Page 50 of Every Single Wildflower
“Can you unlock the door?” He asks.
I don’t want to. I want to stay in this sterile box and hide. Not face any of my fears, but that’s not reality, is it? Reality is messy. Unpredictable. Unfair.
That familiar need to let him be the one to wash away my problems blossoms inside of my chest. I lower my legs, rising to my feet before I flick the door lock. I can feel a fat tear drop drip down my cheek when I ease back the door. Maddox has his hands planted against the outside of the metal stall and his face draws up in a small scowl at my tears. Like he hates to see them.
“What do you need?” He asks, his voice low.
No interrogation. No questions about what happened. About why I spoke to Jamie that way. No. He only wants to know whatIneed. Which is why my stupid heart will never be able to let go of Maddox Sheppard.
“Home.” I step into the open space between us. “I need you to take me home”
With a quick kiss to my forehead, he takes my hand, leads me down to the elevator, then to my car, where he places me in the passenger seat. He then maneuvers his body behind the wheel and drives me back to the cabin. His fingers never untwined from mine the entire way home.
I progress to the couch with a headache from the silent tears I let fall on the drive. I really just want to put on my sweats and curl up on the couch.
“Go change.” Maddox motions to the bedroom.
Did he just read my mind?
He places his to go bag on the counter, pulling out two containers.
“I had already ordered for you before I knew you were going to the hospital.”
And he got me dinner?
Here come the tears again.
“Peach Cobbler too,” he adds.
That’s it. I’m marrying him.
“Thanks.” I turn away and escape to my room, where I pull on my old sweats and a ratty Reba McEntire t-shirt.
When I make it back into the kitchen, Maddox has both places set at the table. A cup is resting beside the container. A sweet tea, no ice, half full. Did Brady ever once remember that peach cobbler is my favorite or that I hate ice in my tea?
A small smile somehow crosses my face, even though my heart feels like it’s been punched to death by a heavy weight champ.
Taking my seat, I watch him drop his lean body into the chair across from me. He doesn’t begin to eat; he just folds his arms and studies me.
“Aren’t you going to ask me?” I reach for my tea and take a sip.
He shrugs a shoulder. “I assume you’ll talk when you’re ready.”
I nod and place the cup back on the table. “I think I’m ready.” I meet his eyes, about to reveal something I’ve never told a living soul. A burden that isn’t even mine to carry, but I do anyway. “Right before I left.” I swallow hard, my mouth going dry before I rush out. “I found out my father and Jamie were having an affair.”
Chapter thirty-eight
Ivy
Four years ago
“Sweetheart, we’re out of cups.” My mother moves to the large pot of chili before flinging her rag over her shoulder. “Can you run up to the house? I keep some plastic ones in the pantry on the top shelf.”
It’s our annual trial ride on the ranch, which consists of half of the town and those from the surrounding areas that come for a full day of riding, a chili cook off, live music, and family fun. Every year the crowd grows, and more people flock from all over to get a taste of the Mayson Ranch.
I glance at the toddler next to her feet, the smiling little boy is trying to steal a piece of bread from the table.
“Wylie.” My mother playfully scolds. “Are you being sneaky?”
