AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She spent the entire ride trying to divine that answer, trying to hold on to a lingering anger over his mistrust of her. When they pulled into the cabin driveway, she was no closer to understanding him than when the plane had touched down at the airport.
David opened her door. Once she stepped out, he handed her bag to her. “Mr. Barrett said to go right in.” He got back in the driver’s seat.
“Wait, you’re not staying?”
“No, ma’am.” He looked rather pleased to be getting out of there. “I’ll be in Cripple Creek if you need me. You have my number.” He backed out faster than he needed to and disappeared down the road. With a shake of her head, Rowan turned to the door. Now that she was here, any confidence she’d shored up during the flight disappeared, replaced by an overwhelming sense of dread.
She loved Gerard with a passion she’d never known before. Walking through the door would either deliver her heart’s desire or slam her face into a granite reality. The only way to find out was to open it.
Taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders, Rowan opened the door and stepped inside. The main room was empty, which was kind of anti-climactic. She set her bag down when movement at the kitchen window caught her attention. Gerard stood outside, watching her.
She walked through the kitchen and stood in front of the sink. Even through the window, she could see he’d lost sleep. Like she had. He looked toward the door, then back at her. Wow. The most assured man she’d ever met didn’t seem to know what to do.
All the anger and pain inside her faded away. There was nothing but this moment, this new beginning, and Rowan knew what she had to do. She took the first step. Walked to the patio door and outside.
He watched her with wary eyes. Rowan didn’t stop. She walked right up to him and, needing to touch him, raised a hand to his cheek.
He flinched.
“I’m not going to slap you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“You’d have every right to.”
Yes, but that didn’t matter now. All that mattered was that she was here with the man she loved. Hopefully, they’d get another chance, and if they did, she damn sure was going to do it right this time.
“I’ve missed you.”
The misery in his eyes lightened. He held her hand to his cheek. “We need to talk.”
“Yes.” But first— She stood on tiptoes and pulled his head down to hers. She kissed him, a light peck. “I needed that.”
He rolled a strand of her hair around his finger. “I needed that more.”
He stepped back and held out his hand. Rowan put hers in his and let him lead her to the chairs where they’d made their pact. She chuckled.
“What’s funny?”
“I was just thinking about how naïve we both were, deciding that we could have sex without it interfering with business.”
“I’ve never been called naïve in my life, but you’re right.”
His voice rolled over her like a warm shower after a day in the snow. God, she’d missed talking to him. Listening to him.
She sat in one of the Adirondack chairs. He let go of her hand, and she almost grabbed it back. Now that she was here, she needed that touch. He wasn’t gone for long though. He pulled the other chair toward her, sat, and reached for her hand, cupping it between his.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you.”
Wow. The man had a lot of pride. Rowan figured she’d need to drag that statement out of him. Rowan had spent the flight and drive shoring up her defenses, readying her arguments, and preparing to fight for them. Maybe he’d done the same thing.
For the first time since the night he’d shown up at her condo, a glimmer of hope eased the ache in her heart.
“Thank you for that.”
“You shouldn’t forgive me so easily. I assumed guilt over innocence. I should have trusted you.”
“True. I’m glad you’ve recognized that. You’ve spoken to my mother, I presume.”
Gerard looked down at the stone patio, then back up. “I don’t expect you to believe me, but I planned to get you here to the cabin so we could talk before she ever contacted me.”
