Page 90 of Ace of Spades
If you haven’t admitted it to yourself, you’re in love with her,Court had said.Love.Not a word he’d ever allowed himself to hope for, long ago accepting he’d spend his life alone. But watching his brothers fall for their wives, he’d tried not to envy them. As surprising as it was, he was in love.
And the big question? Had he lost his chance with Taylor?
Taylor stirred chocolate chips into the batter for the pancakes, the girls’ favorite breakfast. The K2 guys had taken turns driving through the night, and Rosie had called to say that they would be home in thirty minutes.
The girls loved chocolate-chip pancakes, piled high with whipped cream. It was a rare indulgence for them, but Taylor planned to spoil them a little this morning. She’d missed them so much and was probably more excited about seeing them than they were to see her.
Her phone pinged, signaling a text. She picked it up and swiped the screen, her heart giving a little stutter at seeing Nate’s name.
Leaving for Dunnellon. Give girls a hug for me.
She stared at the message, trying not to read anything into Nate texting her.
Hope you find your answers, she finally typed.
Me too
She thought they were done, but as she lowered the phone to the counter, another text showed up.
Can I stop by tonight?
No. Yes. She didn’t know.
Call when u get back
That would give her time to decide if she was ready to see him.
K
When she’d walked away to catch a ride with their boss yesterday, she’d wanted Nate to stop her, to show her that he’d fight for her. But he’d let her go without a word. She’d cried herself to sleep last night, alone in her bed. It was the last time she’d shed tears over him, though. If not for Rosie and the girls, she’d ask for a transfer. To the other side of the country, preferably. But she could never leave them, so she’d just have to suck it up and do her best to get over him.
Besides, what did she need a man for? She had a great job she loved, her little family, and a perfectly serviceable vibrator. Oh, and Henry Too. Mustn’t forget him. From nothing, she’d managed to create a pretty nice life for herself, and every time that part of her heart belonging to Nate hurt, she’d remind herself that she had no reason to complain.
At the sound of a vehicle in Rosie’s driveway, Taylor rushed outside. The K2 guys already had the side door to the van open and were helping her girls out. As soon as they saw her, all but Annie, who was in Ryan’s arms, ran to her.
Taylor dropped her knees to the ground and held out her arms. They tumbled into her, laughing and hugging her. “Goodness, look at your tans. Did you have fun at the beach?” She already knew the answer, as every evening when she talked to them, she’d heard how much fun they were having, especially burying Ryan and Jamie in the sand.
“Yes!” Sarrie and June exclaimed as one.
Bri wiggled out of Taylor’s hold. “We want to go on a beach vacation every year. Saint and Doc said we could come to Pensacola and see them. They said that’s where the prettiest beaches in the whole world are. Can we?”
“We’ll see. Right now, I’m just so happy you’re home. I missed all of you so much.”
Elle squeezed her arms around Taylor’s neck. “We missed you, too. You shoulda come with us.”
Not to be left out, Robin said, “I missed you the most.”
“Did not,” Bri said. “We all missed her the same.”
“Tay!” Annie yelled.
Taylor laughed when Ryan stuck his finger in his ear and shook his head.
“Girl’s got a set of lungs,” he said.
He put Annie down, and she wobble-walked to Taylor. “Tay!” she screamed again, falling into Taylor’s lap.
“Hello, baby girl.” Taylor wrapped her arms around Annie. “It’s about time you came home. Missed you.”
