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She smiled and touched his cheek. “I’m so happy to hear that. I love the idea of being able to see you more. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too. We’re a family, and it’s time we started acting like one.”
Tears filled her eyes, and his heart swelled.
“Even Aiden will be here more. He’s officially on leave. No more undercover assignments for him for a while.”
His mother clapped her hands together in delight. “That is so good to hear.”
“He and Sylvia are planning to recuperate together. Who knows where that might lead?”
She opened the patio door and looked out at her beautiful backyard. She took a step outside and sat at her small patio bistro table. “I have to admit I like the idea of the two of them together, and not just them. How is Jacquie doing?”
“Better. Right after we leave here, I’m going to see her. I’m hoping she will let me take her to dinner.”
Her eyebrows rose. “You mean like a date?”
“Yep.”
“Maybe there is hope for you two after all.”
He smiled and kissed her cheek. “Maybe. Now let’s go get your groceries.”
After an afternoon of setting up his mother in her new home, Chase went back to the inn to check them out and move their belonging to her house. Jacquie had agreed to dinner, and he’d have just enough time before he had to pick her up. Nervous energy filled him, and he found himself rearranging his things until he finally realized what he was doing and left the room.
Why was he so nervous?
“Mom, there’s a notepad on the counter. Start making a list of things you need and I’ll pick them up tomorrow.” He started for the door. “I’ll be late.”
“All right!” his mom yelled from her room in the back. “Have a good time.”
“I will.” He hoped. He drove slowly to the ranch, trying to decide what he wanted. Did he want to return to Granite Falls? He had to admit he liked the idea of being near Aiden and his mother again. They had a lot of healing to do as a family, and they couldn’t do it if they were all living in separate towns and never speaking to each other.
Now that Aiden was back, there was a chance to repair a lot of the hurt inside all of them. He thought of his mother arranging her new dishes in her cabinets. She was so happy, she couldn’t stop smiling. That alone made everything that happened worth it.
He pulled up to the ranch.
Now he just had to see how he felt about Jacquie. He was pretty certain he still loved her, but he didn’t want to jump into anything. They had to be sure. Their relationship couldn’t take another let down, and she was too important to him to hurt her that way again.
He parked the car and walked up to the porch to pick her up for their date. Hopefully, the first of many.
Only time would tell.
* * *
Three weekslater
Jacquie pulledup to the ranch feeling a mix of sadness and excitement. She’d just turned in her badge and her gun. Her law enforcement days were over. Now she could devote all her time to running this ranch and helping Callie plan her wedding. She smiled at the thought. Things were definitely changing around here.
She thought of Chase and the last few weeks they’d had together. They spent a lot of time laughing, dreaming, and getting to know one another all over again. It was nice.
For a little while, she’d forgotten he didn’t live here, that he had a whole other life in Charlotte.
A life that didn’t include her.
Until he left.
Watching him drive away had hurt more than she’d cared to admit. Somehow she’d let him back into her heart, and now she was paying the price. But the pain was bittersweet. This time she was glad they’d had their time together. She’d enjoyed it, and maybe someday he’d be back and they could try again. Right now, she wanted to focus on this ranch.
