Page 68 of Trying Not to Need You

Baylor’s SUV is in my driveway when I get home. I park my truck and just stare at her vehicle that’s parked next to me. I had to drive a couple of towns over this afternoon to a riding school that’s leasing a few of my horses. They’re new and didn’t want to invest in their own until they could see if the school was going to take off. I had to make a surprise check-in to make sure they’re taking proper care of them, and they were, thankfully. That’s not always the case.

Anyway, my day isn't what’s important. How I’m ending it is. I’m coming home to her, and it’s the best damn feeling in the world. Giving her a key to my place last month was the best decision I ever made, thanks to nights like this one. Nights when I pull into my driveway with the soft glow of the lights on inside, and I know my girl is in there, making herself at home.

It’s as if I’m living my dream, and I hope like hell I never wake up. Some might say, I lived it—being a professional bull rider with a few championships under my belt—but it’s not my career that defines me, but those I spend my life with. My life with Baylor means more to me than my career ever could.

Grabbing my phone, I climb out of the truck and head inside. I find Baylor in the kitchen, making dinner. She’s at the stove with her back to me, so I sneak up behind her, wrapping her in my arms and kissing her neck. “Missed you today,” I tell her.

She turns her head and kisses me. It’s just a quick peck, but I’ll take anything she’s willing to give me. “I missed you, too. It was a busy day at the inn. The Hendersons’ big family reunion is this weekend, so relatives are already starting to check in. We’re at capacity through Sunday.”

“That’s great.”

“It is.” She nods. “My sisters and I have talked about adding some cabins to the property to have some extra space, and one day, I assume that all of us will be living on our own, and we’ll have our house we can use, as well.”

“How do you feel about that?” I ask, releasing her and leaning against the counter to face her.

She shrugs. “I have mixed emotions, but if we’re not living there, then it would be foolish not to use it for extra income to grow the estate. Our grandparents don’t want to live there. It’s way too much house for them. They prefer their suite at the back of the inn, so it’s the logical next step.”

“Yeah, but I know that will still be hard on all four of you.”

“That’s life, though, right? We just have to keep living, hoping that the choices we make… that they’re proud of us.”

“They are,” I assure her. “What can I do to help?”

“I made us salads. They’re in the fridge. Can you grab those and drinks?”

“On it.” I kiss her cheek and get to work.

“Did I ever tell you what Ellison told us on girls’ night?”

“I don’t think so,” I say, placing our bowls of salad and a bottle of dressing on the table before starting our drinks, while Baylor makes us both a plate of spaghetti.

“So, apparently, our mom hid Copeland’s letters.” She goes into the entire story while we eat.

“Damn.”

“Yeah. Ellison didn’t know how to tell us and didn’t want to tell me over the phone. I assume that’s why Copeland hasn’t told you or the guys, or I assume he hasn’t. She wasn’t ready to talk about it with us, and I understand that. I don’t know how I would feel if Mom had done that to me.”

“No, he hasn’t mentioned it. I can see why. I’m sure this is hard for both of them, especially Ellie.”

“Yeah, so—I love my parents, and I miss them, but I’m mad at them, you know? How could they interfere like that?”

“I don’t know, Bay. I can’t begin to imagine what she was thinking. I mean, at least she wrote a letter, explaining that it was her and giving her a reason the best way that she could.”

“I guess. I just hate that they lost so much time.”

“I know, baby, but look at them now. Maybe it wasn’t their time yet. Just like it wasn’t ours yet, but here we are.” I lean over and peck a kiss on her cheek, and I’m rewarded with a smile.

“Yeah, I know you’re right, but it still stings.”

“You’ve been holding on to this for the last few weeks. You know you can talk to me about anything.”

“I know I can, and I love you for that. I just wasn’t ready, I guess. I’m still processing it myself. I know Ellie has to still be struggling.”

“It can be hard to get held up on the past, but life is about living and making mistakes. They were meant to be, and the universe brought them back together. The universe brought me you, and I’m a firm believer in that. You can’t convince me otherwise.”

“So, it had nothing to do with your stubborn nature or your dedication to making me fall in love with you?” she teases.

“Oh, that, too. I was a man on a mission, but all that hard work and singular focus paid off. Now, I get to call you mine, and know that you feel it, too.”