Page 81 of A Rancher's Vow
Calling Chelsea was out. It would only worry her sister needlessly to catch her up tonight. “The morning is soon enough.” Confusion remained high, though. “I’m very glad Fern had some of my stuff to bring over, but why did Shim bring you clothes?”
“Because unless you hate the idea, I’m staying with you.” Dustin marched her down the hall toward the bedroom, dropping her borrowed bag on the mattress. “Scratch that. If you hate the idea, I’m still staying. I just won’t sleep with you. I’ll use the couch instead.”
His arms around her, all night long? Sounded like the perfect way to get some needed rest.
“Screw the couch. I want you in my bed.” It came out with enough conviction and power she almost sounded like herself.
Dustin kissed her cheek. “That’s my girl. Now hop in the shower. Use all the bubbles and soap you need.”
She slipped open the bag Fern had left. Thank goodness her friend had thrown in a sturdy shower cap along with a couple of head scarves and scrunchies. Dealing with her curly hair without them would have been a nightmare.
Dustin disappeared, and Charity stripped, abandoning her clothes on the floor where they fell. As if leaving the lingering contamination from the day behind, she walked naked across the hall and into the small bath.
With the water as hot as she could stand it, Charity soaked under the high pressure spray. Hard needles of hot water bounced off her neck and back, and tension slowly eased away as she breathed out the grossness of their afternoon discovery.
There had been good parts to the day she could celebrate. Things that had gone very right. Like the auction. The money raised for local charities, the gathering of people all building up Heart Falls.
While someone was tearing my place apart.
She shook her head and put her face directly under the water. She knew better than to allow other people to dictate her attitude and choices.
She stood a little straighter. The vandal was wrong. Charity was not.
Didn’t matter if it was the truth, though, she was tired to her core. Drying off, she avoided looking at herself in the fogged up mirror for too long. A ghost reflected back during each brief glimpse. A ghost with sadness in her eyes.
She hung up the shower cap, wrapped herself in a towel, and cracked the bathroom door open. About to call out Dustin’s name, she was greeted by the flickering warmth of amber lights.
Candlelight?
Quietly, she slipped down the hall on bare feet, the overlapping layers of the towel tucked firmly into position just above her breasts. The soft yellow glow increased in strength until she stepped in line with the kitchen area and got a full view of the open living space.
Candles were everywhere.
Okay, at second glance, there weren’t as many as she’d imagined. But the dozen or so that were lit had been strategically placed in front of reflective surfaces, doubling the impact. It turned the mood of the simple cottage from rustic chic to romantic escape.
Not that she was looking for romance right then, but the thought was sweet.
Dustin glanced up from his spot on the couch. He laid his phone face down on the coffee table. “Hey. All warmed up?”
“Yeah. Almost tempted to crawl into bed, but after checking the time, I don’t think hitting the sack at six thirty is a good idea.” She flicked a finger at the phone. “Anything new?”
Dustin patted the spot next to him. “Couple of shots of us at the auction. We lookhashtag cute country couple, again. No mention of my cock.”
He said it so dryly a snicker escaped as she sat, leaning against his side. Far, far too comfortable there. “Well, I hope your cock’s ego isn’t hurt.”
“He’s big enough to handle it.”
Charity snorted, tilting her head back to grin at Dustin. “Bonus points for saying that with a straight face.”
“It was hard,” he deadpanned. “Long and hard, and—”
She tapped his chest, laughter welling up faster than she’d thought possible. “Stop it.”
He laid his hand over hers, trapping her fingers against his soft blue T-shirt. “There’s only one way to shut me up.”
Charity pressed her lips to his. A soft kiss that grew more heated as time passed. Dustin curled his fingers around the back of her neck and tugged her closer, tilting her head so he could take control.
She liked that. A lot. Maybe today more than ever as she left behind the worries of what and when and who and simply felt.
