Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
This couldn’t be happening.
Hallie had to be dreaming. Not even four hours ago she’d seen Jacob on the television screen as he’d prepared for his round at the finals.
But now he was here.
In the flesh.
Yep, she was definitely dreaming.
Several gasps ricocheted through the air around her and her eyes darted to each of the girls in the room. Everyone was staring at the door where Sammie was still standing but they were zoned in on the visitor who hadn’t stepped over the threshold yet.
It wasn’t until someone shoved her shoulder then shoved it again while hissing, “Hallie, go.” that she startled and turned to find Faith grinning at her. There were stars in her eyes making it absolutely clear she believed in happily ever after and she was excited to be witnessing one take place.
Unfortunately for Faith, Hallie didn’t have the same beliefs.
She’d been burned one too many times. When her eyes swung back to the door, she found Jacob still watching her.
He was bathed in the porch lights and his hand was on the door jamb.
She wouldn’t have been surprised to find that he had supernatural abilities, and that look alone could force her to her feet and bring her toward him.
In the next second, that was exactly what happened.
She balled her hands into fists at her sides, but it wasn’t because she was angry.
No, she was still far too confused right now but she needed to keep her hands to herself and that meant allowing the pain of her fingernails to press into her palms.
“What are you doing here?” she managed to whisper when she reached the open doorway.
Sammie hadn’t moved. Her presence offered a strength that Hallie didn’t have. It was nice to know that there was still someone who would stand by her side when things got tough.
As if Jacob could read her thoughts, he cut a look at Sammie briefly before returning his eyes to meet hers. “Could we… talk alone?”
Sammie stiffened. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Hallie,” she muttered. “If you want him to go, I’ll get Caleb.”
Jacob’s eyes widened with what could only be surprise and maybe a little desperation. He held up both hands in a placating gesture. “I’m not going to do anything to hurt you.”
“Too late for that,” Sammie murmured but there was less bite to it than Hallie would have expected.
What little confidence Jacob might have had faltered. “I just want to talk,” he attempted again.
“Anything you want to say can be said in front of all of us. We know everything, Jacob.” Sammie wasn’t pulling any punches tonight. She’d placed her hands on her hips and stepped closer to Hallie. “You had your chance with one of the most genuine girls on the planet and you blew it.”
Hallie could have kissed Sammie for the way she was standing up for her. She was the best kind of friend and Hallie needed to make sure she knew it.
Later.
When Hallie’s ex wasn’t standing on her doorstep with those puppy-dog eyes.
Why was it so hard to look at him and not wish things had turned out differently? “You broke my heart, Jacob,” she finally managed to whisper.
He didn’t move. She half-expected that he’d try to get her separated from her friends again. Or that he’d make excuses. All of this was so out of the ordinary, though, so maybe her expectations were all wrong.
When he did show signs of life, his eyes flicked first to Sammie then to the girls who’d managed to retain enough control to remain seated in the living room.
The house boasted an open floor plan and the door opened into the big entertaining area which was usually nice but right now Hallie was second guessing whether she wanted everyone to hear what Jacob had to say.
He could very well turn and walk away which would leave her wondering why he’d come all this way. He could slip through her fingers again. Panic clawed at her throat, but she dug those nails in deeper and waited for him to respond.
Jacob found her eyes and cleared his throat. “I was wrong.”
Sammie scoffed. “Obviously. We already went over that.”
He shot her a dark look and Hallie bit back a smile.
Then she turned toward Sammie and prayed her friend got the hint with her own pointed look.
Sammie rolled her eyes before she slipped away to return to the other spectators.
But none of them turned away from the spectacle.
This was probably better than any reality television they liked watching.
Hallie nodded at Jacob. “Go on.” She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she saw a hint of relief and perhaps amusement in Jacob’s gaze.
He tapped his fingers on the door jamb and nodded more to himself than anyone else. “I’ve never… I didn’t know…” He blew out a heavy breath and his expression turned almost pleading. “All my life I’ve only ever wanted one thing.”
She knew where this was going. His career. And she’d never faulted him for it. Not until it came in the way of what she was trying to build with him.
“But you knew that.”
Hallie nodded.
He swallowed hard. “Then you came crashing into my life with your confessions of love. You threw me off my game.” His brows drew together and his voice softened.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I hated that you started to retreat from me.
When you put distance between us, there was this gaping hole that I couldn’t fill and I—I wanted to fix it, but I didn’t know how.
” Jacob lifted his eyes to her. She wondered if he could hear the way her heart galloped, the way it nearly tripped over itself as it raced toward some unknown destination.
Hallie didn’t dare interrupt him. He’d never talked about the time between when she’d told him she liked him and the accident. It was like those weeks didn’t exist.
“I think even then, I was gone for you, Hallie.”
She could feel the burning in her chest start to rise and she knew a blush would soon wrack her body.
But it didn’t stop there. Emotion threatened to escape from behind her eyes, and she got the distinct feeling that even if she shut her eyes tight, there would be no avoiding the tears that needed to break free.
