Page 85 of A Cowboy's Trust
“I know we couldn’t, but that doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking,” she whispered back. “For you as well as me, yes?”
“Yeah.” The knot in Jake’s throat was the size of grapefruit. “I mean it though. I can’t give you up.”
Tansy’s face twisted as she fought back tears. “I love you too.”
He pulled her against him, limbs tangled together as they stood there, hearts breaking. Fear for Jeffrey and what Melissa might decide to do was a nearly tangible thing, and hopelessness was a weight pressing on Jake’s chest.
But this other part—falling in love with an amazing, kind, and beautiful woman—this was the seed of hope he needed to push toward the light.
He tugged Tansy with him out of the living room and into her bedroom, looking for privacy. Twirling her, he dropped into the loveseat with her in his lap. Arms tight around her torso, he rested his chin on the top of her head.
Tansy burrowed in and clung even harder. She rocked lightly, and his shirt grew wet with her tears.
“I’m so sorry, Tans. I’m so sorry.”
She sucked for air, wiggling back to stare at him with eyes full of moisture. “Me, too.” She pressed her palms to his cheeks. “It’s lousy timing because inside it feels as if I just got tossed in a frozen lake, but you get some major spontaneity points for what you said out there.”
He caught her fingers and pressed them to his chest. “I’m frozen right now, as well, but I’m serious about being in love with you. I should have said something sooner—” He laughed softly. “For once I can honestly say it wasn’t because I had big plans of how I wanted to tell you. I was just being a dumbass cowboy, struggling to figure out what this need in my heart meant. It’s definitely love.”
“I know. Me too.” She sniffed, lips quivering. “I’m really happy right now, even though it doesn’t look like it.”
“I get it.” Jake took a deep breath. “Good thing humans are complicated creatures and we can be devastated and glad at the same time.”
“We’ll find a way to save him.”
It wasn’t a question, so Jake nodded. “Somehow. I know she took off, but I’ll reach out to my contacts so they’re on the alert. Petra will do her tracking magic, and we’ll make sure we know exactly where Melissa is at all times.” It wasn’t one hundred percent certain, but he had his suspicions about another matter. “I don’t think she’ll try to take advantage of Jeffrey in the next while. She’ll be scared someone is watching her.”
“Good.” Tansy wilted against him. “We need to get our brains to aim at the next thing. Or at least I do, otherwise, I’ll start spiraling.”
“Then we do the next thing.” Jake stroked her back gently. “Need me to make a list of possible activities not remotely related to our current situation? And I hope that doesn’t sound glib or make light of what just happened?—”
“Of course not.” She let out a sigh that echoed off the wall. “I just admitted I need distraction, so I suppose this is as good a time as any to warn you I set up a surprise birthday party for you for tonight.”
Christ. With everything that had happened that morning, he’d completely forgotten. “Oh. It’s my birthday.”
“Yeah.” Tansy wiggled until she was sitting next to him, hands still tightly connected. “I didn’t organize anything elaborate. It’s not really a jump-out-of-the-cake surprise event, just a few people gathering in the barn and by the firepit. But all things considered, I figured you should know what’s up.”
“Thanks for that. Yeah, being prepared is better today, although I am working hard on my Boy Scout spontaneity badge.” Jake brushed his lips over hers. “You okay rejoining the family and making plans?”
“Okay.” She rested her forehead against his. “I love you.”
“That sounds really nice,” he offered softly.
Tansy snorted. “Excellent, but try again.”
A smile arrived far easier than he’d imagined. “I love you, Tansy Fields.”
“Good.” Her lips twitched upward. “Let’s go make plans.”
Melissa had left a note.
If I get harassed by the police, I’ll deny everything and you’ll never see us again. If you’re good, I’ll be in touch. Be ready to make a choice.
It wasn’t much to go on, but they all kicked into action mode. Petra set up her tracking grid, and Jake contacted the couple of friends still in the force he promised could be relied on to be more than discreet.
Tansy pulled herself together and tried her best to figure out how to balance the sheer joy in her head and the painful, stabbing pain in her heart.
Pulling together food for the birthday celebration helped. There was comfort in the familiar, although far too many people hovered nearby, ready to offer her a hand or a random hug. Far too much support for her to spiral.
