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“Boundary lines,” Davis explains. “We own the land all the way back to the falls. Land we’ve let sit for a good ten years.” He rubs his jaw. “With the ranch finally making some money, we could put it to use.”
I frown. “Knock it down?”
“Not sure yet.”
“We’re in the north,” I say, remembering what he told me about the direction of the cabin. “And the ranch is…” I incline my head to the left. “That way.”
“That’s right.” Davis’s deep voice is hypnotic in the dark. “You want to go inside?”
“No.” I smile when there’s a rustle of fabric, and Davis drapes his jacket around my shoulders. “Tonight is a night for secrets.”
He eyes me with amusement. “You sure Fallon didn’t slip you a shot?”
I laugh. Heat warms my chest. I feel alive. Breathless. Becoming.
Squish rolls in my belly, and I press my hand against the patter of his little feet. My son.
This night. Freedom.
There is something in the air, a rush of brave.
A rush of me.
“Secrets, then.” Davis exhales and I watch those big shoulders of his relax. “Okay. You start.”
I smile in the dark. “Pregnant woman goes out to a bar and has a great time.”
Davis grips my thigh with his brick of a hand. The steady brush of his fingers provides a comfort. “Man on the verge of killing every brother he has.”
I laugh. “You’d never.”
“Don’t tempt me.” He sighs and removes the whiskey bottle cap to take a swig. “Ford was out of line.”
“He was, but…we can bullshit or we can tell the truth.” At my words, Davis arches a brow. “It’s something Fallon said tonight,” I explain. “And I think she’s right. I think what I’ve been doing ever since I got back here is bullshitting myself that I can get back what I lost. And I can’t.”
Davis looks at me, but stays silent, carefully scooting closer.
I blow out a shaky breath. “I realized tonight that the girl I used to be is not coming back. And that’s okay.”
Tears prick my eyes. I study the outline of the gnarled and twisted trees in the darkness. Scenes out of a horror story, but with Davis beside me, I’m not frightened. I am safe. And it’s why I came back, isn’t it?
To have something, someone to hold on to—strength.
And Davis is one part of that strength.
But I’m the other part.
“Aiden King,” I say.
Davis hitches a breath.
Saying it out loud is like releasing a poison.
“That’s my ex’s name.” My stomach knots as Aiden’s face flashes in my mind, but I push on. “I met him when I worked as a pastry chef at La Rêve. He made me feel special, visited me early in the morning while I prepped my kitchen. He became my lover. And then my investor. He was charming, handsome, rich. Holy trinity on paper.” I chance a glance at Davis. His face is tight, emotionless. I know it’ll never be easy for him to hear this.
I take his hand, then say, “I was stupid, I suppose. Some girl from Montana who thought she could make it, who thought she found a light.” I sigh. “I never saw what he was until it was too late.”
“No. Not stupid.” Davis strokes my arm. “Dakota, you’re not a bad person for looking for a good love.”
