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“You can. I insist.”
“I don’t have any place to keep her.”
“I’ll keep her until you can.”
“It might be years.”
“As long as it takes.”
She pursed her lips, and pulled back away from her horse, her hands still stroking the golden head. “Why are you doing this?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not doing it to get any brownie points. Just wanted to be clear about that.”
“Okay. That’s clear.”
Did she sound disappointed? He couldn’t be sure.
“You gave up a lot in order for me to win the championships. You kept our daughter-”
“Which I shouldn’t have. I should have told you.”
“But you did it so that I could do what I’d always dreamed of doing.”
She didn’t argue.
“It was a sacrifice I didn’t deserve. I’m not rich, not by any means, but everything I have now, I have because of you wanting the best for me. Doing what you could to make sure I had every opportunity to be successful. How can I not return that if I can?”
She opened her mouth, but he held up a hand.
“But it’s not just because I think I owe you.”
“I hope not!” Her words were fervent.
That made him smile.
“It’s also because...You said yesterday that love doesn’t mean anything unless your actions show it. This might not be the best way to show it, but you and Goldie belong together. If I can make sure that happens, I will. Just...because I love you. And, honestly, I think I always have. Even when we were just friends. That night...that night we had together wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been in love with you already. I guess the alcohol made me less worried about losing our friendship. Even though I regret that sin, I...I loved that night.”
An image of Dakota, her eyes closed, a small smile on her face, her hair spread over the pillow as their hands twined together and he leaned over her to kiss her forehead slipped into his head. His throat closed at the feeling that swept through him. Longing for her to be his, not just for a drunken night, but for forever.
But he’d told her he loved her and she hadn’t had any reaction other than to turn away from him and put her forehead on her horse’s broad head.
He swallowed. He could handle it if she didn’t feel the same. If she tried to let him down easy. But not if she chose to cut him out of her life completely. Surely she wouldn’t. Not with Maddie in the picture.
“Ryan?” she said, as she let go of her horse and turned toward him.
“Yeah?” His heart lodged in his throat as he waited. The seconds ticked by, feeling like each one contained a year’s worth of worry and care.
“I love you, too. I think I always have. How could I not after what you’ve done for my girls, wanting them both, and for me, fixing my store, making me smile.”
He opened his mouth, but it was her turn to put her hand up.
“But it’s not just that. I love your character and your desire to do right. To see that Rachel needed a dad as much as Maddie did and being willing to step in and fill that role. Not just willing, but asking if you could. Your integrity and your willingness to sacrifice to do something kind for me.” Her lip trembled a bit. “You make me feel safe.”
“You are safe. With me.”
“I know. I know you would never hurt me. Not on purpose.”
His heart jumped.
