Page 46 of Her Saltwater Cowboy

He was standing inches from her now. “I’m not.”

She rolled a look upward. “I understand that our family’s … predicament could bring shame to the ranch.”

He was quiet for a second, his gaze watchful, gentle crow’s feet stretching out from the corners of his eyes. If he moved any closer he’d have to give her a ring. “Stop that.”

He’d hooked her with a gaze, but she looked away, her breathing turning erratic. The rise of tears started but she tamped them down. With a measured voice she said, “I don’t know what else you’d have me do, Chance.”

“I’d have you look at me.”

Something tender in his voice drew her. With stoicism, she allowed her gaze to match his.

Chance ran a hand through his hair, his eyes never straying from hers. “Aw, Willow.”

She swallowed. “You don’t have to say anything, you know.”

“Hear me out.” His eyes softened. “I’ve been thinking about what you told me the other night. What hit me in the gut wasn’t that your family has trauma—that’s as old as time.”

She held her breath.

“It’s that you wouldn’t trust me with your truth.”

She let it out, remembering him saying something at the beach … something about wanting to be trusted.

He continued. “It wasn’t my business, of course, but you thought I would react?—”

“Exactly the way you did?”

“No. You thought I’d have had you thrown out of here.” He shook his head, quirking a questioning look at her. “What kind of monster do you think I am? That my father is?”

She raised her hands like stop signs. “That’s not … I don’t think that of either of you.”

He placed his palms gently against hers, curling his fingers over hers. “My father’s a big boy. You don’t have to tell him everything, unless you want to. And I hope that you do, because I know him—he’ll want to do whatever he can to help.”

“Oh …”

He squeezed her hands lightly before letting go. “And I do too.”

Willow’s breath hitched.

His voice was sure. “What’s happened with your mother, and your uncle”—he hung his head briefly, rocking it side to side—“that’s a heavy load. No sense adding guilt to it too.”

“I should have told Ace when I was being interviewed.”

“So we could help you.”

“I-I couldn’t imagine that.”

“Why not?”

“I …” Tears flooded her eyes. The kind that came when relief began to show itself. “I’ve felt so alone, Chance. Every day I have to make decisions between my job here, which I love, and my mother’s care—and her future.”

“That’s a lot for one person to bear.”

She swallowed back her tears. He was being kind, but this was her problem—not his. She’d handle it.

“Let me drive you over to see your mom,” he said. “I can take you tomorrow.”

She shook her head. “Really. No. That’s not necessary, it’s only a short drive.”

---