Chapter Six #3
“I thought he might convince you I wasn’t worth the trouble.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Daddy?”
“Any Luttrell.”
“Titus.”
“I know you make your own decisions.”
“Do you?”
I rubbed my thumb over the edge of the step. “I’m learning.”
Shay set down the bottle and turned toward me. “Daddy doesn’t decide whether you’re worth the trouble.”
“That wasn’t exactly an answer.”
“You’re worth a great deal of trouble,” she said.
“That’s encouraging.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
She took my hand between both of hers.
I’d spent years keeping enough distance that no woman had to choose the ranch, the bar, or me when Copper Falls made things difficult. Shay had faced her father on the porch and refused to let anyone move her.
I tightened my hand around hers.
“I’m falling for you, Shay.”
Her fingers tightened around mine.
“Good,” she said. “Because I’m falling for you too.”
I breathed easier.
Shay smiled. “I think it started with the built-in.”
“I thought it started with the list.”
“That was lust and poor aim.”
“Fair.”
“The built-in was when you listened.”
“I remembered number six first.”
“You remember everything.”
“Not everything.”
“Name one thing you forgot.”
I leaned closer. “Why we were arguing.”
“We weren’t arguing.”
“Then I forgot something else.”
She kissed me before I had to invent it.
Her palm rested against my cheek. I held her waist and drew her closer on the step, careful of the water bottle between us.
When the kiss ended, she stayed against me.
“I don’t want to date anyone else,” I said.
“Neither do I.”
“I don’t want this to be temporary.”
“It isn’t.”
“Then we’re exclusive.”
“We are.”
“And we’re not hiding it.”
“I think that opportunity has passed,” Shay said.
“Mayor Luttrell is efficient.”
“He’ll tell Mama before he reaches town. Garrett will receive a business briefing. Bobby will send me another map.”
“What will this one show?”
“Probably the shortest route to Sunday dinner.”
I laughed.
Her voice turned serious. “I’m not moving into the ranch.”
“I didn’t ask you to.”
“I know. I’m saying it because my guesthouse is still my home, and I need the business standing on its own before I change anything else.”
“All right.”
“I’ll still stay with you.”
“I was hoping.”
“Often.”
“That’s better.”
She bumped her shoulder against mine. “You’re very demanding now that we’re exclusive.”
“I’ve been patient for four days.”
“An extraordinary sacrifice.”
We sat together until the dust settled over the road.
Then Shay stood and picked up the water bottle. “The wood filler is drying.”
“That sounded urgent.”
“It is if we want to prime before lunch.”
“You still want to work?”
“I just resigned from a job I haven’t officially resigned from yet. I need to accomplish something before I call Mama.”
I stood beside her. “Tell me what you need.”
Shay smiled.
“Hold the casing.”
We finished the repair, sanded the filled seam, and applied the first coat of primer beneath the porch shade. Shay worked from one end while I covered the other, following her directions about brush pressure and keeping the paint out of the carved corner blocks.
When the three pieces rested clean and pale across the sawhorses, she inspected them from every angle.
“You’re checking it twice,” I said.
“Primer shows every flaw.”
“I followed your instructions.”
“That improves your odds.”
She kept a straight face for one second.
Then both of us laughed.
We cleaned the brushes, sealed the primer, and carried the tools inside. Shay closed the windows, turned off the fan, and checked the thermostat.
“You want to go to the ranch?” I asked.
“I do.”
“We’re taking separate vehicles.”
“I know. My official residence remains inconveniently in the opposite direction.”
“You can stay tonight.”
“I planned to.”
We stepped onto the porch. Shay locked the front door and screen behind us.
At our vehicles, Shay slid her safety glasses into the canvas bag and placed it in the back of her SUV.
“I’m calling Mama from the ranch,” she said.
“That sounds wise.”
“It sounds survivable.”
“You want me nearby?”
“Yes, but you’re not allowed to answer for me.”
“I remember who’s in charge.”
Her voice softened. “Still romantic.”
I opened her driver’s door and waited until she climbed inside.
Shay started the engine and lowered the window. “Try to keep up.”
“I know the road.”
“That wasn’t the question.”
“Yes, Shay. I’m following you.”
She smiled and pulled out first.
Her taillights stayed ahead of mine all the way to the ranch.
When we arrived, Shay parked beside the house and waited until I climbed from my truck. Then she crossed the yard without looking toward the road or checking her phone.
She came straight to me.
I caught her at the waist, and she slid both arms around my neck.
“Still sure?” she asked.
“About you?”
“About us.”
I kissed her before answering, slow enough that she felt the answer before I said it.
“I’m falling harder by the minute.”
Her smile softened against my mouth. “Good. I’d hate to do this alone.”
“You’re not.”
She took my hand and turned toward the ranch house.
She’d chosen me when it counted.
I intended to spend every day choosing her back.