“Something like that.”
“Let’s hope I live up to the girlfriend expectations.”
“You’re better than anything I ever expected.”
“I’m not fishing for more compliments.”
“I never thought you were. What I said is true.”
“This from the man who never dates, according to his brothers.”
“Not never. I just don’t see the point in running through a string of women who aren’t the right woman.”
“How do you know they weren’t the right woman if you didn’t take the time to get to know them?”
“I don’t know. How is it that the moment I met you I knew it was right? You felt it, too.”
She nodded. “Still, you never really dated?”
“Just because my brothers didn’t know about it, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I’m a guy. I like women. What about you?”
“I dated a few guys off and on over the years. Nothing serious.”
“Until now?”
The bold question should have made her nervous, but she answered without a single flutter of nerves. “Yes. Until you.”
“Good. Then let’s finish this and go for our ride.”
“That sounds a lot better than doing this. You take the cash. I’ll put these papers together and make a couple of calls.”
“Don’t you want to deposit this money in your bank account to pay bills and stuff?”
“No. That’s for you. I know it doesn’t cover everything—”
Rory placed his finger over her lips, cutting off her words. “Stop. I am so damn tired of this.”
She didn’t move from his touch, but cocked up one eyebrow.
“You didn’t need to give me your horses, the money, and clean my house. Yes, the cattle theft set me back, but it didn’t ruin me. I don’t want any more money. I don’t want you working at my place. I just want you. Don’t you get that yet?”
She nodded because he still held his finger against her lips.
“Good. Now pack your stuff and let’s go home.”
He took his hand away, but she still didn’t say anything. Did he hear what he just said to her? Let’s go home. She was home. This was her house, but it didn’t feel the same. She didn’t really want to live here alone. In fact, she wanted to be with him. Always. He hadn’t asked her to move in. Not in so many words, so what did he expect going forward?
She didn’t know, but tonight she’d be sleeping in his bed, and she didn’t intend to be there alone.
“I’ll be ready in a few minutes.” It surprised her—in a good way—that she was ready to move on with her life with him. Yes, she grieved for her father. The ache sat heavy in her chest even now, but over time it would lessen. She’d learn to smile without having to try. She’d be happy again without feeling guilty.
CHAPTER 23
Rory put the last sandwich in the insulated bag and zipped it shut. He stared out the window at Sadie in her tight jeans, brown boots, and pink long-sleeved shirt with her hair blowing in the wind. She stood next to the corral watching her herd of horses romping around, showing off for her. Lost in her thoughts, she tilted her face to the wind and sun.
“She looks a little sad,” Colt commented, coming to stand beside him. “Did everything go all right at her place?”
“Collecting her things and getting her father’s paperwork was the easy part. Watching her struggle with her emotions, not so much. The DEA agent riding her for answers didn’t help.”
“DEA. Do they think she’s involved with her brother?”
“No. They want her help to bring him in.”
“If he won’t listen to her, what can she really do?”
“Exactly. It’s inevitable he’ll get caught or killed. She’d rather have him behind bars than dead, of course, but he doesn’t trust her anymore. Unless he calls her again, she can’t do anything, including wasting her breath trying to find out where he is and convince him to turn himself in.”
“Where are you two off to?”
“Listen, man, I know I’ve been absent a lot and you and Ford have been carrying the load around here.”
“Hey, I don’t mind. Neither does Ford. You want to spend time with your girl, be my guest. You’ve covered for us, hell you’ve toed the line and sacrificed a hell of a lot more than we have. If this is your chance for something with her, take it.”
“You really like her?”
“She makes you happy, I’m happy.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Do you have everything you need?” Colt’s gaze settled on the old quilt Rory had rolled up to take along.