She made him ache.
“The program isn’t enough,” she whispered. “I know it won’t be enough. Not if it takes me away from you.”
Her soft hands clasped his, righting every wrong in his world. He wanted to pull her into his arms, but he simply stood there, holding her hands, running his thumbs over her knuckles. “You don’t have to do this.” Somehow she’d found out about the money. She had to have, or she wouldn’t be here. “I didn’t find that program for your mom so you would give up everything you’ve worked for and come running back to me.”
“That’s not why I’m here.” She shook her head as though frustrated. “I mean, it is. Kind of. Darla told me, but it’s more than that. I was looking at this town house, and it was so empty and lonely. Exactly how I felt before you kissed me. I thought about it—really thought about it—and I realized that my life would mean so much more with you in it.”
She kissed him lightly, as if she couldn’t stop herself, but then she pulled back. “I don’t want to live in fear anymore. I want you to be a part of my life.”
“I want that too.” More than he could ever express to her. He smoothed his hand over her silky hair. “But you don’t have to stay in Topaz Falls.” No. He should rephrase that. “I don’t want you to stay in Topaz Falls. The program will get Lulu on the path to healing.” He wasn’t stupid enough to think it would fix everything forever, but it would be a good start. “When she comes back to town, we’ll all check on her. Jessa said she’ll hold the job for her. So you can go.” He rubbed his hands up and down her arms, loving the feel of her, loving that she stood here with him, being brave and open. “You need to go.”
An internal struggle played out in the nervous twitch of her lips. “What about us?”
“It doesn’t matter where we are. We’ll make it work. It will work. I just know.” Nothing had ever been so clear to him. He tightened his hold on her and looked into her eyes, every barrier that had stood between them now in ruins. She was finally his.
“Thank you,” she whispered, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him.
He could respond only by opening his mouth to her and losing himself in the force of a shared passion. The power of it flowed through him, making him invincible. Or maybe not him, but his love for her. It would last through anything.
It would be the driving force in his life.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Funny how it could hurt so much to leave a place you never thought you wanted to be.
Cassidy stacked another box near the front door of her cozy house. When she’d bought the place, it had been a move of necessity, prompted by desperation. They were going to lose the house her father had built, and this was all they could afford.
The first time she’d walked through it, the gold shag carpet and the shimmery popcorn ceilings had made her cringe. Now though, glancing around at the 1970s vibe she’d never had the time or money to remedy, those same features brought a smile.
Over the last few days while she’d packed her things, she’d allowed herself to revisit the past more than she had since before Cash’s death. She’d allowed herself to let it hurt, and somehow, in the midst of that pain, she’d also found freedom. Cash’s death was part of her story—part of what had brought her here to the place where she could walk forward into a new adventure. It was also what had bonded her and Levi’s hearts, once she’d finally let it. The same tragedy that had shattered her life was now putting it back together, and that gave her hope for Lulu too.
“I sure hope this is enough for a month,” her mother said, dragging her rolling suitcase into the living room. Lulu was still moving slowly, but she’d insisted on leaving for Utah as soon as possible.
“I think they do your laundry for you.” Cassidy hurried to relieve her of the suitcase. She parked it next to the tall stack of boxes and turned to her mom. “You’re sure about this, right?” She’d asked every day since her mom had told her about the inpatient program. But this was it. Lulu’s last chance to bail. Today they would drive down to Denver and drop off some of Cassidy’s things at her rented town house before she and Lulu flew to Utah together. She’d insisted on traveling with her mom and staying for a few nights until she’d gotten settled. Then Cassidy would fly back and have one day before the residency program started.
Once again, the details of the plan overwhelmed her with a headache.
Lulu walked over, looking sassy in her jeans and cowgirl boots. “I’m sure,” she said, squeezing her daughter’s shoulder confidently. “I’m ready. You’re starting something new, and I should too.”
Cassidy nodded, emotion welling up the same way it had all week when she’d thought about being apart from her mom for so long. “I’ll still be here for you. Whenever you need to talk, you can call me.” They could FaceTime and Skype. “And I’ll come up on my days off. I’ll be here as much as I can once you’re back home.”
“I know you will, honey.” Lulu eased down to the couch as though packing had worn her out. “But I want you to love your life in Denver too. You have to promise me that you’ll enjoy every moment. I can come down there and visit you. We can go to fancy restaurants and the theater.”
“Yes. Oh, that’ll be so fun.” Though it would take some getting used to—not being her mother’s parent anymore. For the first time, maybe they’d simply get to be friends.
“Did someone call for a chauffeur?”
The sound of Levi’s voice never failed to weaken Cassidy’s knees. She spun and opened the screen door so she could throw herself into his arms. Knowing they’d have to be apart soon, she planned to spend as much time in his arms as she could.
“Hey, baby.” He greeted her with a rather suggestive kiss, which she fully indulged in before leading him into the house.
Once they’d stepped inside, he surveyed the stacks of boxes and suitcases. “This is all you’re taking?” His tone poked fun at them.
“I’d like to see you pack for a month-long getaway.” Lulu stood and hugged him.
