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“Yes, ma’am.” I kept my eyes locked on hers as I put my T-shirt over her head. She let the towels and blankets drop to her feet. Unfortunately, my enormous shirt went past her bottom, so I couldn’t steal a glance. I handed her the panties and took the wet towels to the laundry room.
When I returned, she was sitting on the sofa with the red knit blanket around her.
“Feeling any better?”
“Much better. Thank you for everything.”
“You know I’d do anything for you.” I sat in front of her on the coffee table.
“I do.”
“Found these in the drier.” I lifted her foot to put my wool socks on her, gave it a firm rub to warm it, and did the same to the other.
“You never cease to amaze me.” She scooted back, tucking her feet under her bottom.
“Been telling you what a catch I am since we were in middle school.” I clicked my tongue as I covered her with the quilt and tucked it around her so she’d be cocooned in it.
“Yeah, I’m too stubborn for my own good.” The appreciation in her brown depths tugged at my heartstrings. I doubted I’d make it to morning without kissing her sweet, pink lips.
“I won’t argue with that.” Needing to put some space between us, I went to put another log on the fire.
“Still cocky as ever.”
“Ya can’t teach an old dog new tricks, Honeybee.”
“Is it wrong that I’m relieved to hear that?”
“Why would it be wrong?” I felt her penetrating gaze burning a hole in the back of my head.
“Because I want things to be as they were before I moved away, and that’s just plain impossible. Everything changes. Nothing stays the same.”
I swallowed thickly as I turned around to face her. “And sometimes through all those changes, we grow to be better, wiser than we were. Maybe even value what we have and not take it for granted.”
“I’ll never take you for granted again.”
“Jesus, Shelby. I never once doubted your love for me. You left to pursue your dreams, and I wanted that for you. Rural living wasn’t for you, and I accepted it. I was the one who didn’t value you enough. I mocked your interest in art and college, when I should’ve cheered you on and supported you.”
“Stop it. You loved me so hard and perfect, and I threw it all away for a life I never truly fit into. And I just couldn’t admit I’d made a mistake.” Her eyes filled with tears.
“What do you mean you couldn’t admit you made a mistake?”
“My pride got in the way, Cade. You told me I’d be back in that smug voice of yours and I had to prove you wrong.”
I stared at her in disbelief. “You didn’t return to spite me?”
“No, no. To prove I could be successful and be someone other than a farmer.”
“Shit, Shelby. I don’t even know what to say. I thought you loved me.”
“I did! I do. And seven years ago, I was done and wanted to come home.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“You joined the biker club and moved.”
“Fuck!” I yelled and squeezed my head between my hands. “You should’ve called me. I never changed my number.”
“I know. Liv tried to convince me to reach out to you, but you were finally doing something for yourself, and I didn’t want to interfere.”
