Page 136 of Thaw My Heart

I move her hair over her shoulder, drifting my fingers along her collarbone. Goosebumps form on her skin at my touch. “Well, it’s a crime we’ve become extremely good at.” She laughs, and my hand slides down to her heart. “Right now, all that matters is this. I don’t want to think about anything else.”

“For the lady,” I hand Sadie her favorite drink from Stag and Steam, an iced peppermint mocha with marshmallows on top. A sugary payment for her to get an X-Ray this morning.

“Thank you, Cowboy.” She takes it, grinning from ear to ear, immediately popping a marshmallow in her mouth.

She thought I was being ridiculous about the whole thing, but I’m not a man to take risks regarding her well-being, and I feel much better knowing that she’s all clear. Besides, with all of my fussing over her, or so she called it, I’m learning how to persuade her stubborn side. Which is an important skill I need to develop for the long future I’m planning with her.

After purchasing Sadie a new phone, finally a phone that’s from the current time period, I drive down Main Street, pulling into the parking lot for our next stop. She takes a deep breath, keeping her eyes on the old courthouse.

“You ready?” I offer my hand for hers.

I know she’s worried about the repercussions of filing for divorce. Worried it’ll anger him even further. But I’d already confirmed this morning that if he ever tries to come back, he’ll never touch her again.

She smiles, taking my hand. “I’m ready.”

A few hours later, we exit the courthouse.

Sadie stops midway down the sidewalk, turning her face to the grey sky, closing her eyes as she breathes in deep. Snowflakes kiss the tip of her nose, melting as they collide with her jacket.

“Are you okay?” I gently ask, placing a hand on her arm. The process for divorce was fairly easy, but I’m sure it brought back painful memories.

Not to mention the bruising on her skin that everyone was staring at, and I know it bothered her.

“Yes,” she smiles, keeping her eyes closed. “Just remembering this moment of pure freedom.” She breathes in deep one more time, exhaling a thick cloud of vapor before turning to me. “And why I never want to get married again.”

Though I understand her feelings, it tugs at my heart, but for her, I smile. She knows I would never hurt her in that way. That I would never be like him.

One day, I’m hopeful her feelings about marriage will change. A crazy thought considering my last proposal went to fucking shit, but something about presenting Sadie with something meaningful makes my heart soar. Getting those papers for the ranch signed tomorrow would be a start.

A proposal I don’t think she’ll run from.

“I’m starving, Cowboy,” she threads her arm through mine.

We find ourselves at The Hollow Hearth, a local restaurant on Silver Lake Drive. A popular place that serves famous farmed elk dishes. As we enter, the aromas of rosemary, buttered biscuits, and wood-burning smoke fill my nose. The warmth from the massive fireplace invites us to sink into the cozy booth in front of it, warming ourselves from the cold chill. Outside, soft snow falls, covering my truck in a thin layer.

Small town, so everyone here knows who I am as soon as we walk in. Faint whispers echo around us as Sadie observes the menu. But I couldn’t care less. Let the whole damn town know that this beautiful woman is mine.

“They serve elk here?” she asks with wide eyes.

I still forget how new she is to my hometown.

“It’s a local delicacy.” Her nose twinges at my response. “I think you’d like the elk and mushroom pot pie,” I offer. “I’ve heard people refer to it as an emotional support pastry.” The buttery, melt-in-your-mouth kind.

She perks up, considering it. “Do they really?” I smile with a nod. “What do you usually get?”

“The smoked hot chili.” Made with slow-simmered elk, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a dash of cocoa. I can’t even remember the last time I had it. Would’ve been some time before I moved to San Francisco and met Dakota.

What a fool I was.

Mabel, a waitress I’ve known since I was a boy, comes up before Sadie can respond. “Kit! It’s been so long, darling. Who’s—” she gasps, taking one look at the bruises around her throat. “Oh, honey, what happened to you?”

She’s known me long enough to know I’m not responsible, but it doesn’t stop her from giving me a strange look, questioning me.

“Oh, no, no. This isn’t from him,” Sadie confirms before I can, waving her hands as if to wipe away the accusation. “This is… well, I got a divorce today. From the asshole who did this,” she gestures to the bruise on her cheekbone.

“Oh, well, thank goodness,” her face lights up in relief. “And good fucking riddance,” Mabel smiles, placing a soft, freshly manicured hand on Sadie’s shoulder. “I was about to take him outside and bury him in a snowbank.”

Sadie smiles, stifling a laugh.