“You live in Texas.”Why was that her first objection?
“While Texans think they are their own country, it’s a state, and not so far from your family.”
