“Sadie, what is it?”
Drawn to the sincerity in his voice, she walked into his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. He didn’t hesitate to pull her close. She rested her chin on his shoulder and sighed. “My dad died.” Today she’d laid him to rest in peace beside her mother. Somehow that changed everything, despite the fact it had been several days since he’d passed. All the overwhelming feelings and tasks that needed to be done stemmed from the simple fact that her father had died and it was left to her to carry on. She didn’t exactly know how to do that right this minute. Not when her life had seemed to be going in one direction, but hit a fork in the road and sent her down another path and straight into Rory’s arms. Now, she felt as if finding out if she was pregnant would be another fork in the road. She was staying at Rory’s, but she didn’t actually live there. She had a house and ranch and her father’s things to settle. And her future hinged on one yes or no answer to a question they couldn’t answer right now, but could change everything about her future.
“I have so many things to do, I’m not sure what to do first.”
“First and always, you take care of you. Sit down and eat something. You’ve been on your feet and going all day without stopping. I’ll make you a cup of tea.”
“Hot chocolate.”
He kissed the side of her head. “You got it.” His arms contracted around her. “We’ll figure it out, Sadie. All of it. Together.”
She leaned back and stared up at him. “Do you mean that?”
He laid his hand on her cheek. “Yes.” The honesty and intensity in his eyes told her he truly meant it. “You’re feeling a little lost without your dad. I get it. But you have me, Sadie. I’m not going anywhere.”
She laid her forehead on his chest and breathed him in. His hand slid through her hair and held her head; his strong fingers massaged her sore neck.
“I need you,” she whispered, holding him close, her fingers digging into his back muscles.
“You have me.”
She appreciated it so much that he understood her saying she needed him didn’t translate to she wanted to have sex with him, but that she needed him in her life for so much more. She loved him. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. He seemed to want the same. That gave her a sense of security. Right now, she needed it. She let everything else go and held on to the hope that the bond and connection they shared would see them through, that she and Rory would have what their parents had strived for but never got—a long and lasting marriage filled with love and family and memories that stretched decades.
Rory backed her up into the kitchen and one of the chairs at the table. He gently pushed her to sit. She did and stared up at him. He squatted in front of her and laid his hands over hers on her thighs.
“I know it feels like it, but nothing has to be decided immediately. We can take our time.”
“I feel like if I don’t do something I’ll be stuck in this strange uncertainty forever. I don’t like feeling this way. I want things to go back to the way they used to be.”
“We’ll clean up here, then go home. Tomorrow, when you’ve had some rest and are ready to face the tasks ahead, we’ll plan what to do about everything else. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Rory made her hot chocolate and a plate of fresh fruit and banana nut bread someone had baked and dropped off after the service when everyone paid their respects. She ate at the table, watching Rory methodically put food into the fridge for later, or store it in the cupboards. He cleaned the kitchen, took out the trash, and kept a close eye on her. By the time they left, her home looked like no one had been there since she’d last sat with her father watching TV the evening before she found him bloody in his room. It was almost as if he’d be right back. The thought made the ache inside her throb and beat with her broken heart.
They drove back to the Kendrick ranch in silence, but Rory held her hand, his thumb gently rubbing against hers. They walked into the quiet house together and went up the dark stairs and into their room. Rory didn’t say a word then either, just slowly undressed her and tucked her into bed. He undressed and joined her, pulling her backside against his front, his big hand settled over her stomach as he held her in the dark.
She stared at the wall, feeling his warmth behind her and his soft breath whispering through her hair. The numbness spread through her like a virus eating up all the happiness she’d ever felt. It left her raw and aching so bad, she pressed her hand over Rory’s on her belly and slid her fingers into his.