Page 103 of Sterling Stone

Taxi’s face softens. “I’ve heard that about you. Devoted.”

“Does devotion scare you?” I ask, still teasing but holding my breath a second.

“Not as much as I thought it would,” she says, leaving me a little puzzled but mostly pleased. The last thing I want to do is frighten Taxi. Tonight, I just want us to have fun.

“Good.” I tap her nose and lean in for one more kiss. “Now, your chariot awaits.”

I sweep my hand toward the door, implying we should go, so we can attend the dance, have that date, and then get onto something that won’t be quick. Because I want time with this woman. All the time she’ll allow me.

“My chariot?” She jokes, swaying her hips before reaching for a leather jacket on a hook by the door.

Taking the jacket from her, I hold it open while she slips into it. With her hair pulled up, exposing her smooth skin, I can’t help but take another sip of her, inhaling her citrus and honeysuckle scent.

She hums in her signature way before spinning to face me. “Is it true what they say?” She plucks my hat off my head and sets it on her own.

Wear the hat, ride the cowboy.

“Guess you’ll have to wait and see.” I wink, then tug my hat back off her head and set it on mine. With one hand on her lower back, I open the front door with the other and lead her to my truck.

Heading off for the only first date that has mattered in years. The kind that makes a man hope for more.

A change of season.

A change of heart.

The Miltons are old money in our community, and their home sits up on a ridge that has a clear view of downtown Sterling Falls, which consists of two cross streets, one stoplight, and a town green space. Their personal property is more like a compound, with a large main house mansion, and several smaller homes on the land, plus a giant barn that’s been renovated and used as more of a gathering place than a shelter for animals. All Milton County residents are welcome to rent the space for weddings, parties, and more.

“I could never imagine being that settled, so settled that an entire mountain was named after my family,” Taxi says, reminding me of how unsettled she can be.

I haven’t missed how Taxi fidgets sometimes. We’ll be at her aunt’s, dinner finished, the day almost over, but her knee will be bouncing, or her fingers twisting together, like she needs to move, needs to do something. Needs to be more creative than just cooking and cleaning and playing chauffeur to her aunt and Simon.

“One reason Em and I were meeting the other night is the heightened security needed for the dance,” I explain.

Taxi wasn’t initially thrilled to find me having dinner with Emerson, and it was a good lesson in miscommunication. I haven’t had to explain myself to anyone in years, but if I want Taxi to feel comfortable with who I am, what I do in this town, I need to be more open about my position.

“Everything okay?” she asks, concern etched in her voice.

“Just your typical small-town stuff.”

When we arrive, the gravel lot near the barn is full, and a grassy area has been designated for parking overflow. I park my truck along the outer edge.

“I’m not on call tonight, but you never know when there might be an emergency.”

Taxi’s gaze falls to my forearm, where my sleeves are rolled up. The stitches have been removed, and I’ll have a small scar if I don’t keep up with the ointment the doctors prescribed.

“Always Superman,” she teases, but underneath the cheerful tone is hesitation. A continued hint of wariness. Whether that’s about my position or her fear of me getting hurt on the job, I can’t be certain.

“Can’t really turn it off.” I shrug, making light of my job when I take it very seriously, which is why I agreed to meet with Emerson the other night. She’s had an issue and the department is keeping an eye on the situation.

Once I hop out of the truck, I round to Taxi’s side and help her out as well. She instantly loops her arm in mine, and we walk across the grass toward the barn that’s lit up like Times Square, only the glow coming out of this space is one solid halo-yellow tone, giving it an ethereal appearance. Like something magical rests inside the old structure that’s weathered on the outside and newly restored inside.

“How are we playing this out tonight?” I ask, knowing Taxi is hesitant about our relationship. We haven’t exactly been discreet in front of Trudy and Simon, nor my family, and this space is public. This date matters to me.

“Playing what out?”

“Us.”

Taxi stops short, forcing me to spin and face her.