Page 91 of Together Is Where We Belong

“I remember it all too well,” he said, causing me to break even further as I wrapped my arms around his waist and gripped the back of his shirt.

“I remember the nights we spent in the bed of my truck. I remember drivin’ down the backroads as I almost ran a stop sign because I couldn’t stop staring at you. I remember the reason I started calling you firefly as you stared into that Mason jar so proud that you’d caught more than anyone else. I remember how you felt in my arms as you laid over my chest so you could fall asleep to the sound of my heartbeat. I remember everythin’ all too well,” he confessed as he brought both of his hands to each side of my face.

I remembered everything too. I never forgot a moment of the time we’d spent together.

His nose caressed mine, and I sucked in a deep breath. We never stopped looking into each other’s eyes, and he tilted his head as his lips caressed mine.

I released my hold around his waist and brought my hands up to his chest as he deepened the kiss; the need to push him away was almost as great as the need to feel him closer.

His kiss wasn’t gentle. His kiss wasn’t careful. It was fierce, like he’d run out of ways to convince me to stay with his words. This kiss was so different from the previous one we’d shared. This kiss was like the years of missing me and him hating me and not knowing what to do with either finally caught up to him. For a brief moment I froze at the emotionally charged moment, ready to push him away.

But I didn’t. Instead, my fingers curled around the soaked fabric of his shirt as I kissed him back, hesitant at first, like I didn’t quite trust it, didn’t trust that he didn’t hate me like he’d said, like the argument hadn’t ended at all—just changed shape.

This kiss didn’t fix anything.

The rain continued to pour down around us. My past mistakes didn’t disappear.

He pulled back from the kiss just as breathless as I was.

“Don’t leave,” he whispered and I pulled him close, unable to get words out. I rested my head on his chest, and his heart beat rapidly beneath me as I held on tight and nodded into his soaked white T-shirt.

I didn’t answer him right away.

But I didn’t pull away either.

twenty-three

Leo

Sheriff Henry called me this morning to confirm that Mitchell Hale was in fact in Haven Valley; he just couldn’t pinpoint where exactly. I asked him if he could send an image of him over to me so that I’d know whom to keep a lookout. He sent it right over to me. Looking at his photo, he looked like a normal guy. Nothing stood out. He didn’t give off this evil vibe. I felt a rage like never before trying to consume me, but I pushed it down so I could stay levelheaded as I called a meeting between myself and my brothers, Gentry included.

Once we’d finished our day at the ranch, we all rode our ATVs and met at the Confession Tree so that we could speak away from any prying eyes.

I needed to do this quickly so that I could get back to Carolina and Luke. I didn’t care how much she fought me, I was staying at the ranch until the psycho was caught. I needed to be near them, and I hoped she’d make things easier on me and understand.

“How can we help?” Brooks asked as we all sat in front of the tree, Brooks beside me and Holden and Gentry sat across from us. Ainsleigh begged to be included, but I gave her a task so she’d feel helpful. I wanted to know how Mitchell managed to gain access to a secure building, so I had her digging into the reservations to see if she could find a link between the man who stalked Carolina.

“I have a photo of him. We need to remain extra vigilant while we’re on the ranch. He’s gotten access when he shouldn’t have once already,” I said as I pulled out my phone and sent the image to them in our group chat.

“This guy looks normal,” Holden said as he stared at his phone.

“I thought the same thing. He doesn’t give off stalker vibes, but I don’t even know what that’s supposed to look like,” I told them frustrated that we hadn’t caught him yet.

“If you can’t be here, someone needs to be at the house with Mom and Luke at all times. I’m sure we can get the ranch hands on board too,” Gentry suggested. It wasn’t a bad plan, but I wasn’t sure if Mom would go for it.

“We need someone watching Carolina too, but I don’t know how that’d work. It’s not like someone can follow her into patient rooms,” I replied as I let out a frustrated sigh.

“We’ll figure out a way to keep her safe,” Brooks promised, and I hoped we’d be able to follow through.

“I can’t lose them,” I said as I looked down at the ground. Just the thought of losing either of them or both of them… I just couldn’t think that way.

“You won’t,” Holden said, the promise deep in his tone.

“Let me know if any of you come up with a way to keep her safe. He won’t hurt my son ever again,” I said as I stood. I’d have loved it if I could convince Carolina to take a leave of absence from her job so she’d be on the ranch where we could ensure she was safe, but I knew she wouldn’t go for it. Her stalker had taken so much from her already. I couldn’t have him take yet another piece. I needed to get back to the house to check on them. Carolina had likely arrived by now since when I checked the time it was after five.

After dinner, Luke convinced us to play a board game that had us strapping headbands around our foreheads. It was a nice distraction from the threat that loomed.

Luke also convinced us to watch Rio yet again after his bath. I needed to find a way to convince him to pick a different movie. Earlier today I found myself humming along to the songs now stuck in my head after watching it repeatedly.