Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
“I don’t need a push. I know I want her. She knows I want her, and I’m just waiting for her to be ready.”
This time it’s me that gets the intensity of Maverick’s gaze. “He’s a good guy, Crosby. Put us all out of our misery. He talks about you all the time, and we thought he was hiding behind his feelings.”
“He’s not hiding,” I tell his brother. “I have some things I’m working through.” I glance up at Rushton to find him watching me. “He’s been very clear on what he wants with me.”
“Is my brother not good enough for you?” Maverick asks. There is no malice in his tone. He’s generally curious.
“He’s… more than enough. It’s me. I—”
“She doesn’t need to explain herself to you. I know how she feels. She knows how I feel. We’ll work it out.”
“I grew up in foster care,” I blurt. It’s not like his sisters-in-law don’t already know. I’m not hiding it; I just don’t like to talk about it. “I’m all alone, and my contract here is for a year,” I explain. “I refuse to do that to him. I may be leaving Willow River if my contract isn’t renewed, and his life is here. His family.” I give him a shy smile. “I’m just trying to protect him. To protect both of us.”
“Fuck.” The next thing I know, I’m being pulled from Rushton’s arms and into Maverick’s. His hold is tight and comforting. These Kincaid boys really know how to get a girl all up in her feels. “His heart will be broken either way,” he whispers before releasing me.
“We should go,” Rushton says, reaching for me, but I step back into the house.
“I just need to grab a couple of things.”
“You need help?” he asks. The look on his face tells me he’s not really asking if I need help. He wants to make sure I’m okay, and much to my surprise, I’m good. The more I talk about my past, the easier it is. That has everything to do with the people in this town. I’ve never felt more accepted.
Grabbing my jacket and my purse, ensuring I have my phone and keys, I pick up the container of pumpkin cheesecake bites and walk back outside, locking the door and pulling it closed behind me.
“Where’s Maverick?” I ask Rushton.
“He went home. I’m sorry. He means well.”
I smile. “I know he does. This is all kinds of messy, and I realize that I’m the culprit for that. I hate that my insecurities and my fear are causing issues.”
“There are no issues, gorgeous. There is you and me, and that’s what matters.”
“You’re making it really hard for me not to fall for you,” I confess.
“Perfect.”
“Rushton, you really need to think about this. What if I have to leave? Willow River is a small town with one elementary school.”
“There are towns nearby that have elementary schools, and if that doesn’t work, we figure it out together.”
“You can’t leave your family.”
“We don’t have to talk about this today. We’re going to spend the day together with my loud, crazy family. I don’t want all the what-ifs to be hanging over our heads. Just be with me today.” He swallows hard, and I watch as his throat bobs. “If you have to pretend, do that. Just… be with me today.”
I want to argue. To demand that he thinks about what the future would look like if I can’t find a teaching position. It’s on the tip of my tongue, but the look on his face stops me. He wants this. I see it in his eyes, in the anxious expression. “Okay.” I hear myself say before I can think better of it. “Today, but, Rushton, I’m a realist. I know that letting my heart guide me isn’t always the best outcome.”
He grins and takes the container of mini cheesecakes from my hands before he leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek. “You just told me your heart was involved, baby. We’ll figure it out,” he says before stepping back. “Now, what is that? I told you Mom will thank you and then remind you that you didn’t need to.”
I shrug. “I feel better not coming empty-handed.”
“I’m sure whatever it is, it will be devoured.”
“Mini pumpkin cheesecake bites.”
“Perfect.” He opens the truck door for me, handing me the container once I’m strapped in. I expect him to close the door, but I should have learned by now Rushton Kincaid never does what I expect him to. He leans in and rests his calloused hand against my cheek. “Thank you for today. I’m thankful for you and the time you’re giving me.” He grins before stepping back and shutting the door.
He doesn’t give me time to reply, and I’m glad because I’m at a loss for words. My heart aches to give in to this connection between us. For once, I want to just let go, and whatever happens will happen, but I can’t do that. I can’t risk it. But then again, I also know that if I have to leave this town, there will be pain either way.