Page 42 of Heart & Hope

“Better.” His voice is gravel.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“Home, baby.”

And the smile that blooms over my face is the most genuine one I’ve felt in a long time.

We make it to the reception desk to ask for his truck to be valeted. Not having said a word since we left the room, something electric hangs between us. And when Reed’s truck rolls into the driveway, he scoops me up in his arms and heads for the doors. I giggle and hang my head back. And when I glance back, Mary-Sue is watching from just inside the restaurant entrance. Reed must have seen her there.

“Reed,” I huff through a laugh.

“Yeah, beautiful?” We reach the passenger door of his truck.

“You can put me down now.”

“Yeah, I know.”

But when he doesn’t loosen his hold on me, I lift my gaze. His green eyes burn into mine, and for a second I think I see something like I saw last night, right after he kissed me. And I can’t help myself when my hand traces his jaw. He stills for a moment, then clears his throat and lets me down.

A second later, he opens the door, and I climb into the truck. I slide onto the seat, heart beating so fast it would put a hummingbird to shame.

When Reed is behind the wheel and we roll out of the inn’s driveway, I take in the inside of his truck. It’s a premium interior finish. As upmarket as the Audi my dad drives. Napa leather surrounds me, the seat hugging my frame. It’s so soft... it’s delicious. The dash is matte black, with the latest high-tech screen. I’m impressed. So much for a simple country boy.

When the warmth of his stare blooms on my face, I turn to face him. The cutest smile twists his gorgeous face. I dip my eyes. “Thanks for that back there. With Mary-Sue, I mean.”

“Not everything I do is for Mary-Sue’s benefit, Rubes.”

“Well, thanks anyway. The last thing I want to do is cause Olive a headache, or worst case, lose my job over their ridiculous, outdated ideas.”

“Yeah, that would be such a shame.”

I roll my eyes at him, and he chuckles, dragging his eyes back to the road. He hits the power button on the stereo, and Nickelback floods the black cab. Fitting. We chat about work things and Reed’s family as we drive the hour and a half.

“You never told me what our R & R entails?” I say. I like to know what I’m in for.

He turns to me with a grin. “Reed & Ruby time, of course.”

I laugh at him, and he winks at me. I feign a groan, and he returns his gaze to the road.

When we turn into the driveway of Reed’s new ranch through long, open wooden gates, I can’t help but sit up like a golden retriever, rolling the window down and looking around.

Reed pulls in by the house and shuts off the engine. When he appears at my door, I lean back and can’t wipe the smile from my face. Opening the door, he holds out a hand like I’m stepping out of a carriage, and I laugh.

The man makes me happy.

When my new boots meet dirt for the first time, Reed crooks his arm, and I slide mine through. It’s almost habit now. He tilts his head, bending to my ear. “Welcome home, Rubes.”

“Your home, Reed. My place is a fifty-square-foot apartment on the east side.”

He smiles at me and says, “I would love to see your city one day.”

“You’ve never been to New York?”

“Nope. Not even a little.”

“But Lawson lives there.”

“I’m aware. Just never had the chance to go. Harry insists idle hands are the devil or some nonsense.”

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