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Chapter Forty Four
July
****
Nate
“You sure you want to do this?”
She nodded, smoothing out her dress with her hands. It was the same yellow floral one she wore last year for her birthday. The nightmares about my crash still plagued me at night when I was alone. Luckily, they never happened on the nights that Katie stayed over. She seemed to keep my demons from swallowing me whole.
My mom offered to help pay for me to rent a place close by where Katie’s apartment was. I didn’t want to be far from her in case she needed something. My mom, however, gave me an entire speech about sexual responsibilities, which was probably more awkward since it was the second time she had done so. She said as much as she loved Katie, her finishing school and having a ring on her finger before she had a baby were non negotiables. It was awkward that my mom knew I was screwing around with Katie, but I agreed. School and a ring came first.
Her parents didn’t know how often we were spending our nights together. It was better that they still assumed I hadn’t fucked their daughter yet. We no longer needed to sneak around or try to figure out when we would see one another. Life was falling back into place the way I had wanted it to.
Talking it over with my mother, we both agreed it was best I wait until the fall to decide what I would do with school. She hated I had wasted so much time in school if it wasn’t what I wanted to do. It was hard telling her I was doing it to make her proud. I continued to work for Miles. He had even put me in charge of some projects he had started on his new build. My dream home.
“Alright. Then go ahead.”
Walking into Ryder's house, it didn’t take her long to emerge in full riding gear. Ryder was out in the paddock getting the horse ready for her as we walked toward her. I hung back as Ryder started going through everything that Katie needed to know before she got on the horse.
Pride exuded from me as I watched her. I knew she was terrified of riding, but she had it in her head that she needed to stop being scared. She needed to live her life and stop having regrets. Not telling me she loved me sooner was her biggest one. I didn’t mind the way she told me multiple times a day to make up for it now.
It was obvious how nervous she was, but Ryder was a brilliant teacher. They stayed out for over an hour until they decided we should probably eat something. Ryder took us to this family-style restaurant in town. It had been about six months since I had come home, but I still found it hard not to stare in amazement at her. She was truly magnificent.
Once we finished eating, we needed to head back home. Tomorrow was Katie’s birthday, and I still had to wrap her present.
“Well, hello there, stranger.”
Stopping me in my tracks, I heard a voice from behind me. I knew that Ryder and Savannah lived in the same town, but it hadn’t occurred to me I could run into her while we were here. Tucking Katie into my side, I turned.
“Hi.”
Katie looked back and forth between us, confused.
“I’m Savannah.”
She held her hand out toward Katie with a fake ass smile across her face. They shook hands, but I could tell Katie was increasingly more uncomfortable as she realized who this was.
“We’ve missed you on the farm. Daddy had a hard time finding someone as strong as you are. Plus, hard workers aren’t easy to come by. I’m sure everyone would love to see you again. You should come by for dinner this Friday.”
Adjusting my hat, I licked my lips before pressing them together tightly.
I knew I had to choose my words carefully. I wasn’t interested in whatever guilt trip she was planning on pulling.
“Thanks for the invite, but we already have plans. I’ll have to take a rain check.”
Nuzzling her head into my side, I wrapped my arm around Katie tighter as she slid her hand into my back pocket. She was staking her claim on me and fuck if it was the sexiest thing I had seen her do.
Savannah’s smile slowly diminished into a pout.
“I’m really sorry to hear that. It’s a shame you can’t move your plans and be a little more thankful to people who gave you a roof over your head and food on the table for free.”
“Savannah, it’s been nice seeing you, but I think you may be a little confused. It wasn’t for free. I woke up early every day to help your father on the farm. I already thanked your family and offered my services when I have availability. He refused and said I had already done my duty to him. So, like I said, my fiancé and I have plans. Have a great day.”
I half expected her to fight, but she didn’t as we walked away. Opening the door for Katie, she hopped into my truck. She was silent the entire ride home. I wanted to ask her if she was okay, but fear overpowered me. We had come so far since Christmas. I didn’t want a reminder of our past to ruin her day.
As we pulled up in front of her apartment, I didn’t turn the truck off right away.
