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“You gonna let me meet her?”
“Will you scare her off?”
His mouth flattens. “Does she need scarin’ off?”
“No.”
“Then no. I won’t.”
I tip my chin and finally open the passenger door. Anna’s worried expression has my stomach sinking.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, he’s just surprised to see you. Are you up for meetin’ him first? I know it’s kind of throwing you in the deep end, but?—”
Her hand on my arm has my brain failing to form words. I gulp, ensnared by the warmth in her pretty brown eyes and the comfort a single touch from her can evoke.
Not only can I not form words, but I can’t form a single thought other than Anna, Anna, Anna.
“It doesn’t matter to me when I meet everyone. I’m just happy to be here with you.”
With me.
I don’t let myself think twice about my next move. Covering the hand she has placed on my bicep with mine, I give it asqueeze before linking our fingers. I shift our hands to the centre of my chest and hold her stare, grateful for the first time that she opted not to put her mittens on. I like the feeling of her bare skin against mine, the softness far too addicting.
The corners of her lips tug into a delicate smile. “You should probably let go of my hand first, though. You’ll be introducing me in an entirely different way if you don’t.”
“One introduction would probably be better than two,” I say, mentally kicking myself in the ass the moment the words are out.
They’re unfair. Unfair and premature. Whatever it is that’s going on between us is temporary. She’s in Cherry Peak to stay, and I’m planning on leaving. Sooner or later, we’ll have to say goodbye.
Pulling her into my life by bringing her here was already a big decision that I’ll probably grow to regret later. But anything more than this and we’ll leave this town in rubble.
So why can’t I stop touching her? Why does her goddamn presence make me feel more awake than I have been for the past few years? I don’t think I’ll have the time to get all of the answers I need.
Especially when I’m keeping the other half of myself hidden from her, withholding the truth about who I’m labelled under in her phone. I have to tell her soon. Preferably today so I can stop carrying this weight around whenever we’re together.
I release her hand, forcing a smile that I hope doesn’t look as fake as it feels.
“Let’s go, then, Cowboy,” she teases, tucking her hands into her pockets.
My jacket looks better on her than it ever did on me, and I grit my teeth when one passing glance over her body is enough to turn me rock solid.
I lead her toward my grandfather, subconsciously drifting a hand across her lower back. My spine straightens when he swings off Kip and takes his first real look at her, his eyes slightly narrowed. It’s not an abrasive look he gives her, but it’s not warm either. I knew it wouldn’t be; I can only hope she did too.
“Wade Steele,” he introduces himself, extending his hand for her to shake.
She grips his hand in a tight shake. “Annalise Heights, but you can call me Anna.”
“Nice to meet you, Anna. Welcome to Steele Ranch. I hope my boy gave you a bit of a run of the land before you got here.”
The term of endearment has my chest tightening. “I told her enough.”
“Why don’t you head inside and say hello to my wife. Last I heard, you made quite the first impression on her. She’ll want to get you out of those boots before you ruin ’em out here.”
Anna looks down at her boots before meeting Grandpa’s waiting stare. “You make a good point.” Her eyes flick to me. “Guess we should be getting a move on, then.”
I shift closer to her before turning to Grandpa. “Call me if you need anythin’.”
