Page 33 of Where She Belongs

Jason went back to the saw. Rylee’s grin dimmed at the edges. Whatever his brother had muttered, it hadn’t been aimed at her, and it hadn’t been friendly either.

She turned her attention to Tate. “Well?”

Tate jerked his head toward the barn. She glanced that way then moved toward it before disappearing inside.

Her squeal of delight reached both him and his brother.

Jason shot Tate an annoyed look but Tate could only shrug even as his own smile remained plastered to his face. He’d been right. Rylee loved his little surprise.

In seconds, Rylee was out of the barn with a baby bird clutched in her hands. “They’re so cute!”

Tate slid his hammer into his tool belt and strode toward her. She didn’t move. Didn’t back away. Not as he closed the distance between them and not when he placed his hands on her shoulders. She was lit up with it.

Her lips parted on a single word. “Why?”

He dipped his head so he could look her squarely in the eyes. “I’m going to help you find your happiness.”

A flash of white teeth and a giggle was all he needed as thanks. She didn’t have to say a word. And she didn’t. Instead, she backed away. Then turned to head once more into the barn.

Another couple of hours passed before Jason finally took his leave. There were only a few more finishing touches that Tate had to put on the coop and he did them on his own. He was cleaning up when Rylee made another appearance.

She stood on her porch with the light of the house at her back as the sky darkened. Her arms were folded atop the railing as she watched him put the last thing in the back of his truck.

He turned to face her, leaning against his truck with a grin. He could barely make out her pretty features, so it was fair to assume the same would apply to her.

“You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

He loved the sound of her. It seemed to ride the evening breeze and wrap around him in a swirl of color. This wasn’t the Rylee he knew from his childhood. The rough-and-tumble kid who was determined to keep up with him. This wasn’t the kid who made a bet that she wouldn’t fall behind no matter how fast he and Jason rode their bikes.

No, the woman before him was that and so much more.

Her determination. Her grit. And her sense of humor. He could still see her ability to roll with the punches.

“I wouldn’t call it ridiculous,” he hedged.

“Oh yeah, what would you call it?”

He pushed away from the truck and trudged toward her. He had to lift his chin to keep his eyes on her and he chose to remain with his feet firmly planted on the ground as he gazed up at her. “I’d say I’m… philanthropic.”

She barked out a laugh. “You would, would you?”

He chuckled, lifting his arms out at his sides and gesturing around them. “Let’s see. I chased away the monsters in your basement.”

“Nightmare isn’t a monster.”

He bit back a laugh. “No, but you literally named her after a bad dream.”

She snickered. “Okay, fair point.”

Then he cocked his head. “The barn is coming along well, right? You’re going to need it if you plan on getting that miniature cow.”

Rylee threw her head back with another laugh. “Not happening, Tate.”

“I don’t know. I just might have to find you one to convince you to stay. You don’t know just how cute those little buggers can be.”

She bit on her lip. “Maybe I’d rather get a potbellied pig.”

“That could be arranged.”