Page 53 of Where She Belongs

“But we were going to look at the constellations. Mrs. Abbott said we’d be able to see the lion and the crab if we went outside tonight. It’s supposed to be really clear.” More coughing drew his attention and his frown deepened.

Rylee’s father placed a gentle hand on Tate’s shoulder. “Rylee needs her rest. You’re going to have to go out another time.”

She peered up over the side of the couch and offered Tate a wan smile. “It’s okay, Tate,” she rasped, her voice nearly gone. “We can do it later.”

Tate didn’t move. He’d really wanted to take Rylee out by his treehouse and show her the constellations he’d worked so hard to find. His disappointment ached, but he nodded his agreement. “Okay.”

“Pinky promise?” she asked, her little finger lifting.

He rose, a small smile touching his lips. “Pinky promise.”

“That’s right,” Rylee whispered. “I remember that now.”

Tate held out his hand and when she accepted, he tugged her toward him. Then with little effort, he placed his hands at her waist and lifted her onto the tailgate. She squeaked with surprise, and he moved between her legs to get close enough to kiss her gently. Rylee leaned into the kiss and her moan was the sweetest sound.

He patted her knees when he withdrew from her. “All right, Ry-Ry. It’s time I show you Leo and Cancer.”

Rylee scooted back and he hopped into the bed beside her. When he settled at her side, he laced his fingers with hers. She moved her head closer to his, nearly against his shoulder. And he pointed up at the sky.

“Just there. That’s Leo. And there? That’s Cancer.”

She squeezed his hand and exhaled a contented sigh. “Do you know any more?”

They went on pointing out constellations and other clusters that caught her eye. Then the conversation shifted.

“Have you brought anyone else up here?” She didn’t have to say much more for him to get the gist of what she was asking.

He chuckled. “Just Jason.”

Rylee twisted and propped herself up on her elbow. “Really? Just Jason?”

He huffed. “What? You think that’s weird?”

It was her turn to laugh. “No.” Then after a moment she winced. “Okay, not really. But I would have thought that you would have brought…”

“Girls?” He arched a brow. “Nah.” The truth was, this place could be considered too intimate. And he’d never felt the desire to share his favorite spot with just anyone.

Not until Rylee.

“You really care about your family,” she murmured.

“Of course I do.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Like more than the typical person. It’s like…” She bit down on her lower lip in thought. “It’s like they’re your whole world. That’s…”

“Weird?” He repeated the word from before with a quirk of his lips.

She sighed. “No, not weird. It’s… admirable. I can tell how much they mean to you. How much you do to take care of them. Most people wouldn’t let their siblings live at home until they’re ready to move out and start a family of their own. In this day and age, everyone is trying to push their family out like a bird pushes its hatchlings from the nest.”

He barked out a laugh. “I suppose that’s a good point. But I wouldn’t say it’s admirable.”

“Oh, it definitely is.” She traced a line along his chest with her finger. “I’d say out of everyone I know, you’re the kind of person who wouldn’t bat an eye at sacrificing your own happiness for the sake of your family.”

He thought about her words for a moment, the instinct to shrug them off sitting hard on him. But she’d made a good point. Jason had said something that felt similar, though not in so many words.

“You know what I think?” Her whispers were so low that he nearly didn’t hear her. “I think that when someone as decent and good as you has a chance at finding happiness, he should. I think that opportunities like that don’t come around very often.”

He twisted so he could look at her fully, wondering if she was referring to them and their connection in this moment. He didn’t dare ask her, though. That would be taking things too far, wouldn’t it?