Page 49 of Cowboy of Convenience
“Everything you think is right, Ev.” He decided to lay it all out. He didn’t want to look back and have regrets, and not telling her how he felt would be one hell of a regret. “I want you.”
Her gaze jumped to his, wide with surprise. “You do?” she whispered.
Did she really not know? “I’ve wanted you for longer than I can remember.” He huffed out a little laugh at the memory of the first time they met. “Ever since that night I caught you giving Gertrude a piggyback out of The Creekery.”
Even though she was by far the youngest of the group, it was clear she was the mother hen. The one who made sure everyone was safe and happy. She genuinely loved those women and she did it with her whole heart.
“She forgot her cane and I was worried she’d fall and break her other hip.” Evelyn’s lips started to curve, but quickly flattened. “She’s way heavier than she looks.”
Grady laughed, moving closer. “I saw how you took care of them. The way you defended them whenever they got themselves into trouble.” He brought one hand to her face, skimming a section of dark hair behind one ear. “I saw how you helped Amelie with her shop when she was too pregnant to keep up with everything." He skimmed along her cheek. "I saw how you were always the one giving and no one was ever there to take care of you.”
Evelyn’s eyes moved over his face as she barely shook her head. “I shouldn’t need anyone to take care of me.”
“Why?” Grady lifted his brows. “Because you’re rich?”
Evelyn’s face fell, like she didn’t realize he’d figured that out. “Kinda.”
The admission made him sad, but it explained a lot. “Because you have money you’re not allowed to have problems or need help?”
Evelyn gave him a little nod. “It never seemed fair to complain. So many people would love to have my life.”
“We talked about this, Ev. Money can’t fix everything. It can only make some things easier.” He added on what he left off the last time. “Money won’t make my mom better. Doesn’t matter how much you give her, she still won’t know who I am.” He continued tracing along her skin, following the line of her jaw. “And sometimes money creates problems. Look at your Gram-Gram. She can’t even make a cup of fucking coffee.”
Evelyn huffed out a laugh, her eyes rolling to the ceiling. “I shouldn’t laugh. I didn’t know how to turn on a stove.”
“But you do now.” Grady inched in a little more, drawn to her the same way he had been from the start. “And I bet you figured it out all on your own.”
Evelyn’s head bobbed from side to side. “Sort of.” She offered a small smile. “I googled it.” Her smile faltered and she took a breath so deep it lifted her shoulders. “If you want me why did you say it wasn’t a good idea for me to…” Her voice trailed off.
He wanted to ask exactly what she was planning to do, but he needed to focus on the conversation they were having. And there was no way that would happen if he knew exactly what he’d rejected. “Because if you want me to walk away from you when this is all over, I need to keep some space between us.”
And there wasn’t much left to work with. He’d already fucked up by touching her. Already made it that much more impossible to consider letting her be.
“Oh.” Evelyn chewed her lower lip, gaze falling to his chest. She was quiet for a minute. When she spoke again her words were so soft he almost didn’t hear them. “Maybe I don’t want you to walk away from me.”
“Maybe’s not good enough, Ev.” He wanted to believe it might be true. That Evelyn was feeling just like he was. “You need to be sure.”
Evelyn pressed her lips together, eyes searching his. She opened her mouth—
And his cell started to ring in his pocket, the ascending chime one he couldn’t ignore.
“Shit.” Grady dragged the phone free before connecting the call and pressing it to his ear. “Is everything okay?”
His mother’s wails answered before Charlene did. “Your momma fell trying to get down the front steps. I can’t get her up.”
“Did you call the squad?” The question was barely out of his mouth when Evelyn moved in, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his chest.
She was comforting him. Letting him know she was there for him just as much as he was there for her. That he wasn’t alone. And making a liar out of him.
Because there was already no way in hell he could walk away from this woman.
* * *
EVELYN’S HAND SLID across the console to find his, offering a squeeze. “You doing okay?”
“I don’t fuckin’ know.” Grady blew out a long breath. His plans for the day had been derailed. “I hate the hospital.”
Evelyn’s thumb slowly skated across his skin in a gentle stroke. “Does your mom have to go there a lot?”
