Page 39

“I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you, too.” It came out hoarse, and she didn’t miss the worry underneath.

“I think we should slow things down a bit.”

He blinked at her a few times. “Slow things down.”

She nodded. “I want to be in the right headspace and right now, I’m still reeling from what happened.” She pressed her fingers against the worn wood. “I’m glad we’re talking. I needed to hear what you said. But I need a little time to feel settled again.”

It sounded sensible until the crease showed between his brows. Then she wanted to take it back and tell him she was fine.

She curled her fingers over the rail instead. She’d come here to tell him the truth.

Taking in a deep breath, she let it out through pursed lips. “I really want to continue dating you.” Heat filled her cheeks. Dang, this was embarrassing. “I told you I didn’t want to break up. That’s why I think we should slow down. Get back to a place where we feel like we’re on the same page again.”

“Okay.” He nodded once. “What would that look like for you?”

Lydia looked up. She’d prepared herself to explain why she needed this. Somehow, she hadn’t gotten as far as what came next.

“I still want to see you. Have dinner. Hear about your day.” Her mouth curved. “Tell you when you’re being impossible.”

“I’d miss that if you stopped.”

She managed a small smile. “I don’t want either of us pretending everything’s fine just because we’ve missed each other. If something bothers me, I want to be able to say so. Even if it’s awkward.”

“You can.”

“And if you don’t agree with me, tell me. I don’t expect us to agree about everything.”

He looked down at the rail before meeting her eyes again. “I can do that.”

“Chet?” she asked. “What are you thinking?”

His eyes focused on her, and he offered her a small, unsure smile. “Lydia, I really care about you. I don’t want this to be the end of us either. If you need to slow things down so we can get back to the same place, then I’ll do whatever it takes to make you feel safe.”

Her shoulders loosened. He hadn’t reached across the door or pushed her to stay longer. He was waiting for her answer.

Lydia slid her hand over his. His fingers turned beneath hers, warm and rough against her palm. For a moment, she kept her eyes on their hands rather than on him.

“Thank you.”

His thumb moved once across her knuckles. “You don’t have to thank me for that.”

She lifted her gaze. “I want to make sure you’re happy, too. Is there anything you want me to know? Anything you think would be helpful so we don’t find ourselves in a similar situation? Because I’ll tell you anything.”

He held her gaze for a moment, then shook his head.

“There is nothing more I need from you than your support and love,” Chet murmured.

Love. It caught her attention, and her fingers tightened around his. She wanted to ask what he meant by it, but they’d already covered so much. For now, she nodded and let his answer stand.

Lola chuffed from the next stall, loud enough to draw both their gazes.

“I think we’ve kept her waiting long enough,” Lydia said.

“Probably so.” Chet glanced toward the halters by the tack room. “I need to turn her out. Want to come with us?”

“I’d like that.”