Page 16 of The Only Heart that Matters

“Well, I changed my mind. You do owe me one, and what I want is for you to move into the house.”

“Gus, I can’t afford to cover the mortgage.”

“Sweetheart, that property has been in my family for years and I paid for it as I built it. There is no mortgage.”

She can’t say anything to that, now, can she?

Her teeth sink into her bottom lip as she thinks about my offer. Fuck, I really wish it were me biting that lip.

“I can’t. It’s too much.”

“Says who? I get to decide what to do with my house. This is how you pay me back. Besides, I’ll know you’re safe on the ranch. It’ll ease my mind.”

Her ring spins around her finger for several heartbeats before she speaks again.

“I would have to pay you something.”

Ah, ha. She’s coming around.

Relief that she might change her mind lessens the pain in my chest.

“Nope. That doesn’t work for me.” She protests, but I talk over her. “You don’t have to stay forever, Mia. But while you’re there, you can save money and have a nice down payment to buy your own place once you’re ready. No rush. You can take as long as you need.”

She says no more while we drive down the long road that leads to the Powells’ lake property. Doing my best to give her time to process and think my offer through, I stay quiet as a mouse. I’ll go along with letting her think she has a choice in the matter a little longer, but the reality is they’re moving in and that’s all there is to it. It’s a chance to change her circumstances.

To change her life.

I park the truck in front of her kick-ass barndominium and just as I reach to open the door, she says the one word I needed to hear.

“Okay.”

Thank God!

“But I’m paying the utility bills.”

And just like that, all is right in my world.

Chapter Eight

Angus

It’s moving day.

The past forty-eight hours have gone by in a blur. I may have gotten eight hours’ sleep total over the last couple of days, but it will all be worth it to see Sawyer’s reaction. I’ve spent day and night preparing the house and cleaning out my clothes and essentials. Since the loft is fully furnished, and half my things are there anyway, all my stuff fit in the cab of my truck yesterday when I moved everything. The house is ready for them, but I can’t shake the nervous energy I woke up with. It probably didn’t help that I downed several much-needed cups of coffee before heading out to pick Mia and Sawyer up.

Mia is putting what little furniture she has in storage for now. I think she’s bringing more kitchen supplies than anything. Between Daisy’s car, Callen’s truck, and my truck, one trip is all we need.

As soon as our caravan pulls up to the house, I get out of the truck like my ass is on fire, throwing open the back door toget Sawyer out of his car seat. I feel the smile I can’t suppress stretching across my face when he grins at me. This kid in his car seat in the back seat of my truck is better than any aftermarket accessory I could have paid for.

“I have a little surprise for you,” I say, ruffling his blond hair before freeing him from the straps of his seat.

When I come around the truck with Sawyer in my arms, Mia is waiting on the other side, arms open to take him from me. The tears she was silently crying when we drove away from her parents' place are gone, replaced by a lightheartedness I know she’s faking.

“What kind of surprise?” She’s trying her best to seem wary, but her eyes are full of trust and excitement.

“Come on, I’ll show you.”

I hand her boy over and her ocean eyes look up at me. The world around us ceases to exist. She holds her son, while I gently rub his back, and our gazes lock as something passes between us. I’m not searching for anything, and I don’t think she is either. This is different. I see her. Her heart hurts, and she fears what the future holds for her and her little boy. I see exactly how hard she’s trying to hold herself together and I appreciate the hell out of her strength. My rambunctious nerves relax. The only thing I hear is my heartbeat's slow thud in my ears. Sawyer breaks the spell we were under, trying to wiggle out of Mia’s arms.

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