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“Hey, you okay?” Maisie asks. Her hand reaching to rest lightly against my bicep.
Spellbinding eyes. So fucking pretty I could get lost in them — I want to get lost in them. Anything to escape this doubt that my job isn’t safe.
She’s so close. The brush of her against my chest quiets the turmoil in me until those lightning struck eyes hold me steady. I drop my forehead to her and relish the press of her skin against mine.
“Yeah, Sunshine. I’m okay.”
And I will be.
Lightly — so damn lightly — I lift my hands to frame her face. Her concerned gaze is stuck on mine, and I drop my mouth to hers in a kiss that’s full of the feelings that I’m scared to put a name to, basking in the taste of her, the feel of her in my hands.
A wolf whistle sounds behind me, breaking the spell. My brothers are all grinning at us, and Jem’s face is covered in a blush.
Guess we got a little carried away.
Duke scoffs and rolls his eyes. “Come on lovebirds, shows starting in ten minutes.” With that, he turns and walks off toward the audience area at the back of the venue grounds.
Maisie’s light laugh is music to my ears, more confidence soaks into the trilling sound.
“It’s never a dull moment around you, sheriff.”
I thread my fingers through hers and tug her behind me after my family.
Little does she know, she’s the excitement. My life before she barreled into it was boring and gray. She’s a sunburst of color, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to keep her safe — with me.
Chapter 26
Maisie
My ears are still ringing when we pull into Harlan’s driveway after the concert.
I might have to change my tune on country music. Whereas I went along for the fun of hanging out with Harlan and his family, the music was actually — good. Which was a surprise to say the least. Every time country has come on the radio while I’ve been driving, I change it to something more to my tastes.
But I might have bought a t-shirt or two on the way out.
Audra’s passed out from the excitement of the day in the back seat and my skin buzzes with the leftover adrenaline of the concerts. I didn’t know any of the songs, so I couldn’t sing along, but I had a blast cheering for each act and laughing my ass off with Harlan and his brothers.
When Jem said Duke was obsessed with Tally Monroe, I kinda assumed it was similar to how I feel about my favorite artists, but I was wrong.
Duke takes the term fanboy to a whole new level, belting out the lyrics and hollering his head off between songs.
“I had so much fun,” I gush to Harlan as he opens my door for me to climb out of the car. My legs don’t want to sit still and there’s so much energy coursing through me. It started right after the first act came on and hasn’t let up since.
“I’m glad.” He loops his arms around my waist and pulls me into his chest in a gesture that I’m starting to love.
Love.
What an odd concept after the last few weeks. I didn’t think that I’d love anything about the opposite gender for a long time.
Harlan pulls out of the hug and gently unbuckles Audra from her seat to lay her on his shoulder. He’s so gentle with both of us. A safe harbor in the storm of life, and that has a different kind of tingle working through me.
The kind of tingle that sends shivers skittering down my spine. The kind that makes me want to feel the warmth of his bare skin pressed to mine. The kind that makes my core heat and clench in want.
My cheeks flush at the thought. I want to laugh and dance and shout in joy at the feeling. I didn’t think I’d ever feel completely normal again — giddy with a crush on the guy that I’m dating. But here I am. A terrific day spent with him and his family where we all had a good time and I’m … happy. There’s no lingering loneliness. No anxiety plaguing my mind. The overactive organ in my skull is at peace here in this tiny town in Idaho, and a large part of it is in thanks to the man cradling my daughter against his chest.
“You’re amazing,” I whisper the words before I can snatch them back.
Harlan’s eyes widen. “What?”
