Page 58 of Seaside Cowboy's Fairy Tale

His inner defenses must be down because he’d let the proverbial cat out of the bag. Well, as long as that cat didn’t chase Rachel’s mice. “I love her.”

“Wow. I don’t say that word often, but this calls for it. If you love her, then why is word going around the family that you broke up? People aren’t happy about that, by the way. Especially Mom.”

“I’m among those people.” Pain ricocheted inside him. He closed his eyes, imagining Rachel’s lovely face in that gray cap that tried to but couldn’t hide her beauty and that smile, all the more precious because of how rare it was. Everything in him was begging to see her again, but he couldn’t risk her life.

“Why don’t you tell her the truth?”

“Because as courageous as she is, she’d be barging in here, determined to protect me.” What a woman she was! “I’d rather have her angry with me and alive than, you know...” No way could he saythataloud. He shuddered.

There was a pause again. “Man, I don’t know what to say. Just if you ever need us, you know you only have to say the word. We’re here for you.”

Warmth swelled his chest. “I know. And same here.”

“You think you always have to be strong. But you don’t have to be.”

After disconnecting, Tex stared at the wall without noticing all the certificates of accomplishments. He tapped his fingers on the massive hand-carved cherrywood table that like many other carefully chosen things in the room was meant to impress investors and clients.

Something about what Darius had said struck a chord. After being made to feel weak and small while growing up, Tex had done everything he could to erase that image from his memory, to appear strong and capable. He’d accomplished that, much more than he’d dreamed of.

But what if, deep inside, he still couldn’t forget that childhood trauma? Yes, he’d left home to achieve things, but Charleston wasn’tthatfar from the ranch. Had he mostly avoided going home because the people there, the closest people to him, might’ve remembered him as weak?

He’d told Darius the truth about his feelings for Rachel and the reason for staying away now. But what if there was more to it? Had it bothered him on a subconscious level that she’d been protecting him instead of the other way around? That she’d saved his life three times instead of him saving hers, being a hero in her eyes?

He got up and paced the room, his high-polished shoes whispering over the expensive burgundy carpet.

How hadn’t he seen it before?

He needed to accept that what happened in his childhood hadn’t been his fault and find strength in weakness. He needed to realize he didn’t need to prove anything to anyone. And to be worthy of Rachel’s love, he needed to admire her for the amazing, brave woman she was. Her abilities in fighting or shooting didn’t diminish him. Her strength complemented his instead of threatening his... his masculinity, maybe?

Of course, she might not give him a chance again, and his heart hurt.

He should’ve brought the stray dog he’d named Tiny Tim in here, and they could cheer each other up. But today, he’d placed Tiny Tim with a trainer in obedience school after he’d shredded several important documents, barked long enough to keep the condominium building awake at night, reupholstered the leather sofa and chairs, and redesigned all Tex’s leather jackets by chewing them up. The dog, not the trainer, though Tex had no idea about that person’s diet.

Tex’s heart constricted. He missed the dog already and would bring him to work tomorrow. And he couldn’t blame Tiny Tim for eating everything in sight after being starved for so long.

To distract himself, he pulled up his email again. A new email from today he’d left to check for later was from Jennifer about the donations for the charity gala.

He opened it.

Good afternoon, Mr. Lawrence.

During this year’s charity gala, a larger list of donors wanted to remain anonymous. One such donor made a sizeable donation right before the gala. In light of recent events, I thought you might like to know her name was Rachel Arvidson. My apologies for not bringing it to your attention sooner.

Then Jennifer mentioned the impressive amount Rachel donated.

He whistled as he stared at the computer screen and blinked a few times in case fatigue was playing tricks on him. That couldn’t be right. This just couldn’t be right.

He’d seen the tiny apartment she rented and the humble way she dressed. The beater car she drove only seemed to start after three tries, much sweet-talking, and rounds of prayers. Besides the charity ball where she’d worn a disguise provided by the client, her nails seemed to have never met a manicurist. So he’d assumed...

He shook his head as if he could shake away the surprise. One of the first rules he’d learned in business had been to never assume. Unlike at the ranch, things weren’t always the way they appeared to be. In fact, they rarely were.

He didn’t care about her status and loved her for who she was. He’d proudly introduce her to the cream of society. She was worth more than any embellishments or expensive jewelry. But she was even more amazing than he’d first realized.

She didn’t donate because she wanted recognition or gratitude like many other people had. While some loved to bask in the light of their own magnanimous generosity, she’d contributed anonymously. Just like Austin, who’d never even asked for a simple thank you while caring for abandoned pets and strays in the animal shelter. Well, the animals probably thanked him, but it was difficult to understand barks and meows, and reptilian pets didn’t talk at all.

Then Tex realized something else. The reason he’d fallen for her so fast and so deeply wasn’t because of her strength but because of her kindness, even if she tried to hide it since some people took kindness as a sign of weakness. He smiled at the kind way she treated her mice or fed birds or shielded people who couldn’t defend themselves.

Since being beaten as a child and then fighting his way into the ruthless business world, he’d hardened his heart and hadn’t allowed himself to feel much or love at all.

---