Page 24 of Surly Sheriff
Packing Esmeralda first thing in the morning and heading out was the wise option. But every time she thought of leaving, her heart hurt. It was as if a large vise pierced her chest and squeezed that life-giving organ until she wanted to cry and beg it to stop.
Rae reached the broom under a side table displaying the Top Ten Best Seller novels and nicked a cocktail onion. The small onion rolled away, and she swung the broom, catching it within the bristles.
Stay or leave.
If she stayed, it contradicted the main principle that protected her till now:form no attachments.
But the idea of leaving was simply too painful to bear.
Nate’s parents were driving up from Florida to help until after the babies were born. As they would need the bedroom she occupied, staying with the Fishers was no longer feasible.Their pending arrival gave her the perfect out to pack up and hit the road, yet she had lost her mind and asked Nancy about a furnished, short stay rental.
The volume of the piped music rose, and Rae straightened, frowning.
Adele. The haunting lyrics of “One and Only”filled the store.
Beau stepped up behind her, removed the broom from her grip, placed his hands on her upper arms, and turned her.
“What—?” Her startled gaze flew to meet his.
“This was playing when you flew by me on the road,” he said, pulling her nearer.
She frowned. “It was?”
“Yep. Dance with me.” Beau smoothed his palms down her arms until reaching her hands. He lifted them to his shoulders, and his arms stretched around her, his hands splaying wide across her back, nudging her closer. He started swaying to the music, shuffling her with him.
She dropped her forehead to his chest in defeat.
Being held by him felt so good.
Maybe, for a moment, she could not think so hard and just be.
Taking a deep breath, she detected a subtle note of spice mingled with a faint scent of sweat. Combined, they produced an intoxicating aroma.
Pure Beau.
And when she exhaled, her body’s tension eased.
“You’ve been waging a battle today,” he said.
Her steps faltered; he firmed his hold.
“We’ll cope if you leave. Not that Iwantyou to leave,” he added softly.
Rae lifted her head and glanced up over his shoulder. She remained quiet, taking in her surroundings as he moved her around the makeshift dance floor in the middle of the store.
Run. Now,Raegan instructed.
Adele sang about never knowing if you never try.
I’m worthy,Rae-Rae countered.And with Beau by my side, I can face anything. Even my past.
She ignored the caution screaming in her head and swallowed past the growing lump in her throat. “I don’t want to leave,” she whispered.
“Why?”
Tilting her head back, she looked into his unusual amber-blue eyes.
Adele’s lyrics circumvented her brain, speaking straight to her heart, urging her on.
