Page 65 of Back in the Country
“You what?!” The words are practically a screech, and I’m pretty sure that dogs two counties over just heard me.
“You wereeighteen,Marlee, and I saw the way you looked at him. Hell, you still look at him like that.”
This seems to give him pause before his expression hardens again.
“I won’t apologize for you going to college, gettin’ an education, and having work experience.”
“I appreciate your good intentions, but when I went back to school I met Caleb and Isettledinto a relationship.”
“I thought you liked him.”
“I liked him fine, but what we had was a college romance. It was easy and then I leaned on him when things got hard.”
“Isn’t that good? Isn’t that what kids your age are supposed to do?”
I look up at the ceiling and pray for strength.
“Sorren, you’re not listening.”
“I—”
“He proposed!” I growl as I dig the heels of my hands into my eyes.
“I told him no,” Sorren says quietly.
“Excuse me?”
“Caleb asked my permission, and I told him he wasn’t right for you.”
“It wasn’t your choice! It wasn’t your choice with Waylon, and it wasn’t your choice with Caleb.”
“Should I have said ‘yes’ then?” he asks indignantly while completely ignoring my comment about Waylon.
“He asked anyway so what does it matter?” I shake my head as the headache I’ve been nursing ratchets up a notch. “Unbelievable—and he’s still texting me.”
“I just wanted to protect you. That’s what I’ve always wanted—do you want me to take care of him?”
“You need to give me the benefit of the doubt that as a grown-ass woman I know what I want. And no, I can handle him.”
He doesn’t say anything, so I keep going.
“I’m leaving on Thursday for the presentation in Kentucky with Robin—which you know nothing about because this is the first time we’ve actually talked since you came home. I’m kicking ass, Sorren. I’m going to be transitioning to a per diem position with my current company so that I can start my own.
“Willow Creek Designs is my baby and I’m so damn proud of it. Do you hear me? I am starting my own design company. I’ve been helping people around town— family and friends—and Ilove it.”
He rubs at his chest with his fist.
“I’m happy for you, Marlee girl. You know I am.”
Standing, Sorren braces himself with his hands gripping the back of his chair. There’s still distance between us but it’s less. I also still have this urge to pick a fight, but I’m losing steam, and if the exhaustion in his eyes is any indication, so is he.
“You gave me everything I needed to get to this point, and I’m so thankful, but you need to let me make my own decisions now. I can take care of myself, and if I need help I’ll ask for it,” I add pointedly. His lips twitch.
“I missed you,” he says quietly.
“I missed you too, but you can’t keep pushing me away while still thinkin’ you can tell me what I can and can’t do.”
“Have you always been this bossy?”
