Page 37 of Coming Home Country
All I wanted was for her to be happy. Even if it killed me to know it probably wouldn’t be with me.
It was only a small comfort to know that, after this week, I wouldn’t have to watch on as she—maybe—built a life with another man. Because that meant she was leaving again, and I was pretty sure it would break me when she did, knowing she would likely never return.
These were my final days with Bex, and I was determined to enjoy them, to savor them so that I could add them to the collection of memories I clung to from when we’d been happy and in love.
It was strange spending so much time on Sullivan Ranch. As a teen, it had been my primary hangout with Bex being an honorary Sullivan. Most of our summer days were spent on horseback, enjoying the quiet country life we’d been born into.
After everything fell apart and I became public enemy number one in Aspen’s eyes, I’d steered clear of this property. It was far enough outside of town that even on my few trips home before moving back for good, it had been easy to avoid.
Becoming friends with Mac changed the terms of my exile. Aspen still gave me the cold shoulder. Rightfully so, but she managed to tolerate me more once Mac forced her to listen to the hell Brooke had put me—and, by extension, her best friend—through.
Every now and then, I’d be invited out to enjoy a glass of Macallan scotch, Mac’s namesake, while we kicked back and relaxed after a long week at work—or, in Mac’s case, training.
Now, it was wedding central. Most of the events during the week-long lead-up to the couple’s nuptials were set to take place on this stunning piece of land, including the actual ceremony.
This afternoon, the wedding party would be making a trek across the massive acreage on horseback toward where Mac and Aspen were building their new house. We were set to have dinner made over a campfire and sleep out under the stars.
In a sense, we were paying homage to our roots when our ancestors settled on this land over a century and a half ago and had to start from scratch on an uninhabited piece of land. But those closest to the soon-to-be newlywed couple knew it ran deeper. Being out under the stars was special to them, and they wanted to incorporate that into their celebration.
Parking beside the barn, I hopped out of my truck and hustled my ass to where I saw Colt preparing to lay his giant paws on Bex’s waist. He was set to give her a boost onto the saddle strapped to the chestnut brown mare Jett had “gifted” to her on her sixteenth birthday, named Chocolate Chip.
Over my dead body was he touching my girl.
She’s not your girl anymore. Hasn’t been for a very long time.
A rough clearing of my throat had Colt’s head snapping up, and the glare I shot him was enough to have the cowboy backing away, hands up with a nod of acknowledgment.
Bex had one foot in the stirrup, her uncasted hand outstretched just shy of gripping the pommel. Peeking over her shoulder, she called out, “Colt?”
An adorable little crease formed between her brows when she saw him walking back toward his wife, seated on a UTV loaded with all the supplies we needed for an overnight stay on the open range.
Lips turning down, Bex muttered under her breath, “How the hell am I supposed to get on now with only one good hand?”
My feet moved automatically, fingers twitching right before they landed on the smooth stretch of skin where her shirt had ridden up.
Bex sucked in a sharp breath, and I felt her shiver under my touch. Still facing forward, she whispered, “Tucker.”
My grip grew tighter on her hips. She knew it was me without even looking.
Pressing my luck, I closed the gap between us, bringing our bodies flush. When she didn’t pull away, my eyes slid closed, and I pressed my nose to her hair, breathing in her scent. For the past decade, every time I caught even the tiniest whiff of lavender, it made me think of her.
In my darkest days, I never thought I’d set eyes on Bex again, let alone touch her like this. My arms banded around her waist, holding on for dear life, afraid that if I let her go, she’d vanish and I would wake up to find this all to have been a dream.
The tiniest of sighs sounded from her lips, and she melted into my embrace. Could she feel this connection too? Was there a chance we could fix all that had been broken now that she knew the truth?
Lost in the moment, I didn’t realize Mac had snuck up on us until his hand landed on my shoulder, and I about damn near jumped out of my skin. That sudden jolt broke whatever spell had been cast over Bex, and an elbow connected with my ribs, forcing the air from my lungs.
Stumbling back, I narrowed my eyes on Mac, making my displeasure known.
Low enough that Bex couldn’t hear, he apologized, “Sorry, man. But we’ve gotta get moving if we’re gonna make it over the ridge before sunset.”
“Mac, I need a hand,” Bex huffed, hopping on one foot, trying to shove off the ground and lift onto the saddle.
“I’m sure Tucker can help you.” He tossed me a wink.
Her eye roll was audible when she said, “Tucker had his chance. Now, I’m askin’ you.”
Mac cringed, offering me a shrug. “I hate to say it, but she does have a point.”