Once again, Cassidy’s heart melted at the careful way he handled her mother.
“All I need is my boots, my jeans, and my belt buckles,” he said, guiding Lulu back to the couch. “But I’m happy to load up a truckload for you ladies.”
“And I’m happy to watch.” Cassidy loved watching him use that body of his. It was quickly becoming one of her favorite pastimes. Just yesterday, she’d gone out to the corral to watch him train…because she knew she’d have to get used to the idea of him riding bulls. And yes, she’d held her breath when he’d gotten thrown—but she’d also appreciated what his body could do.
Afterward, she’d appreciated what his body could do in the shower too.
Ahem. Before Levi or her mother could tell what she was thinking, Cassidy handed him a box. “Here. This one’s pretty light.”
A perceptive squint narrowed his eyes. He knew she was moving things along, and he knew why.
“One box?” He bent and lifted a whole stack. “I can easily take four.”
Yes he could. Those powerful arms tensed with rippling muscles, proving he could handle that and much, much more.
Cassidy fanned herself as she scooted in front of him and opened the door. “This is better than Magic Mike,” she said as she followed him outside. He paused and swiveled his hips in a comical little dance before loading the boxes into the back of his truck.
Laughing, she met him at the tailgate. “We need to work on your moves.”
“Oh, I have plenty of moves.” He nudged her body against the fender of his pickup and swept her hair aside before kissing her neck.
A thrill prickled over her flesh as she draped her arms over his shoulders. “I’m going to miss you. So much.”
“Damn, darlin’.” He lifted her into a hug that swept her off her feet. “I’m gonna miss you too.” His eyes were magic as he rested his forehead against hers. “But that’ll make it even better when I see you again.” He set her feet back on the ground, tho
ugh she may as well have still been floating.
“Hey! Hey you guys!” Theo sprinted over from his front porch.
“Theo. My man.” Levi gave him a fist bump. “How’s it going?”
“Great!” The boy held up his foot in the air to show off his boots. “Look at my spurs! My mom found ’em at the store.”
Cassidy and Levi both oohhed and ahhed over the plastic toy spurs.
“I can’t wait to come back to the ranch,” Theo said. “You’re gonna call me when you get back, right Levi?”
“Right. As soon as I roll into town, you’ll be the first to hear about it.” He took a knee next to the kid. “So you keep on practicing those roping skills. Got it?”
“Got it.” Theo looked up at Cassidy. “I’m gonna miss you. Won’t be the same around here without you.”
“I’ll miss you too, buddy.” She leaned down to give him a hug, wondering how long it would take her to stop choking up every time someone said goodbye. “But I’ll be back to visit a lot. And maybe I’ll even bring you some surprises from the city.”
His eyes widened. “That would be awesome!” He took off across the yard again. “I gotta go. I’m supposed to be eating lunch. See you guys soon!”
They waved as he disappeared into the house.
“So what surprises are you going to get me in Denver?” Levi asked as he held her hand and led her back toward the house.
“I’m pretty sure they have some good lingerie stores…,” she whispered just before they stepped inside.
His puppy dog eyes made it look like she was torturing him.
“You two are cuter than a bug’s ear.” Lulu was still resting on the couch.
Cassidy glanced at Levi and grinned.
“Sorry.” Her mother stood. “I don’t mean to make a fuss, but I couldn’t be more tickled that my two favorite people in the world have found such happiness together.”
“There’s a lot of happiness yet to find,” Levi told her, hoisting up both of her suitcases. “For you too, Lulu.”
“I know.” She walked to the window and peered out. Cassidy followed.
One by one, the boxes disappeared as Levi hauled them out to the truck while Cassidy and her mom watched.
“Levi promised to bring Sweetie over right when you get home.” While she hated leaving her mom, it helped that she’d have a sweet, furry new roommate. That dog had been so good for Lulu, and Cassidy had no doubt she’d continue to help her heal. Loki, however, would likely not love the new arrangement.
“I’ll look forward to that.”
“Don’t forget to stop by Darla’s place a lot. And visit baby Charlotte at the inn.” More than anything, she didn’t want her mom to ever feel lonely.
“I will.” Lulu put an arm around her. “You don’t have to worry about me anymore, honey. I’ll have everything I need. And knowing you’re happy”—she touched her fingers to the corners of her eyes, wiping away tears—“that brings me more joy than you’ll ever know.”
* * *
“Hey, you okay?”
Cassidy shook herself. She’d been staring out the window, watching the city pass by in a blur of lights. She turned to Levi, trying to smile. “Yeah. I’m fine.” She’d gotten used to being fine no matter what. But truthfully, the enormity of what was coming tomorrow had started to overpower her chipper confidence.
After a long flight delay, she’d gotten into Denver four hours late. And she was exhausted. Emotionally, it’d been harder to say goodbye to her mom than she’d thought, even though the treatment center was incredible.
She pressed her fingers to her temple, trying to ward off a headache. “Just a lot on my mind,” she said apologetically. She hadn’t had time to unpack anything at the town house before they’d left for the airport. Hadn’t had time to rearrange the furniture or even sort through her clothes to get everything organized. And she had to be at her first orientation at seven o’clock in the morning. “I’m sorry.” She slipped her hand into his. “This is all more overwhelming than I thought it would be.”
