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When Trey’s big, black truck finally came down the road, relief filled her and spilled out in the form of a long sigh. She got out of her car and started across the wild grass to the other road, so she was waiting there when he pulled up.
She yanked open his door and stepped up onto the running board. “I’m sorry,” she said instantly. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve come after you immediately, and I should’ve just accepted your apology, and I should’ve done so many things differently.”
She took his face in her hands and gazed at him through her tears. “I’m sorry. Of course I forgive you, and I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“I feel like a fool,” he said instead, his eyes as soft as his voice. He let them drift closed, and while there wasn’t really room for her on his lap with the steering wheel and all of that, he still pulled her into place, using one hand to slide his seat back as far as it would go. “What did your dad say after I left?”
“Nothing,” Beth said, placing a kiss against his cheek. “None of them said anything.”
“I don’t believe that.” Trey pressed into each touch of her lips against his skin, first his lower jaw, then right below his ear. He smelled like fresh air and barbecue sauce and musky leather, all things Beth wanted in her life for good.
“I love you,” Beth said. “Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has bad days. They don’t care why we got married. Please, please come back and have lunch with us.” She pulled away and opened her eyes, waiting until he did too. “With me.”
“I ruined my boots,” he said, and he sounded so wounded about it.
Beth smiled at him as she gently tugged on his cowboy hat to get it off his head. She loved this vulnerable side of him, and as she touched her mouth to his, a brand-new kind of fire ran through her veins.
She didn’t kiss him for long before pulling away. “Trey, baby,” she whispered. “You have enough money to get new boots.”
“I liked those ones,” he said, his voice rough around the edges and full of air. He kissed her again, threading his fingers through her hair and holding her in place this time. Beth felt cherished and loved under his care, but she didn’t let the kiss go on too long.
“I’m starving,” she said. “I had to tear down a blanket fort this morning and birth a calf today, and I still haven’t eaten.”
Trey licked his lips and opened his eyes. “Right. Let’s get you back to the farmhouse for lunch.”
“You’re coming too, right?”
“Yes,” he said. “I’ll come.” He glanced out the windshield. “Do you want to drive your car or come with me? We can come get it anytime.”
“I’ll come with you.” She wasn’t sure how she managed it, but she somehow slid off his lap and across the console to the passenger seat. “Let’s go.”
He started down the lane, one hand draped lazily over the steering wheel. “Thanks for not making me suffer for a few days,” he said.
“What?” she asked.
He looked at her while they were stopped at the highway. “My mom said she always makes my dad suffer for a few days while she plans the food she’s going to make to let him know she forgives him. That gives him enough time to get a gift, and they make-up that way.”
Beth blinked at him before giggling. “I’ll take a gift,” she said. “I don’t think I need to make you suffer, though.”
“That’s why I said thanks.” He pulled onto the highway. “Your dad really didn’t say anything?”
“Nope.”
“Kait?”
“Not a word.”
“What did Sally say?”
Beth sighed and looked out her window, the familiar annoyance only aimed at herself. “Do you think I’m selfish?” she asked.
“Not particularly,” he said. “Did she say that?”
“And a whole lot more,” Beth said. “The problem is, she’s right.” She folded her arms again as if that could keep the bad things out and the good things in. “I think she’s right.” Her brain seemed stuffed to capacity, and she didn’t know how to sort through the thoughts and feelings fast enough.
He pulled into her gravel driveway, and Beth looked at him. “Trey, I apologize if I’ve ever done anything to make you feel like I don’t care about you, or that I don’t appreciate everything—and I mean every single little thing—you’ve done for me and TJ.”
The Lord had been right; all she’d had to do was open her mouth, and there were plenty of words waiting to come out.
