Page 28 of Heart & Hope

“You don’t do people. I get it. I’ve seen you with others. Tell me what you want, Ruby. You have held up your end of the deal. I’m more than happy to hold up mine.”

My face slackens. “I didn’t mean it like that. I was happy to work on your ma’s party. It was my pleasure.” My gaze hits the floor. That weekend will forever be engrained into my memory. Being part of the Rawlins family for a few days was extraordinary. The relationships they have are so real and deep. And I wish...

The heat that floods my face and neck is ridiculous. So, I decide to change the subject. “How’s the new ranch? You’ve been quiet since you moved in.”

His humor fades. “Yeah, it’s been a lot. Harry has a thousand plans and even more jobs on his task board. Some mornings I lie in bed and wish I could go back six months, you know?”

“You don’t like having your own place?”

“I do, but it’s a lot and it’s not?—”

Ding.

The doors swish open. I step out, glancing back at Reed. He grabs the bags and follows behind me. I unlock the door and hold it open for him.

He dumps the bags down and looks around.

One bed.

Guess we are married.

“I’ll take the sofa,” Reed says, kicking off his shoes as he sinks into the too soft, lumpy cushion on one end of it.

“You don’t have to. I can get another room.” I’m sure I resemble a deer caught in headlights right now. I scramble in my tote for my phone.

“And have them think our marriage is on the rocks, baby? Never.”

I chuckle, but it’s strained, and he’s right. It wouldn’t look good. I sink onto the bed and drop my bag onto the floor and flop backward with a sigh. Something hits my stomach, and I sit up. His cap falls into my lap.

“You bought a Yankees cap? Just for this week?”

“Laws sent it to me; told him I needed one.”

He leans forward, elbows on his knees, hand under his chin, green eyes studying me. I turn the hat in my hand, running a pink painted nail over the stitching. Reed shifts on the sofa. I bite my lip and hold it out for him to take.

When he slides the cap from my fingers, his brush over mine. The zing of electricity that floods my body with the smallest touch from him is insane. I clear my throat and decide it is as good a time as any to change into jeans and a shirt.

I don’t need to be in these crushed suit pants any longer. I kick off my black pumps and slide the jacket from my shoulders and hang it over the chair at the small desk by the bar, fridge, and TV.

Reed watches as I putter around, unpacking.

“Oh, you want half the closet space?” I ask as I pull my hangers from my larger bag.

“Sure, whatever you want.”

He’s in a daze. And when his Adam’s apple bobs with a rough swallow, I hide my face in the closet and hang each item as slowly as I can. If I glance back at him now, I’m likely to end up on his lap. He jokes about almost everything, but being in close proximity to him makes me feel undone.

And I have rules. Which I intend on following.

No dating.

No distractions. Not in the city, and certainly not here.

Period.

“You want a shower or something after your drive? I can head down the street if you need,” Reed offers.

His words are like a slap to the face. Guess that would be the responsible thing to do. When the sofa creaks and the door opens and closes, I slam my eyes shut.

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