Page 70 of Make Me Whole
The engine rumbled to life and a few seconds later we were crawling toward the gate. My gaze bounced from the wide-open space to the tall imposing trees before landing on the row of cabins. There were guests milling about on the porches and kids running and playing on the patch of grass. Judging by the smiles on their faces, everyone was happy. And who could blame them? There was just something about this ranch that soothed a troubled soul.It doesn't need someone like you to poison it.I hated my conscience for mocking me in such a cruel way, but it didn't make the words any less true.
Bradley's fingers weaved through mine at the same time as we drove through the big gate. Unable to resist, I angled my head so I could get a look at him. His eyes, that were focused on the road, wrinkled in the corners due to the wide smile stretching his lips. There was something different about him, almost like the weight of the world had finally been lifted off his shoulders.
This man, this beautiful man, deserved so much more than I had to offer. He'd endured his own version of hell and was only just finding his way out of it. I didn't want to be the person who sent him straight back.
"You're staring, sweetness." His eyes flicked to mine. With nothing more than a quick glance those piercing blue depths touched the very bottom of my soul. My insides twisted and tangled; my feelings a jumbled mess.
"I know," I finally said.
I didn't think it was possible, but his grin grew even wider. "I like your eyes on me." The truck pulled to a stop before I could say anything else. Which was a good thing considering everything that was going on inside me.
Squinting, I leaned forward to get a better look at the place. Confusion had me drawing my brows together while I twisted in my seat. "You wanted to show me an empty space?"
Bradley rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze trained on me. "I do, yeah." His mouth opened and closed a few times, I got the impression there was more he wanted to say. But instead of speaking, he opened the door and was rounding the truck a second later.
Tugging on the handle, I hopped out as Bandit jumped from the back and took off running. By the way he was bouncing around, you'd think he'd just been sprung from jail. I heard Bradley's chuckle before his large frame hid the silly dog from my view. He was standing so close, I had to tilt my head back to look at him.
One corner of his mouth lifted into a smile, right before he bent down to steal a kiss from my lips. He started walking backward before spinning around and spreading his arms wide. "This could be the kitchen." He moved a few steps forward. "We'll have a wall to wall window right here. That way we can see the sun rise while we enjoy our morning coffee."
He rushed toward the next space. "…the fireplace can go here." And then another spot. "…how about one of those big jacuzzi baths over here, and over there we could—"
"Bradley," I interrupted. "What is this?"
He started toward me; those thick powerful legs eating up the distance between us. His hand immediately came up to touch my cheek when he stopped in front of me.
Flattening his palm, he speared his fingers into my hair. "If you stay..." he inched closer. "If you'll be mine, this is where I want to build a home with you."
My heart pushed into my throat and my head began to spin. Everything was happening so fast; I could barely keep up. "Sweetness." I felt the warmth of his breath against my mouth. "I know I've jumped about ten million steps ahead. I can't explain it any other way than it feels like I've been waiting for you my entire life and now that you're here, I don't want to waste even a second." There was a long pause before he added, "You're it for me, Hailey."
My tummy bottomed out while the thumping inside my chest found a new gear. My throat felt dry and my mouth stuffed with cotton balls. I swallowed and swallowed but the lump wouldn't go down.
I squeezed my eyes shut and after taking a steadying breath I opened them again. There were cement blocks where my feet were supposed to be, but still, I managed to untangle myself from his hold and take a step back.
"Hailey?"
I shook my head slowly. My eyes stung and my heart hurt. "I can't stay."
