Page 122 of Forever After All

She focused on adjusting the blankets just the way she wanted them while Linc waited, unmoving, by the exit.

“What?” she whispered.

“Are you finished making your bed, princess? Is there a pea in there somewhere?”

She scoffed. “I have leaves in my hair, and I haven’t showered in days. I can hardly qualify for princess status. And I don’t want to think about what little critters might be hiding in these covers.”

Linc leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Take all the time you need.”

Oh, great. Now he was going to start doing that knee-melting forehead kissing thing, and she was going to turn into a complete sap in front of everyone at the ranch.

Whatever. It wasn’t as if she could change it. If she wanted to bask in Linc’s attention, she’d do it and dare anyone to say a word.

She plopped down onto her back very ungracefully and pulled the thin blanket over her. Once she was settled, Linc slipped beneath the covers beside her.

“Are you sure this is okay? I can put up another tent.”

“It’s fine. I haven’t brushed my teeth today, and I have zero fears you’ll want to take advantage of this mess.” She waved a hand in the air, gesturing to her whole body.

Linc laughed, and the sound was so new and sweet she wanted to reach out and catch it. “Whatever you say.”

He settled on his back beside her, and they both stared up at the tent ceiling. The soft night sounds filled the air around them, almost lulling her back to sleep.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“For what?”

“For staying.”

Linc’s fingers brushed against hers, and he slowly opened her hand. Their palms slid together before their fingers locked into the empty spaces.

He lifted their clasped hands and stared at the link they’d created. “I could never leave you.” His head turned to face her, and the deep timbre of his confession vibrated over her skin. “Ever.”

Jess inhaled a deep breath through her nose, grasping for an evenness that was slipping away. “I always have to prove that I’m strong,” she whispered. “I don’t look strong.”

“You do to me,” Linc said.

“I’m little. I’m blonde. I’m a woman. Respect is hard to come by, and it didn’t help that I came from the second worst family in the county.”

“It’s only because my family doesn’t live here,” he said.

“Where is your family?” she asked.

“Don’t know. Don’t care,” he said quickly.

Jess turned to face him, imagining a little boy without parents. “You had a lot to prove too,” she whispered.

“You don’t have to prove anything to me,” he said.

Those old insecurities rose to the surface, choking the joy out of her. “I had to do more than everyone else. I couldn’t stand the thought of Mr. Chambers giving me a job because he felt sorry for me. Because of where I come from.”

Linc squeezed her hand. “I get it.”

“You do. And I don’t have to prove anything to you. I don’t have to fight for your respect, and that’s…nice.” She finally let the breath out she’d been holding for what seemed like years. It was better than nice. It was essential to her now.

Linc lifted their hands and pressed his lips to her knuckles. “Get some rest. Brett, Ridge, and Blake will be here in the morning. They got stuck by some downed trees on the trail.”

“Good night, Linc,” she whispered as she rolled toward him, chasing his warmth.

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