Dang it all! She was gone for him, too and before he’d even done any groveling.
Hallie pressed her lips together tightly, reminding herself she had to remain strong. He needed to fight for her. Probably more than she needed him to, and she needed it a lot. Her trust in him had been shattered.
Jacob lowered his voice to a whisper. “Then I woke up in the hospital, and you were there. My life was altered. I was forced to take a look at everything I’ve worked for and everything I’ve lost. Even though I fought it, fought you, it was easy to believe we could have a future.”
She shook her head at that. “You chose the rodeo, Jacob. You didn’t even give us a chance.”
He took a sudden step toward her and she gasped as his harsh words registered.
“Sacrifices had to be made, Hallie. I couldn’t ask you to come with me.
I couldn’t ask you to leave all of this.
” He flung his arm out in a gesture to encompass her friends.
“You need this support system. It’s what you were born into. It’s what’s good for you.”
“You’re good for me,” she argued, her voice growing heated.
“You’re the one I wanted. Couldn’t you see that?
All I wanted was to be the girl you wanted by your side.
All I wanted was for you to ask me to go on an adventure with you.
” She was trembling and tears were spilling down her cheeks. There. It was all out in the open now.
“You…” His voice cracked and he gripped the back of his neck with both hands before looking skyward. Then he shook his head. “It would have been selfish of me. I already had the career. I couldn’t have the girl, too.”
She barked out a laugh. “Do you hear how ridiculous you sound?”
His eyes dipped to meet hers, the beginnings of a chagrined smile tugging at his lips.
“You should have asked, Jacob.”
“But what about your family? What about your support system?”
Hallie had to fight the urge to roll her eyes. “My support system will always be here. And that’s the point, isn’t it? To support me in what I want.”
“What you… want…” he murmured, his eyes shining.
She took a step toward him. “Yeah, what I want. You should have just asked,” she repeated. Then she shook her head. “No, you should ask.”
His confusion stirred some commotion at her back and Sammie groaned. “Right now, dummy. You should ask her right now.”
He looked directly at her and it seemed like maybe he understood what was going on. There was still something in his expression that made her think he might not believe he was being given another shot.
“You’re not seeing anyone?” His voice had an uncharacteristic squeak that almost made her laugh, but she was able to hold that back.
Sammie groaned again, slapping her forehead with her hand.
Hallie looked confused and that was more than enough to assure him that she wasn’t involved with the guy at the rodeo event.
He swallowed hard and prayed his voice sounded more confident than he felt.
“Do you want to come with me on the road, Hallie?”
She pulled her lower lip free from where her teeth had it caged. “I thought you’d never ask.”
In a swift motion, Jacob scooped her into his arms and spun her in a circle. She threw back her head with a laugh and when he placed her firmly on her feet, he cradled her face in his hands and kissed her.
The kiss stole her breath in ways she’d never experienced. There was something different about the way he was holding her this time. It was like they’d both finally found where their pieces fit.
Together.
When whoops mingled with groans from the onlookers, Jacob released her. He swiped his thumb over her lower lip, his eyes never leaving hers. “You’ve stolen my heart, Hallie.”
She grinned. “Welcome to the club.”
He pulled back from her and glanced over her shoulder toward the others. “You okay if I steal her? She needs to pack and we have to catch a plane.”
“A plane?”
“Yeah, a plane. I still have nine rounds left. And Kai will throw a fit if I miss the next one.”
Sammie made a shooing gesture and Hallie giggled. “I’ll call you later?”
“You better.”
She packed faster than she ever had in her life. Then she wrote a note for her parents, and they were on their way. The plane was smaller than the commercial ones she’d seen but still far too big for just the two of them.
Jacob motioned toward some seats they could take and when she nodded toward the back of the plane with a cocked brow, he chuckled. “There’s a room back there for longer flights. This one is only two hours but if you want a nap, you’re welcome.”
She blushed but opted to sit down beside him.
He held her hand during take-off and caught her up on everything that had happened since he’d broken things off with her. During a lull in the conversation, she jerked upright with a gasp. He startled and stared at her, terrified. “What’s wrong?”
“I have to tell you something.”
“Hallie, I’m so sorry—” Based on the tone of his voice it was clear he was worried about them. Like it hadn’t settled for him yet that she was a sure thing.
She placed two fingers on his lips to cut him off. “Nothing to do with that.” Hallie beamed then. “I won.”
He was confused for only a few seconds. Then his whole face lit up like a Christmas tree. “The photo competition?”
She nodded. “There was a cash prize and a contract to work for the magazine for six months on a trial basis with the opportunity for more work in the future.”
“That’s incredible, Hallie! I knew you could do it.” The way his arms wrapped her into his firm frame made her feel safe. Like nothing could get to her. No more disappointments. No more uncertainties.
He was her safe place.
Her hero.
And maybe that was what he’d always been. Even before he saved her from that charging bull.