Page 20 of Cherishing Happily Ever After

“But that’s not because I didn’t want what I have now,” Nick continued. “It’s because I didn’tknowI wanted what I have now.”

Steph looked up again.

“I think there are two types of people in the world,” he said. “Those who just know what they want. They don’t have to question it because they feel it deep down in their bones. And then there are people like me. IthoughtI knew what I wanted.” He chuckled a little. “Hell, I thought a different woman every night, traveling and partying until I couldn’t see straight and didn’t know what town I was in, was where it was at. No responsibilities. No ties. Nothing and no one I was responsible for or to. That was the life.” He closed his eyes and smiled, as if remembering exactly what that life felt like.

But when he opened his eyes again, he shook his head slowly. “I thought I was pretty smart, but it was the opposite.”

“You’re not smart?”

He grinned. “The smartest men know that the best life is one you’re sharing with someone you love. Period.”

She let his words settle in. It was exactly how she felt, more and more every day. She wanted someone to share it all with. She knew that secret already.

“I know you haven’t said it outright,” Nick continued. “But like I just told you, I’m a pretty smart man.” He wiggled his brows. “So I think I may have figured out what all this is about.” He stroked the dog’s fur as he spoke, but his eyes didn’t leave hers. “There would have been a time where I would have told you just to have a little fun and sow whatever wild oats you have hiding in there.” He waved his finger in her direction. “And if that’s all you think he’s going to be able to give you, and you’re good with that, then go for it. There’s nothing wrong with that either. But…if you have real feelings tied up here, well, maybe he does too. I’m not saying that you should waste your time with someone who will never be what you need. I’m just saying that sometimes it takes some men a bit longer to get over themselves and see that what’s in front of them is exactly what they want. And need.” He reached for her hand and squeezed. “Maybe Travis is that guy. Maybe he’s not. But there’s only one way to find out. Take a chance, Steph. What’s the worst that could happen?”

Stephanie let his words settle in for a moment. Maybe Nick was right. Maybe Travis would realize thatshewas what he’d been waiting for all this time. Maybe he’d wake up one day and see that she’d been here waiting for him to realize it all this time. But maybe…

He wouldn’t.

Maybe she’d put herself out there for a man who couldn’t love her the way she needed to be loved. Maybe she’d have her heart broken.

Again.

“I could have my heart broken.”

Her friend gave her a sympathetic smile. “You’ve survived that before.”

She nodded. Shehadsurvived it before. But what if she didn’t this time? What if this was the time that broke not only her heart but her spirit, too?

So many questions, and she didn’t have answers for any of them.

Stephanie looked up and offered her friend a soft smile. “Maybe,” she said. “Maybe you’re right.”

ChapterFive

It had beenhis intention to go straight for the truck and head back to Lynx Creek immediately. The rainwascoming down hard. Remington had been one hundred percent right about that. But if he was right, even a little bit about the creek spilling its banks, that would be a completely different issue.

Would the cabins be okay?

Were they high enough up from the waterline?

What about the bridge?

There was only one way to find out. But the last thing Travis needed was to get back out there and find out that he didn’t have any of the supplies he needed to protect Lynx Creek and Stephanie.

Because he’d be damned if he would let anything happen to her.

Or her cabins, he amended in his brain quickly, as if the distinction mattered.

It didn’t, and maybe it was long past time he quit pretending it did.

With his jacket zipped up tight and holding his hat on his head, Travis moved quickly against the onslaught of rain to the hardware store.

Brett greeted him almost the moment he walked in. “Looking for supplies?”

“Burlap sacks and sand.” Travis nodded as he shook the water off him. “What do you have?”

“Not much, I’m afraid. A small pile of sand out back and some sacks. But it won’t be enough if you’re seriously worried about flooding.”

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