Page 78 of Cautious Love

“I think so, but I don’t want to disappoint her.”

“I’d ask her. You have a plan, but you also want to make sure she’s comfortable. Give her the choice, and then you can go from there.”

I pull my phone back out. “That’s what I was thinking, thanks man.”

He nods and gravel crunches behind us.

“Good luck,” he says and saunters past me towards June’s truck.

Ledger: I need to ask you something.

Criminal: That’s … ominous

Ledger: I asked you out on a date, and I’m going to make good on that but… I want to give you the choice.

Criminal: I do like options.

Ledger: We can go out of town for dinner, or I can cook for you at home.

Criminal: At home, no question.

I smile at the phone.

Ledger: I have every intention of a proper date with you, criminal.

Criminal: And I have every intention of corrupting you, Sheriff

Ledger: Impossible

Criminal: There is a reason they say never say never

Ledger: I wasn’t saying never

Criminal: Good because I like a challenge

Ledger: Trust me, I’m not a challenge

Criminal: LOL so you’re implying you’re easy?

I chuckle to myself because I walked right into that one.

Ledger: Maybe only when it comes to you

Criminal: Good answer

Smiling I slip my phone into my pocket and head inside. The house is already buzzing and loud, Naomi is chattering to Dad in the living room and Fletcher is rubbing Tatum’s feet on the couch.

I scoot into the kitchen and find Mae helping Mom, and Cooper watching Mae help Mom as he drinks a beer.

A breath later June, Sterling, and Gracie come stumbling in behind me, and I find a seat at the dinner table. This house has always been chaos, which is likely part of the reason I’ve always strived for everything else in my life to be organized and thorough, but sometimes a little chaos is a good thing.

“Ledger Mason Hayes,” my mother says.

Chapter 20

Ledger

Ialmoststandatattention at her tone. Standing from my chair, I kiss her on the cheek.“Hi Mama,” I mutter.