Page 102 of Long Time Coming

“Jesus,” Baylor exclaims from the porch, tossing his head back in exasperation.

Her dad ignores him and pivots his gaze to her. “Is that how you feel?”

“I love him.” She glances at me quickly, then says, “With all my heart.”

Finally turning his attention to his son, he says, “It sounds like it’s settled then. Right, Baylor?”

He pushes off the railing and silently retreats into the house.

Mr. Greene chuckles. “It will take a few of us a little more time to get used to the idea.” Coming over to me, he pats me on the arm. “Seems you have another mess to clean up, but it’s best if you do it another day. Say your good night and head on home, son.”

His gaze passes over my shoulder and then narrows. “There’s a light on in the barn.”

Shit.

CHAPTER 36

Tagger

With tears wobblingon her lower lids, threatening to fall, Pris says, “I don’t want you to go.”

I look into her pretty blue eyes and smile despite the pain in my hand and her dad telling me to go home like we’re star-crossed teenagers. I’m fucking thirty, but I’ll still respect his wishes because I’m standing on his property.

With my back against the driver’s side of the truck and an ice pack taped to my hand, I hold her around her waist and kiss her. “It’s only tonight.”

“Tonight.” She throws her arm out in frustration. “You only have two left, and then you’re back in New York. You might as well be in Bali because they feel the same distance to me. My heart doesn’t know the miles. It only knows that when you’re here, my life is complete.”

“I feel the same, but you have your family to deal with, and I need to get off the ranch before someone comes out with a shotgun.”

Her gaze drops to my chest, where she fiddles with a button. “No one’s shooting anyone.”

“You sure about that?” That gets me a hard-earned smile. I lift her chin to get a better look at her just in case I’m not allowed on Greene property in Greene County again anytime soon. The tears have fallen, but no others are in line. “It’s going to be okay, babe. We’ll take the night and let everyone cool down. Tomorrow, we’ll reconvene.”

“I know that’s what we should do to smooth things over, but what about us? Don’t the two in the eye of the hurricane matter at all?”

I’d love to give her some words of wisdom and leave her to chew on a tidbit of positivity, but I can’t. I’m struggling to make sense of this as well. We’re adults, but we’re being treated like kids. Fuck that. “Come with me. Come stay with me for the night.”

The appeal of the idea curls the sides of her mouth up. “Icould, but what about your parents? Will they mind if I’m there? I could sleep on the couch or?—”

“You’re going to stay with me.” I push off the truck, adjusting her back so I can stand. I glance at the house, and say, “Go inside and get your stuff. I’ll wait here for you.”

She lifts on her toes to steal a kiss, then takes off. “Give me five minutes.”

I can’t believe it’s come to us sneaking off together for the night.Wait . . .It’s literally no different than what we’ve already been doing. “I’ll be here.”

Stopping, she looks back and whisper-yells, “No. Meet me closer to the gate so we don’t get caught.”

I rub the back of my neck and get in the truck. We’re really doing this. Skipping out in the middle of the night so we don’t get caught. I think I’ve seen this movie before, but no music was allowed in the small town either.Or dancing.

Releasing the brake, I start the engine but am quick to hit the radio to make sure there’s no noise. Since I have no plans to dance, I think we’re safe. Though I shut the headlights off just in case. I start a slow roll backward, trying to make as little noise as possible, and finally reach a safe distance from the house. This is good. I’m not going to have her running a half mile to catch up to me.

I wait.

And wait even longer.

I check my watch to see that fifteen minutes have passed. I don’t remember the ending of that movie, but I have a strong suspicion that he got the girl. At least, I hope so.

Then, an angel appears in the moonlight. Her hair catches in the breeze, her dress flowing behind her, a bag in her hands, and a smile that beats any sunrise set on her face. I reach over and pop the door open for her.

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