Page 50 of If You Loved Me

Sarah’s head dipped low as she groaned while Johnny just laughed like his fiancé’s question was a typical expression of her feisty personality.

Sitting up a little taller, I cleared my throat and looked Willow straight into her eyes. But before I could say anything, Sarah responded, “Willow, you can’t just go around asking people that question.”

Willow tilted her head in confusion. “Um, yes I can. You’re my best friend and I hardly know a thing about Ranger other than the fact that he was in prison for ten years and owns a ranch.”

A straight shooter. I couldn’t knock the woman for that. And ifherintention was making sure Sarah was protected, then I couldn’t knock her for that either.

I twined my arm around Sarah’s back and gave her hip a small pat to let her know I was fine.

“I think it’s a fair question, Willow. If someone with my rap sheet was trying to date my sister, I’d be asking the same thing.”

She shot Sarah a look that saidsee, it’s not a big deal.

“To answer your question, my intention with Sarah is to only make her happy. For as long as she’ll keep me around.”

“And what about keeping her safe?” There was no jesting in her tone this time.

I didn’t hesitate as I responded, “I’d protect her with my life.” And it was true. I thought back to the promise I’d made to my sister earlier this week. That I’d make sure I didn’t put myself in another vulnerable position of being sent back and taken away from her again. But if it came between my freedom and Sarah’s safety…there was no question that I’d sacrifice myself for her.

Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Willow responded, “Good. Now that that’s settled we can get on with Sarah’s birthday presents.” She clapped her hands together, shifting her attention back to Sarah.

If that was all the chastising I was going to get from her, I considered myself lucky. I had a feeling that when it came to the people she loved, Willow was a bulldog, ready to bite and rip apart whoever she needed to.

Willow rose from her seat and grabbed a large wrapped box that had been hiding beneath her side of the bench. “Happy birthday, Sarah!” she exclaimed, reaching the present across the table.

“Willow, this is huge. What on earth did you do?” I could hear the excitement in her voice as she started to tear the wrapping paper apart.

“Just open it,” Willow urged.

I reached for my pocket knife and switched the blade open to cut away at the tape from the cardboard box.

“Thank you.” Sarah smiled at me, the sweet look on her face making my stomach do strange flips. It was then that Irealized all it would take was a simple look from this woman and I’d be on my knees for her. And there wasn’t a single part of me that cared how easily I’d become wrapped around her dainty little finger.

When she opened the cardboard flaps of the box, I watched as her lips parted further, cracking into a bright smile that rivaled the sun.

“No. You. Didn’t. Willow!” She let out an excited squeak as she pulled the contraption from the box and carefully pulled at the tissue paper surrounding it. It took me a moment to realize it was a large hand juicer.

“I know how much you love freshly squeezed juices, especially for your fruit tarts. This one has different sizes so you can hand squeeze limes, all the way up to a grapefruit.”

Sarah narrowed her eyes on Willow. “Are you sure you didn’t get me this for yourself? I know how much you love my lemon tarts.”

Johnny let out a roaring laugh as Willow glowered at him. “Of course not!” she defended herself, giving Johnny an elbow to the ribs. “You talked about wanting a juicer all summer.” Then her lips twisted into a smirk. “But I definitely won’t pass up any tarts you want to bake.”

“I knew it!” Sarah threw a ball of scrunched-up wrapping paper at Willow. It smacked her square between the eyes. Willow was shocked for a moment before we all burst out laughing and I wondered if this was what it felt like to be free of my past. If the lightness in my chest would stick around from moments like this or if it would disappear when my nightmares of a six-by-six cellblock came clawing back.

“Did you get the birthday girl anything, Ranger?” Willow asked before taking a bite of her donut.

“Damn, darlin’. Leave the poor man alone.” Johnny wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into him. I could tell he was trying to soothe whatever fear had her coming for me, but I admired it. The fierce protection she had for the ones she loved.

It was Sarah who answered, reaching for the pendant hanging just below her collarbone. “Actually he did. Isn’t it beautiful?”

Willow leaned forward to observe the necklace I’d bought Sarah. “Dreamer,” she said slowly. Turning the pendant side-to-side, the gold caught the reflection of the overhead lights, making it shimmer.

When Willow looked up at me I saw the judgment leave her eyes and something like comfort settled in. “I think you might have outdone me on this one, Ranger.”

“Might have?” Sarah snorted before curling into my side. “He most certainly did.”

I breathed her in, drawing her closer to me. We all settled into a comfortable silence, biting into donuts and sipping on the hot cider which I had to admit was pretty damn good. Good food was one of the things I’d missed most when I was away. I was thankful that Callie Rose was willing to spoil me when I got out. Every single night, I would come in from working the ranch to a hot homecooked meal waiting for me.

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