“I thought I’d take her on a picnic to cheer her up.”
“Is that what they call it now?”
“Shut up.” Rory shoved Colt away. “You’re just jealous.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“You ever going to tell me what the deal is with you and Luna? She is Sadie’s best friend, you know?”
“Did Luna say something to Sadie and she told you?” The fear that Rory would disapprove of whatever it was showed in Colt’s eyes.
“No.”
“Well, that’s something.”
“What would she say?”
Colt shrugged. “Right now, I don’t know. Something happened. Something I didn’t mean to happen, something that shouldn’t have happened, but it did, and now I’m not sure if it really was a bad thing.”
“If you feel this bad about it, maybe you should apologize. Maybe she’ll change her mind about you.”
“You think she would?”
“Give her a reason to change her mind.”
Colt walked out without another word, but the thoughtful look in his eyes said Rory might have gotten through to him.
While Colt needed to change a woman’s mind, Rory hoped his woman didn’t change hers about staying here. Right now, she had clothes hanging in his closet and filling two of his drawers. He didn’t mind making room for her. In fact, his room felt different now. He used to go up there and dread sleeping alone. Now he couldn’t wait for night to come so he could hold her, make love to her, and wake up to her beautiful face each morning.
He might have lost his mind taking things this fast, but he didn’t care. He wanted her. He needed her. Being without her anymore just wasn’t an option.
“Heading out?” his grandfather asked. He went to the coffeepot and poured himself a mug.
“Yeah. We’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
“Have fun. Looks like she needs some.”
“Granddad, I didn’t ask . . . I just moved her in here, and . . .”
“Hey, this is your house, son. I just live here. You don’t need my permission to do anything that makes you happy. I’m glad to see things are changing in this house and in your lives.”
“Yeah, maybe all your pushing and prodding for us to settle down had some merit. Don’t tell Ford and Colt I said that.”
“Never. And Rory, it’s not about settling down, it’s about being with someone who makes you the best you. I think she does that for you. If you think so, too, then hold on to her.”
“I’m trying.” Rory tucked the quilt under his arm and picked up their lunch bag.
“Take one of the walkies. With all the trouble that’s gone on, you can’t be too careful.”
“We’re not going that far, but you’re right. I’ll grab one on my way out.”
Sadie rode beside Rory down the long trail. She had no idea where he planned to stop for their picnic. She didn’t really care. She loved being out on the land on horseback, nothing but wind, trees, and sunshine. She stared up at the sparse white fluffy clouds overhead. A beautiful day. The perfect afternoon for a picnic with a gorgeous cowboy.
“Are you falling asleep back there?”
Sadie brought her face back down and stared at Rory in front of her. “Just enjoying the day and the sights.”
“See anything you like?”
“Every time I look at you, cowboy.”
Rory tipped his finger to his Stetson. The man looked even more handsome and dangerous in the black hat.
“Ready to eat?”
“I’m starving.” She looked around the area. “Hey, didn’t we pass this spot about twenty minutes ago?”
“Yep.”
“Why are we going in circles if this is where you were headed all along?”
“Because you needed time to relax and get out of your head.”
She had to admit he was right. Until about ten minutes ago, she’d spent most of their hour-long ride thinking about everything that happened and everything she still had to do. She thought about her clothes in Rory’s room, her hairbrush next to his in the bathroom, and the fact she planned to sleep in his bed with him tonight.
The flutter of anticipation in her belly excited her. The eagerness and growing need to be with him zipped through her system and made her body hum. This wasn’t just the natural progression in their relationship. It was a step toward their future.
She thought about that, too. Where they were headed. What the rest of their lives would be like now. She had a hard time picturing it clearly with everything from her past still so present now. She’d get through this rough time, sort out everything she felt was holding her back, and move forward with Rory. He was the one thing she felt certain about always.