Levi lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “That’s why I’m here.” He eased the truck into a parallel spot in front of her new rental and cut the engine. “It’s all gonna work out. Don’t worry. After a little rest, maybe a nice long soak in that new garden tub, you’ll feel better.”
“Not sure there’ll be time for that,” she said as she climbed out of the truck. Truthfully she wanted only to fall into bed and sleep. Then maybe wake up in a few hours and make love to Levi before she fell asleep again. But first she had a lot to do.
Together, they walked up the stone pathway that led to her front door. The town house was nice—a stone facade with echoes of the fifties. It was brightly lit, and as Levi had insisted, it was in a very safe neighborhood where she could walk to the grocery store and some fun cafés.
She dug for her keys and unlocked the door, bracing for the mess as she stepped inside. When she flipped on the light, her tired eyes slowly focused.
There was no mess. Not one box. The furniture she’d ordered from Ikea had all been put together and placed around the room in a cozy setup—the small couch and chair clustered around the fireplace. A desk and office chair in the opposite corner. Even the television set had been mounted and hooked up to a cable box…
“Surprise.” Levi took her hand and led her farther inside. To the kitchen, where every cupboard had been stocked in a meticulous order. “You even alphabetized the spices,” she murmured, opening every door.
“I figured you wouldn’t have time to get much done. So I took some creative liberties.”
The strength that had buoyed her through the chaotic last couple of days crumbled. A sob hit her in the lungs.
“Whoa.” He caught her as she started to deflate under the relief of what he’d done. “Is it okay?” he asked nervously. “I wasn’t sure about the spices. But I figured you can’t go wrong keeping them organized.”
“It’s more than okay,” she said, crying. She’d cried more in the last five days than she had since Cash’s funeral. But according to her mother’s new therapist, that was healthy. “It’s beautiful. It’s the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me.” She was already so nervous about her new job. Now she didn’t have to think about anything else. She didn’t have to make any decisions. “Show me more,” she murmured, leaning on him.
“Gladly.” With a naughty grin, he led her back to the bedrooms. “This is the guest room.” He flicked on the light. Everything was neat and tidy. He’d even made the bed. “But my favorite room is over here.” He whisked her across the hall to the master bedroom.
“It’s beautiful.” She walked around slowly, taking in everything he had done. The walls had been painted a serene cloud blue. Her new queen-sized bed had been put together—complete with a charcoal-gray tufted headboard. The crisp white bedding had been laid out with care, and there were the orange pillows she’d pinned on Pinterest.
On her new dresser, Levi had arranged some pictures—of her family, her parents…and one of her with Levi and Cash in high school. She picked it up. “You thought of everything.”
“Well, there is one thing left to do.” He eyed her with that hungry gaze as he strode across the room and took the picture from her hands, carefully setting it back on the dresser. “We still need to test out the bed.”
Capturing her in his arms, he pulled her down to the soft mattress with him. “Gotta say, it’s pretty comfortable.”
She rolled onto her side to face him, already working the buttons on his shirt. Suddenly, she wasn’t tired anymore. “It won’t be nearly as comfortable when I’m in it alone.”
He slung a leg over her and urged her closer. “I promise to make up for my absence whenever I come home.”
“Home?” Cassidy pushed up to her elbows to get a clear view of his eyes.
“Yeah.” He swiped his thumb down her cheek. “Home is you. Here. Or in Topaz Falls. Wherever I can hold you. Kiss you.” He l
owered his lips to hers. “Make love to you…” The low tenor of his voice shivered through her as he slipped his hands up her shirt.
She shifted onto her back and tugged on his shoulder until his body covered hers. “How did I ever survive without you?” she asked, slipping his unbuttoned shirt off his shoulders.
“You were strong,” he murmured, shimmying her shirt over her head.
“But you make me stronger.” Her hands brought his face back to hers and she held him there so he could see the gratitude welling up in her eyes. “It won’t be easy to be apart. I’ll miss you a lot.”
“I’ll miss you too.” He stroked her bare shoulders. “But I promise you, Cassidy Greer, no matter what happens, I’ll always come home.”
Epilogue
Welcome to Topaz Falls, Colorado
Elevation 7,083 feet
Rodeo Capital of…
The truck blew past the green welcome sign.
Wait a minute. “What did that say?” Cassidy strained her neck to look back over her shoulder.
Levi rested his hand on her thigh. “Aw, Hank added a couple things. You know him.”
“What did he add?” She settled against his shoulder again. The large bench seat had plenty of room spread out, but she’d spent the entire drive from Denver attached to Levi’s side. Even after a month of seeing him occasionally, she couldn’t keep her hands off him.
“It said Rodeo Capital of the West Central Colorado Rockies,” Levi announced dramatically.
She laughed. “That’s quite a specific title.”
“Yeah. The only one he could technically claim.” He slowed the truck and turned onto Main Street. “You should’ve been at the town meeting. That was one of the better taglines he proposed. Trust me.”
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