Page 133 of Thaw My Heart

“Does she?”

“Yup.”

If only Ryker could hear this.

“She tried to convince me that she doesn’t like him, but that’s clearly not the case.”

“I’m sure she’s just conflicted about her feelings for him because of her boyfriend,” I suggest.

“Yeah, maybe.” She fiddles with her horseshoe necklace.

“If it makes you feel better, I think Ryker truly likes her. In a way, I’ve never seen him like someone before.”

“He’d be better for her than Josh…” Her nose twitches.

“But?” I can tell by her voice that something is lingering on her mind.

She sighs. “Averie’s not a rancher. She doesn’t want this lifestyle.”

And Ryker loves it here. It’s his whole life. I squeeze her hand. “Maybe it’s good she’ll be in Nashville for a while.”

Time and distance could only be good for them both.

She nods, and silence passes between us. A quiet moment as storms whirl around inside her head. I can feel her anxiety growing as our homes pop up over the hill.

She reaches her free hand to her bruised cheek, lightly touching the deep purple marks.

“He’s not coming back,” I murmur, assuring her.

“…What did you do to him?”

I smile. “Something poetic.”

She traces patterns on my hand. “I don’t know why I feel this way. I shouldn’t care.” She pauses. “It’s just… I did love him once. I know that doesn’t make any sense, but he wasn’t always such a⁠—”

“Massive shitbag?”

She laughs. “Yeah, that. When I first met him, he was nice to me. Promised me the world… I spent my whole life feeling unlovable, growing up in a family that resented my brother and me. Then I met Markus.” She pauses, fiddling her hand in mine. “But once I married him, he changed. For the longest time, I thought it was my fault. That I was the reason he hit me.”

My grip tightens on the steering wheel.

“But still… I wasn’t strong enough to leave him. I was too afraid.” Her shoulders sag.

We pull up to our cozy spot on the ranch. I put my truck in park, turning it off. Bandit stands, staying on the porch, watching. Waiting patiently with excited eyes. Evening light filters in through my truck windows, casting a soft glow around us.

“Do you want to know what I think?” I ask her.

She turns towards me, eagerly awaiting my answer.

“After all you’ve been through, Sadie. You didn’t let the world break you. I think that’s what I admire about you the most. Your strength, and your fearless heart.” I squeeze my hand in hers, reminding her that I’m never going to let go.

Her smile brings warmth to her cheeks, blooming down to her chest. A moment passes, and she drifts somewhere in her mind, expression going dark. “My real name is Emma North,” she admits, not able to meet my eyes. “I’m sorry I lied to you. About everything.”

None of that matters to me. I know her heart, and that’s more than a name. “Which name do you prefer?”

I’ll call her whatever she wants.

She smiles, a smile bright and warm like sunshine. “I like it when you call me Sadie.” Her eyes drift down and back up again, filling my body with heat. “And Tequila,” she admits with a fiery look in her eyes.