Page 23 of Halfway to Hell
“Texas. It’s Texas.”
“Sorry,” she whispered, trying to slow her racing breath.
“Doll, why are you on the floor?”
“I had a bad dream… and wanted to be closer to you.”
Scrubbing a hand over his tired face, Texas knew he desperately needed sleep. More sleep. Keeping the blanket tucked around his body, he decided the only way either of them would get rest was if they slept—together.
“Here’s the deal,” he said quietly. “I need some serious sleep, and so do you. At this rate, neither of us will be worth a damn tomorrow. And we need to be worth a damn when we get to Montreal.”
“Can I sleep in your bed?” Sunday held up her blanket like a shield.
“I have my own blanket.”
Texas didn’t have any better ideas to get them through the night. Sliding back under the covers, he tucked the blanket carefully around himself so he wouldn’t expose himself to her. At any other time, he wouldn’t care if a woman saw him naked—but this one didn’t need to deal with that.
“Outside or inside?” he asked.
“Inside, please.” Sunday wrapped herself tighter in her blanket, ready to climb in.
Texas patted the bed. “Come on.”
Sunday gathered herself off the floor and crawled in, settling close to the wall. She snuggled down under the covers, trying to take up as little space as possible.
“I’m gonna turn this light off, okay?” Texas said.
“That’s fine.”
The click of the lamp turning off left the room in soft darkness. Texas lay back, facing away from Sunday, closing his eyes and silently praying they’d both get some much-needed rest.
Chapter Nine
Texas woketo the soft rhythm of gentle snoring. A small hand rested lightly against his bare chest, warm and steady. For a moment, he let his eyes stay closed, soaking in the quiet—the steady rise and fall of breath, the faint scent of night air mixed with something familiar, something safe. Slowly, his larger hand brushed over the smaller one, lingering on the warmth beneath his palm. The world around him softened, and he slipped back into sleep, drifting into a dream that felt like coming home.
“Hey babe, I’m heading out to run errands.”
Texas looked up from working on his bike, his eyes lighting on his wife. She was the best part of him. “When will you be back, sweetheart?”
“Around dinner time. I was thinking of picking something up for us instead of cooking.”
“I’m good with whatever makes you happy.”
“Love you, Ange.”
He gave Lisa a wink and smiled. “Love you too.”
As she waved and walked toward her car, Texas stood and jogged after her. Grabbing his wife, he spun her around. “Were you actually leaving without giving me a kiss?”
He laughed at the smile she gave him. “Damn woman, I love you so much.”
Lisa cupped his face with her hand. Ange could have left years ago, when she said she wouldn’t try for any more children. He could have found another woman to give him babies. But he stayed with her and they worked through the grief of losing their daughter just hours after her birth. She didn’t know another man who would have stayed.
“I love you so much I can’t even find the words to explain how I feel.”
“Then kiss me, woman, and show me. Don’t leave me wondering.”
Her lips were soft and full as they pressed against his. Texas could live in her kiss alone.
