Dylan’s Redemption(75)

“Sure, honey. Be warned, he’ll touch everything.” She could only nod. “I’ll put these groceries away and meet you out there. I’d love to see your workshop.”

Jessie didn’t know what to do now that they were here, in her house. She took Will by the hand and led him to the front door.

Dylan didn’t let her get away from him so easily. He handed the grocery bags over to Greg and stopped Jessie before she passed him. He grabbed her wrist and turned her to him.

“Not even going to kiss me hello.” He didn’t wait for her to answer, simply leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. He pulled back just a fraction of an inch, enough to look into her eyes. Then he kissed her again and made sure she knew how hungry he was for her. He ended the kiss by touching his forehead to hers. He held the side of her head and looked into her wary eyes. “I’ve missed you.”

“You saw me yesterday.”

He gave her that cocky half grin she’d missed so much. “I missed you.”

Those words were meant to convey a lot more than not seeing her for a day. He’d missed her a lot longer. She wanted to tell him she’d missed him too. She wanted to tell him she thought of him all the time and stayed up nights watching the road to her house, remembering their night together and hoping to one day see him drive up the road ending at her house.

It made her nervous to think he already knew. How could he not? Being here, at her home on the very land where their lives had come together and been torn apart, he knew how deeply she’d longed for him. Why else would she still be here waiting for him? And he knew it.

Will pulled her arm toward the door. So much easier to go with him than take a step toward Dylan.

“Come on. I want to see,” Will said, tugging on her.

Dylan let her go. She passed him, but his hand softly slid down her arm to her hand before their fingers touched and dropped away.

Greg unpacked grocery bags in the kitchen, not even trying to hide his huge smile. “So, what’s your plan of attack?” Greg asked.

“Every time she turns around, she’ll find me. I figure the only way for her to believe I’m not leaving, and I want her with me always, is to make sure she knows I’m here, all the time.”

“That sounds like a good plan. Are you going to talk to her about the fact she built her house here?”

“I’m blown away. She really has been torturing herself, since she left all those years ago.”

“You should see what’s in the garage,” Greg said half under his breath, intriguing Dylan.

“What’s in the garage?”

“Cars. What else would she keep in the garage?” He smiled wickedly. “You know, I never really believed there was one person out there for each of us. Not until I met her. For her, there’s only you. You’re the only man she sees and loves. The rest of us are just people to her, and a few, like Dad and me she calls friends. You are the only man that’s been in her life since she was young. Remember that.

“Listen, man, I’m out of here. Take care of her. Her heart’s as beat up as her body. Go out to the barn. See what an amazing woman she is.”

“I already know how amazing she is. That’s why I’m not letting her go.”

“Good. I expect to be best man at the wedding. Dad will walk her down the aisle. Nothing would please us more than to see her happy.”

“That’s all I want, to make her happy.”

“I believe you will.” He looked out the door toward the barn. Dylan followed his gaze. “Go slow with the whole mother thing. That area is still raw and sensitive. She only got to be a mother for five days. Will is going to remind her of how much she lost. Give her time to adjust.”

“I’ve already spoken to Will about calling her ‘Mommy.’ He’s determined to have her.”

“Just like his dad.” Greg slapped him on the shoulder and they walked out the front door. “I hope this works out, for the both of you.”

Dylan intended to make sure it did.





Chapter Twenty-Six



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DYLAN WALKED INTO the barn through one of the oversize doors and waited while his eyes adjusted to the darker interior. Will and Jessie stood off to the right beside a large cabinet. Will hid inside the bottom door and Jessie pretended she’d lost him.

“Will,” she called. “Where are you? You disappeared.”

The door flung open and Will peeked his head out. “No, I didn’t. I’m hiding.” He giggled.

“Oh my goodness.” Jessie yelped, pressing her hand to her chest. “You scared me. I thought I’d lost you.”