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He didn’t like the sound of worry in her voice. He took her hand. “Whatever it is, I’m here for you. No more secrets between us. Okay?”
“I agree. You know I’ve been worried about Jaris.”
“Me, too. Something is off with him for sure.”
“It might be about me.”
“Maybe. You were shot. Dealing with that has been all that either he or I have thought about ever since. We want to keep you safe.”
“You both have been amazing, but I’m not sure that’s all it is. I’m afraid he might’ve picked up on how I feel about him. That might’ve put him in an awkward position.”
Chance still wasn’t sure what Jaris’s change of mood was about, but he was beginning to realize what was troubling Kaylyn. “You have feelings for him?”
“Yes,” she said softly. “I feel for him like I feel for you.”
His gut tightened. “You mean you love him?”
He heard her take a deep breath. “Yes, Chance. I do. I have for some time. You do understand that it doesn’t take away my feelings for you?”
“I’m not sure what I understand right now, Kaylyn.” He leaned back against the headboard. “I know you’re from Destiny and I know what kind of families live here. I just never imagined that was the kind of life you wanted. Now that we’re finally together, I was hoping I would be enough.”
“Are you angry with me?”
“Of course not, baby. I’m just confused. I didn’t grow up here. For me it’s always been one man and one woman. Two people building a life together, clinging to each other.” He touched her face and felt a tear, which broke his heart. “I love you, Kaylyn, but I don’t know if I could share you with anyone.”
“It’s not that you’re not enough, Chance. My heart is big enough for both of you. I’ve actually dreamed of the three of us together and how wonderful it would be.”
“Kaylyn, this is something I have to think about. I need some time.”
“I understand.”
“Have you told Jaris how you feel about him?”
“No, but I must. I kept my feelings for you secret for so long and it nearly killed me. I won’t go through that again. It isn’t fair to me or to Jaris, even if he doesn’t feel the same way about me.”
Chance thought about the possibility of Jaris rejecting Kaylyn, but he knew better. Thinking back about his talks with his best friend, it was clear that Jaris had feelings for Kaylyn, too. He’d never given much thought to it before, thinking she was out of reach for both of them. But now, after he finally had her in his arms, he was on the verge of losing her again—and this time to a man who was like his brother.
He pulled her in close. “Baby, we both need more rest. Let me sleep on this, okay?”
“Okay. I really love you, Chance, and I don’t want to lose you.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart.” He felt more of her tears fall on his chest, which crushed him. He wanted to say something that would make her feel better, but what could he say? Nothing.
Chapter Ten
Jaris put his arm around five-year-old Jake, who was the son of Belle, Shane, and Corey Blue.
“Mr. Jaris, the water is changed for all the dogs,” Juan, Jake’s brother, said.
“We also cleaned out the pens for Rex, Blue, King, and Rosie.” Stephen was one of the older boys. “They’ll be all set once they are found and come home.”
The sadness in his voice was clear. All the boys were worried about the dogs. So was he. So is Kaylyn.
“Very good job.” He was anxious to get finished with the chores and get to Kaylyn and Chance.
His talk with Emmett last night had turned him around. He was envisioning jumping into the Destiny way of life heart and soul.
* * * *
