Page 95 of Nashville Cowboy
“You’re right.”
She covered her face with her hands and his stomach dove south when he noticed the slight tremor in her hand. “I have a bad memory that seeing her brings up.”
“Tell me.” No longer able to stay back, he tugged her into his arms and held on tight.
“Some years ago, I saw a photo of both of you in a tabloid magazine. You were walking hand-in-hand and they printed that you were recently married. I didn’t have any right to feel the way I did, but I was hurt. It was the moment I realized I’d lost you for good. And it was my own damn fault.”
“I never loved her, Eve.”
“That hardly matters now. The biggest decisions of my life were knee-jerk reactions, and they were all my biggest mistakes. Leavin’ you at the altar when the night before I was ready to marry you.”
“That was brave even if it was a mistake.”
“Maybe I was brave, but that courage caused me to make some snap decisions I still regret.”
“Glad to hear you regret leavin’ me. Got to admit.”
She spoke into his chest now, her soft voice muffled. Her arms tightened around his waist. “Don’t ever doubt it for a minute.”
Jackson tipped her chin to meet his gaze. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Reaching to squeeze his arms, she slid him a hopeful smile.
“Kiss me and prove it.” The corner of his mouth tipped up in the start of a smile as he leaned lower.
The kiss was sweet and tender, reminding her of what they had. What they were never going to lose again.
When they broke the kiss, Eve met his eyes. “She’s crazy to ask you, but I can only imagine how desperate she is. I know what it’s like to feel desperate, alone, and to wish that someone would help.”
The words kicked him in the gut. “Yeah. I guess you do.”
She crossed her arms and gave him her back. “She loves you, I hope you know. As more than a friend.”
“The feeling’s not mutual.” Coming up behind her, he pulled her back to his chest. “You forgive me?”
She climbed back on Thimble. “As long as you ride with me, cowboy.”
Eve rode Thimbleat a gallop slightly ahead of Jackson, but he always had Taco keep a close pace. She figured Jackson was hanging back, because Taco was faster and stronger than Thimble. They all fell into a gradual easy rhythm as they crossed the hills of Ridge Valley. She doubted there was anywhere else on earth more beautiful than Hill Country. When people thought of Texas wildflowers they mostly thought of bluebonnets and paintbrush which bloomed in the spring. But there were some wildflowers that bloomed year-round. At the moment the hillsides were dotted with goldeneye, snow on the prairie, and bright red cardinal flowers.
She’d never want to live anywhere else on earth. This was home. Rugged beauty. Comfort and safety. She’d already left once before and that had been enough. She would never leave again. Now Jackson realized that he belonged here, too.
She stopped Thimble at the crest of the tallest hill on their part of the ridge. The sun began to slip down the horizon, a beautiful splash of red, and orange bursts of vibrant color. Jackson joined her, reaching to take her hand. When he brushed a kiss across her knuckles again, her body shivered, and she briefly closed her eyes to the powerful emotions spilling over her. She recognized happy when she felt it, but it had been a while. Or maybe just a while since she’d allowed herself to feel anything this intense.
“C’mere.”
Jackson reached for her and pulled her into Taco’s saddle. He was strong enough that she had no time, or any real inclination to resist.
“Taco doesn’t like me,” she protested as she snuggled against Jackson in a saddle meant for one.
“He’s going to like you again, baby,” Jackson whispered close to her good ear. “Remember when the sound of your voice calmed him?”
“That was a long time ago.”
“Have you tried talking to him lately?”
“A few things here and there,” she said. “Reminding him that he might like me again one day. And he always hears me talking to Thimble.”
“And ignoringhim.”
