Page 61 of Jameson’s Salvation

“What’s wrong?”

Jameson gently guided her chin back to him and waited.

“My life is a mess right now. I feel like crap. I look like shit. I guess I’m letting all of my female insecurities get the best of me.”

Honesty. Jameson loved that she hadn’t tried to hide from him.

“You hit a bump in the road. We’ll get past it. And you could never look like shit, you’re beautiful.”

“A bump? I’ve hit a dead end. Game over.”

Tears welled in her eyes and Jameson struggled to find the words to comfort her.

“Babe, the game is not over. We have many more moves to make. We’re getting closer. This will all be over soon.”

Kennedy swiped the tears away and winced in pain.

“I’m out of moves. Even if I went out tomorrow and got a job at the grocery store, I wouldn’t be able to come up with the money I need to keep my house in time.”

“Money is not an issue, Kennedy. You will not lose your house.”

“I have to pay my taxes, Jameson. I could sell my truck, that may be an option.”

“You’re not selling your truck either. I’ll cover your taxes and—”

“No!”

“What do you mean, no?”

“No way am I taking your money. I don’t take handouts. Either I earn it or I don’t have it.”

Kennedy’s voice was firm and absolute. Certainly he could pay her taxes behind her back, and avoid the argument all together but that would be shady, and Jameson didn’t do anything behind anyone’s back. It wasn’t his style.

He thought about the best way to approach the situation to get what he wanted.

“I want to invest in your business.”

Kennedy barked out a weak laugh. “There’s not a business to invest in. Everything’s gone. Even if I plowed my plants under and started over, it’s too late in the season. Nothing would grow. And from what I saw, my hives burned to the ground. And there’s the other problem, no one’s buying my products anymore.”

“I’m not investing in plants and bees, I’m investing in you. I’m investing in the future.”

“I can’t—”

“Shh.” Jameson rubbed his thumb across her lips. “Just think about it. You don’t need to answer right now.”

Kennedy remained quiet for a while and Jameson sat patiently waiting for her to gather her thoughts.

“I’m not sure I want to ever go back there.”

“You will.”

“I freaked out just being in the driveway.”

Jameson didn’t need the reminder; he couldn’t forget the look of terror and devastation on her pretty face.

“You’re being too hard on yourself. I knew it would come. Your home is a place where you’re supposed to feel safe. I’m actually surprised it hadn’t come sooner, after Peyton broke in. You were violated twice. Two times, Kennedy. Cut yourself some slack. We’ll stay here until you’re ready to go back. And if we try it again and you’re still not ready, we’ll come back here and wait some more.”

“I was wearing earbuds, listening to music. That’s why I didn’t hear whoever hit me approach.”