Page 94 of Stripping Bare
“Don’t,” she sighed. “We were apart for long enough. I may have excluded you from my life for years, but now that I’m back, please don’t do the same to me. You’re in trouble, and this time I want to help you and Tessa face it head-on.”
Tessa looked at him, her eyes telegraphing that she was waiting to see what he’d decide—to cover up the fact that he needed the people in his life or to show them he wasn’t anisland.
He knew Tessa wouldn’t leave Steele Ridge, wouldn’t let him handle this situation alone. Which meant he needed his loving, meddlesome family to help protecther.
“Fine,” he said toMicki.
She smiled and pulled Tessa into their hug. “Go get some rest, you two. I’ll be knocking on your door first thing tomorrowmorning.”
He squeezed her shoulder. “Bring your best stuff. I can’t work with inferiorequipment.”
The tired smile on Tessa’s face told him he’d said the rightthing.
