Page 102 of Freeing the Wild
Atta girl.
After all the confusion and life-changing decisions I made today, all I want is to talk to him, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Call me?
My phone rings immediately.
“That was fast,” I answer.
“If I knew all I had to do was send you food to get you to call me, I would’ve done it weeks ago.”Haden’s voice fills my ears and I have to sit down on the bed to absorb the feelings that pulse through me.“Plus, I’m sitting on my sofa eating your favorite snack—alone—so of course it was fast.”
My phone buzzes and I pull it back to look at what’s just come through.It’s a photo of a bowl of caramel corn settled in Haden’s flannel-clad lap.I would do anything to be there with him right now.
“How did you know my address?”I ask.The way I miss him almost takes me out at the knees.
“Ivy,” he answers quickly.“I ordered it through Meal Mate.”
“Right.Helps to live on the same property as my sister, I suppose.”
“She supported the caramel corn package,” he adds with a chuckle, “I watched your show the other night.You fucking killed it.”
“You did?”My heart thuds in my chest.
“Yep.Sat in my truck in Penny’s driveway and ate my supper while you played.”
I fiddle with the tie on my robe.I’m wearing the dopiest smile.
“You miss me or something, Cowboy?”
“Or something.”
“I miss you too,” I say softly as I lean back against the pillows that are propped against my headboard.I close my eyes and lose myself to him, realizing now just how lonely I’ve been without him.
“Goddamn it’s good to hear your voice,” I admit.I pop a few pieces of caramel corn into my mouth.“I’m eating with you, so what are we celebrating, Cowboy?”
Haden chuckles into the phone.“I’m gonna make an offer on Penny Lane.I talked to the bank today and they approved me for a loan for the amount I can’t cover right away.And this way I’m able to give Penny what she deserves.”
“Haden, that is so incredible!”I say.“I’m so fucking proud of you.God, I wish I could hug you right now.”
“Oh yeah?”he asks.I can hear the amusement in his voice.
“Yeah,” I say but it almost sounds like a moan at the end.
“Cass … have you been drinking?”
I close my eyes and smile.“Yep.”I exaggerate the P.
“Mmmhmm,” he says.“Then you’re staying on the phone with me.”
I grin bigger.“Why?”
“Because you lose your inhibitions when you drink like this.You took all your clothes off last time.Remember?”
My core instantly starts to heat at the thought.
“Well, I don’t have hot cowboys wandering my building, so I think I’m safe,” I tell him.
“I’m not taking my chances.”His voice is gruff as I hear him set his bowl down.“And be careful.The last thing we need is for you to slip in the shower when you’re all by yourself.”
