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He slowly shook his head.
Nancy stretched her fingers forward to touch him gently but he took a step back, just out of her reach. She inhaled shakily. “I was angry, I…” Her words were so quiet, so defeated as his expression turned cold.
Without a word, Weston turned on his heels and walked straight to the front door. He didn’t even glance at me as he slipped outside.
The room was heavy. Even the younger kids seemed to understand that something devastating had just occurred. They were all frozen, laden with a burden that Weston had shouldered alone for far too long.
A fear that I think he’d held, even subconsciously, was manifested today by words spoken in anger. His reasoning that he stayed away from town out of habit, didn’t ring quite so true anymore. It seemed to have shifted some time ago to making sure he didn’t mess up his family's name. Something I don’t know if he even realized was influencing him before this all occurred.
Jeb broke the icy stillness, walking to Nancy with obvious disappointment on his face, though he touched her with such tender love despite the things she’d said.
My gaze slid to Cassidy who nodded subtly at the door. Spinning around without a word, I quickly whisked back out into the dark, cold night air to find Weston. He didn’t scare me. He wasn’t a savage, and who cares about my reputation. What I did care about was him, was the man who cared so deeply for me; he’d risked his life several times for mine. For the man who’d spent the past couple days attempting to give me the most perfect first date. For the man who was trying with everything in him to make our first Christmas together absolutely unforgettable.
This was for us.
I found him leaning against the railing, facing the field of cattle on the opposite side of the vehicles. His eyes were downcast, somehow there was a cowboy hat back on his head, pulled tightly to hide most of his face.
Without hesitation, I walked up directly behind him and slid my arms around his waist. Holding him tightly, I felt his breathing shudder as I closed my eyes and rested my cheek against his back.
And we stood together in silence. Where I was desperately wishing to take away all of the pain that he was feeling.
Chapter 13
**WESTON**
It shouldn’t have bothered me so much, since it wasn’t like I cared what the town thought about me. But my mom had a point. What they thought affected Tenley, her family, and my family. It seemed lately I did nothing but screw up, first with Butch, and now with everyone else. She also wasn’t wrong, I was acting like an impulsive boy, especially around Tenley. But I also felt a level of joy and freedom these past couple days I hadn’t felt in years.
Thanks to this beautiful woman whose arms were wrapped around my body.
Everything I’d done was to make sure that my family wasn’t ruined because of me. And on top of that, was I really dragging Tenley through the mud simply by being with her?
Tenley’s sweet voice pierced the cold, hollow world around me. “I thought you looked so cool when that dude tried to beat you up. You didn’t even throw a single punch back and totally made him look like a fool.”
A smile cracked upon my lips.
“And your mom is just overwhelmed and stressed. The festival, and then setting up for this grand party that you guys apparently throw on Christmas Eve. She didn’t mean what she said,” she added with a whisper.
I dipped my head and looked at her fingers twisting tightly into my sweater. “But what people think about me does affect you now, darling,” I quietly admitted.
“And no one thinks you’re a savage, Weston. Especially those that were there when he tried to fight you and saw what actually happened,” she replied and I felt her shift away from my back. Suddenly, this woman was wiggling and squirming underneath my left arm, trying to squeeze between the fence railing and myself.
I smiled a little wider and stepped back, allowing enough room for her to crawl up the wooden frame and sit on the top rung. She lifted her hands and, without hesitation, grabbed my face. Her fingers danced across my cheeks and then ran over my mustache. Which tickled my nose and I crinkled it, trying to avoid sneezing, and she giggled.
“Just give your mom time. There was a miscommunication, and once she calms down, we can explain—”
“I’m taking you home,” I cut her off and she pouted.
“Excuse me? That was rude,” she grumbled and I smiled again. “Anyway, like I was saying, when things calm down, like tomorrow, we can explain what really happened. And she better apologize, even if I was angry…” The softness in her face twisted into anger. She was upset with how my mom had spoken to me, even if it wasn’t true and she had merely been overwhelmed.
My Tenley was upset over what had happened to me. I shouldn’t like it, but you know, I kind of did.
“I should get you home, though. Really,” I whispered, and she rolled her eyes as I stepped between her legs. Her fingers slid from my face and she wrapped them around my waist again.
“No.”
“No?” I furrowed my brows, and she nodded sternly.
“I’m not going home.”
