Page 1 of Imperfectly Ours

Chapter 1

It had to be perfect. I needed it to be perfect.

Not so much for my sake, but for hers. After everything, she deserved one perfect evening. A simple night out for dinner with someone that took my breath away was enough for me. But Tenley had been through too much to not have something that set her heart on fire. Not something that nearly killed her, or got her injured. I wasn’t about to let that happen for a fourth time.

One was too many, but three times? I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself as I brushed the soft snowflakes from my sleeves. First a bear attack, then nearly drowning from, once again, an invitation I extended. Then getting shot by some crazy chick who wanted my brother. All within a couple months of moving here.

She was a strong woman, one of the many qualities that made me fall for her in the first place. But just because she was strong, didn’t mean she should be burdened with all that she already had been through. Her father dying was enough for one person to shoulder.

Hence, why I planned a simple dinner date. To Jack’s, of course, where she would be served the finest in town. That way nothing could go wrong.

Taking a deep breath, I paused, staring at her parents' front door. Since everything went down at the vet clinic two weeks ago, all we had done was talk on the phone. It felt strange that was all that was going on. We kissed, shared something very intimate, and then practically nothing had occurred other than talking.

I shook my head, feeling like a bit of a fool. Adjusting the collar to my vest I wore over my ironed, forest-green pearl snap, I reached forward and rang the doorbell, excited to finally change that. The sound pierced the crisp, wintery night’s air. Christmas lights blinked along the roof of their house, uneven and most likely put up by Tenley herself.

It had been way too long since I laid eyes on her. It had not been my intention to not have any contact other than through the phone, but it took a lot more work than I previously thought it would to deal with the legal things required to wrap the Carly situation. Tenley also became extremely busy at the clinic. Everyone and their dog tried to make sure that they got in before the holiday season. Then, on top of all of that, getting things settled for winter at the ranch kept me occupied, but that wasn’t an excuse.

I should’ve put a little more effort into actually seeing her.

So yes, nothing could go wrong tonight.

Stomping some more snow off of my boots, I grimaced, realizing I hadn’t removed my spurs. But before I could bend down and unbuckle the leather straps, the door lock disengaged.

It swung open, and I quickly hid the flowers I brought her behind my back.

Bright, emerald eyes raised to meet mine; a shy, innocent smile spread across the most beautiful face I’d ever laid eyes on, and I let myself ogle for a brief moment. She blinked rapidly, her long lashes coated in just the right amount of mascara.

Dark brown curls draped beautifully over her shoulders, cascading down her back and ending just at the hem of her jeans. The kind that were tight until about the knees and then flared out wide. She paired them with a tight fitting, cream sweater that had the cutest snowflakes embroidered on it.

Her outfit hugged her figure; there was a softness about her that hadn’t been there when I first met her. She had also gained a little weight, which made her all the more beautiful. I definitely wasn't going to complain; I really liked it—extra to hold.

And as I opened my mouth to speak, she squealed, overjoyed, and launched herself into my arms.

Staggering backwards on the slippery snow, I grunted, attempting to maintain my balance. I reached out with one hand, holding her against me with the other, and grasped for something. Anything that I could grab onto to keep us upright.

But I failed.

“Oh. My gosh,” Tenley gasped, digging her fingers into my neck as I hooked my hand back under her legs, and we crashed onto the ground.

Splaying out against the icy pavement, my lungs collapsed as moisture began soaking into my back. I kept Tenley cradled against my chest, holding her off of the wet concrete. Gasping for oxygen, I laid still, attempting to regain some sort of control over my breathing.

“Weston…,” she whispered, pushing herself upright a little as I closed my eyes, and finally managed to take in a nice, deep gulp of air.

“Hey, darling,” I muttered, biting back a chuckle.

“I did not mean to knock you over,” she stated, and slipped her hands behind my neck. Hoisting my head from the ground, she jerked it back and forth. “Are you good?” she asked, frantically. “Can you move everything?”

I cracked open my eyes, and grinned. Concern was etched deeply on her face and I reached upward, brushing some of her hair from her beautiful, soft features. “How’s the side doing?” I asked, my eyes drifting down to where she was shot.

She pursed her lips. “I’m fine. It was a light graze so just a little scar left. But this isn’t about me! Are you okay?”

I shook my head, smiling as she ran her fingers through my hair, looking for wounds. “Tenley, I’m okay.”

She sighed and pushed against my pecs, sliding off of me, and rose to her feet. I sat up, a shiver running down my back as it was exposed to the winter chill, and I grimaced. “Though, I don’t think your flowers are.” I reached behind me, and lifted the crumpled plastic wrapped around smashed, yellow honeysuckles from the ground.

She placed a hand over her mouth. “You got me flowers? I smooshed my own flowers?” She pushed her bottom lip out as I stood up, stretching the rather sad looking gift out to her.

She gently slid them from my hands, delicately trying to see if any of them survived.

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