Page 38 of The Rancher’s Ecstasy

Several minutes later she stood and splashed cold water over her face. She pulled the towel from her head and used the comb from her purse to comb her hair and take out as many knots as she could without the de-tangler she’d left at the cabin. She used the mouthwash, then tightened the towel around her body and opened the bathroom door.

A shiver of apprehension raced down her spine before a scream tore from her throat.

Cole pushed away from the door of the room and took a step toward Emily. “Whoa. Baby, I’m sorry...”

Emily pressed one hand against her mouth as she choked back a sob and held her other arm out defensively.

“Stop,” she said as a breath filled her lungs. “Just stop.”

Cole stood several feet from her.

Emily wiped the tears from her face. “I want you to go, Cole. I’m too tired to talk.” Her focus stayed on the floor in front of her.

“I’m not leaving, sweetheart. I fucked up. I’m not going to make excuses. I realize I haven’t truly put my experience with my ex-wife behind me. But I’ll deal with it later. Right now, I have to fix what I did to our relationship.”

Emily tightened her grip on the towel she’d wrapped around her. “You don’t have to do anything, Cole. What we had...”

Cole took another step forward, only stopping when she stiffened. “No, don’t say that. Damnit, don’t let my stupidity ruin what we have.”

Emily took a step away from him, stumbling when she came to the bed, keeping herself from sitting even though she didn’t know how long her legs would hold her.

“I can’t, Cole. Please. I’m just too tired to fight you.”

“I’m not going to fight you. But I’m damn well going to fight for you.” Silence descended. He watched her, and she viewed the floor.

“How did you find me and get in the room?” Emily whispered.

Cole cringed at the tightness of her voice.

“There are only two motels within thirty minutes of the ranch, and I took a guess. Thankfully, I picked the right one. I asked Carol to give me the key.”

“Carol, the lady at the counter?”

A smile tugged on his lips. “Yeah. She’s a charmer, isn’t she?”

Emily was startled when a chuckle burst from her mouth. Her eyes flew to his before returning to the floor.

“Em, please let me apologize. Please don’t let this tear us apart. And for God’s sake, please forgive me for being a dumbass. I’m a man. I’m going to make mistakes quite often.”

Another smile tugged at her lips.

Cole took a cautious step toward her and held his hands out in front. “I love you, Emily.”

Emily’s eyes flew to his face. “Wh-what?”

He took two steps to reach her and placed his hands on her shoulders, tightening his grip when she tried to pull away. He bent so she could see his eyes, and he could see hers.

“I love you. More than I ever expected I could love another person.”

Emily’s eyes widened, and she shook her head and placed a hand over her mouth. He nodded. “Yes.”

“No.”

Cole nodded again.

Emily’s eyes burned. She swallowed several times, trying to keep her tears at bay. She laid her hands on his chest, unable to tear her eyes from him.

Cole pulled her closer with his arms around her waist until their bodies met. “Do you believe me now?”