AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Leave it like that?” I ask, knowing what she means but too much of a wuss to accept it.
“When I leave town.” She chuckles. “I know I’m in bad shape now but I have a plan.”
I roll my eyes, still teasing. “I’m sure it’s one hell of a plan.”
“It needs fine-tuning, but yes. I know what my interests are, I just need to… find these interests a good home, so to speak.”
"Your interests involve books and purple boots. What exactly do you plan on doing with that? Teaching literature in Texas?"
Her small laugh makes my stomach flip. "No, my cowgirls can be worn anywhere and literature sounds too…grown up." Her eyes drift up and to the side. "I'm thinking more like the children's museum in Denver. An apartment with a quaint coffee shop right downstairs. I thought about teaching kindergarten at one point but I don't want to deal with messes…and math."
This makes me chuckle. "So no subtracting using apples and oranges. Got it. Your options are limited then."
She shrugs. "I'll figure it out."
“Before or after hitting your birthday bucket list?”
I’ve been holding onto this question—or some form of it—for too long. And if she’s spilling, I’m listening.
Her eyes widen. “You know about that?”
“Heard something about it.”
“Do you…know what’s on it?” She squirms like she’s embarrassed. And that’s exactly why she’s not fucking ready.
For someone to touch her in places I never got to. I never deserved to.
“Might of heard something about you getting naked.”
Her eyes bulge.
“And jumping in a lake,” I add quickly.
She shifts and I pull away to give her space. Needing coffee myself, I turn toward the counter.
“Yes. That’s one of them…” she says cautiously like I'm about to judge her.
I can’t keep staring at her the way I have been. But it’s so damn hard when she’s as beautiful as ever. Vulnerable as ever. The lock I placed around my heart after Elliot’s death starts to crack the way only this woman manages to.
I swallow hard to cease the pull between us in its tracks. I need to remind us both of the thing that separates us.
At least in her mind…
“Sounds like you're well on your way to achieving all your dreams." My tone shifts and it's ice cold. "In regards to your apology, since we’ve called a truce for the sake of my brother and Pepper, I accept it.”
My chest tightens because it doesn't get more backhanded than that.
The light in her eyes from moments ago disappears but she manages a small smile. "Thanks."
Yeah, Noah. Thanks for being a complete ass about it.
After breakfast, I show her around the place, starting with the back porch since it’s closest to the kitchen. I hang out by the back door as she roams the elevated deck carefully, taking in the view. I may be biased but this is the best view of the mountains in Hideaway Springs. With the evergreen trees down below and the serenity of the flowing river, it’s my favorite spot in the house.
“This…is…really something,” she says, breathing in the Spring air.
“For someone who reads a lot, your adjectives are lacking.”
“Yeah, well, give me a break.” She limps back to me. “I’m on pain meds.”
