“I meant, I don’t want to go back to California. That house is filled with my sorrow and the evil ghost of Trey’s and my relationship. After being in Paradise Springs, I realized that I’m done with that part of my life.” I meet his eyes. “I want to be here.”
His expression is guarded. “It’s not France, but Paradise Springs does have its own charm, and Dot can make some damn fine French baguettes.”
“And…you’rehere,” I tell him, my voice tentative because I’m trying to step into this slowly and I’m scared that I might be walking too fast for him because I’m pointing out that one of the main reasons I want to stay is because of him.
A pulse of anxiety runs through me because he doesn’t look pleased.
I’m moving too fast. I shouldn’t have said anything.
Of course it’s too much. What was I thinking?
I put a hand on his. “Unless… well, maybe you thought that this… us, I mean, is just a temporary thing. Which is fine.” I frown at the wall because I’m bungling up my words and he’s still staring down at his boots, his expression deadpan. “I’m going way too fast for you, aren’t I? I didn’t think I could feel joy again. I didn’t think I could get this from someone else and want it—comfort, protection, happiness. I don’t want to scare you away because I know it’s a lot and?—"
“Thisdoesscare me,” he says, finally looking at me, his eyes solemn. “It scares me because I’ve developed strong feelings for you in such a short time. But remember what I said? I get scared, but I do the thing.” His solemn eyes roam my face beforehe meets my eyes. “I’m doing the thing. I’m all in, as far and as deep as you want to go.”
We’re grinning at each other when the attendant comes in, pushing a wheelchair.
“My legs work just fine,” I tell him. “It’s just my head that’s not great right now.” I try not to think of the ugly sutures and the shaved area on my scalp. Where’s a cowboy hat when you need one?
“Hospital rules,” he explains.
John wheels me to his pickup, then hoists me up and sets me inside. “You know I’m taking you back to my house and I’m going to cater to your every need, don’t you?”
“Then you might want to stop at Dot’s on the way.”
“I planned on it.” He makes a quick stop at Dot’s, ordering me to stay put, then returning with a box of pastries and a decaf coffee for me. Before we pass the turnoff to Heaven, John pulls the truck over and hops out, walks around to my door, and opens it. “I want to show you something. You up for a piggyback ride?”
I wrap my arms around him and burrow my face into his neck while he takes us down a path that looks familiar. “Stop tickling me, Tiny,” he grumbles.
I kiss his neck.
“That could be dangerous.”
A line of thick-trunked strangler figs forms a barricade in front of us. “Hey, I know this place! I was here a few days ago.” It seems so long ago when I sat on the dock of the pond and talked to Cat.
He sets me down. “You mentioned that you wanted to stay in Paradise Springs, and I saw the sketch you made of this pond. Ijust happen to know that the owner of this property is willing to share. For practically nothing.”
“Share?” I frown at him. “What does that mean? Like I buy half of it?” We step past the trees, and the sparkling pond blinks at us. It’s even more gorgeous than I remember. “For practically nothing? Why? What’s wrong with it? Is there a sinkhole on it? Isn’t that a big thing here in Florida?” I scan the property and droop a little. “What a shame. Would I get the half with the sinkhole?”
“Look, Tiny.” He takes my arms and pivots me toward him. “You get whatever darn half you want. And there is no sinkhole.”
“That’s a relief.” I smile up at him. “Because I want to buy the whole thing. They won’t sellallof it?”
“So, you’d want to live here?” He bends down and plucks a beach daisy and hands it to me. “I mean, after it’s fixed up some.”
“Yes. I’d love to live here. It’s beautiful.” My grin’s so big that it hurts my head.
“This is my property, Tiny.”
“Oh.” I cock my head. “You’re trying to sell me your property? You said you loved it.”
He takes my hand. “I’m not trying to sell it. I want you to stay. Here. Or anywhere close, so we can get to know each other better. But maybe someday, you and Monster and that little cowboy you’re carrying will want to share this propertywith me.But if that’s too much to think about right now, I understand. I just want you to stay. In Paradise Springs, so I have a fighting chance to make you fall in love with me.”
I squint out at the new boards on the dock. “You fixed up the dock for me, didn’t you?”
He shrugs. “It needed fixing. For liability reasons. I didn’t want trespassers to sue me if they tripped and fell into the pond.” The corners of his lips twitch.
He piggybacks me back to the pickup, and I wrap my arms around him tight. When we get to the pickup, I kiss him on the neck. “Thank you.”
