by Lindsey Hart
“Of course! You’re my family, Ginny. I would never ask you to leave!”
“What I’m getting at is you think that you’re incapable of love but I see the amazing generosity, kindness and compassion in you. You treat everyone here like family. You see every living being as a soul worthy of life. You raised your sister when you should have been enjoying your own youth. That all speaks to the ultimate love. Your entire world is built on love. Open your heart, Asha. Let Colt in. Take a chance. Because, the truth is, you’ll likely find he’s been there all along.”
Asha didn’t bother to stop the flood of tears that cascaded down her cheeks. Ginny shoved back her chair and the next thing Asha knew, she was wrapped up in soft, frail arms, her head pressed against a chest that smelled like fresh baked bread and baby powder deodorant.
Ginny’s words echoed through her soul. You’ll likely find he’s been there all along. It was true. Every single word.
Asha’s tears turned to sobs and she clung to the woman who was like a grandmother. She cried for the loss of her parents, for the grief that was still raw. For the near loss of the man who meant more to her than she’d ever been able to admit. Colt was her rock. Without him she was just… she was nothing at all.
How do I tell him?
Asha knew. She knew that all it would take was one quiet admission to change Colt’s whole life, to heal the parts of him that she herself had wounded and broken. Maybe, just maybe, it could heal her too.
CHAPTER 21
Asha
Once Asha decided that she wanted to tell Colt what she felt, there was no holding her back. She’d spent her entire lifetime avoiding telling him. She didn’t want to wait a minute longer.
She drove back to his place, hoping against hope that he was still there. His truck wasn’t in the driveway. He was probably out in the fields. She was going to go find him, but something irrational, strange, drew her to his house.
If they did this, truly did this together, one of them was going to have to move. The thought of leaving her house scared the hell out of her. She forced her feet forward, over Colt’s porch and into his house.
She entered the kitchen, as dirty as ever. I should clean it up for him. Clean it up and take care of it like he’s taken care of me.
Asha set to work. Once the dishes were done she decided to open the fridge and check to see what was molding away in it. The thing was ancient, the kind of monstrosity that ate up electricity. Those fridges were in high demand. Everyone wanted them for their man caves or garages.
She pulled open the door. The fridge was virtually empty. There was a tray of chicken breasts in there. She skipped over those, purposely not looking too closely. She opened the age old crisper and stared in surprise at the bags of store bought vegetables.
What the hell?
Asha shut the fridge and glanced around the kitchen. She spent another hour tidying up before she moved on to the laundry room and put a load into the washer. She went upstairs, to Colt’s room and stood in the doorway. She didn’t feel like an intruder.
I feel like I’m home.
She moved quickly, making up the bed, picking up the dirty clothes. She didn’t pause to dwell on the fact that she’d spent the night in that very bed and the world hadn’t ended. If anything, she was happy.
The sound of a truck in the driveway, and a minute later, footsteps downstairs, alerted her to the fact that Colt was there. No one else would just walk into his house.
She slowly descended the stairs and found him frozen at the foot of them, staring up at her in surprise.
“What are you doing here?” His words were a quiet whisper of disbelief.
“I…” Asha moved her hands to her hips. It was weird, standing at the top of the stairs, talking down to Colt. “Why is your fridge full of store bought vegetables when we have a whole garden full?”
Colt’s face actually reddened. “I ran out and I didn’t want to come bothering you for more.”
Asha was stunned. She had never known fully how stubborn Colt could be. Until now. She found that she had to laugh. “You’re as proud a man as I’ve ever known, Colton. And likely as stupid.”
“That may be,” Colt admitted. He started to climb the stairs. His large frame grew closer and closer and Asha remained frozen to the spot. “What are you doing here, Asha?” His lips were only an inch from her face. It was strange, being almost eye level as he stood there, three steps below her.
“I… I wanted to tell you something. I want to do better, by you. Give you the things you need. I’m scared and I don’t even know what that means or if I’m capable but… I love you.”
Colt’s mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. His dark eyes took on a sheen that she had never seen before. When he moved it was slow, gentle. He moved up a couple of stairs and folded Asha into his arms. She melted against him. I don’t care if I ever move again in my life. His arms, when she finally let them be, were the sweetest shelter in the world.
He took a deep, shaky breath. “I love you, Asha. I always have. You’ve always been my sun. Totally blinding and beautiful. The center of my universe.”
Asha’s eyes welled up with tears. They spilled down her cheeks, yet again. Would she ever stop crying? She reached up, twined her hands around Colt’s neck and guided his face to hers. She kissed him deeply, sweetly, drinking him in. “I’m sorry that I hurt you all these years. I don’t know if I’ll ever be the partner you truly need, but I want to try,” she whispered huskily after she pulled away.
Colt’s eyes shone, the love in them unmistakable. “That’s all I can ask for then. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“You’re my sun too,” Asha whispered. “You’ve always been my centre. I’ve turned to you more times than I could count. You’ve been there, through it all. I’m sorry that I’m stubborn and selfish. That I made my heart so hard. I want to feel now. Everything. With you.”
Colt’s grin and the fire in his eyes was all the answer she needed. She gave a squeal of surprise when he scooped her up in his arms and carried her down the hall to the bed she had just made up. He laid her down gently and started stripping off his clothes with a flurry that made her laugh. She’d never seen him move so fast in his life.
“I just made this bed,” she protested.
“Good. It’s going to be real exciting unmaking it then.”
Asha laughed softly. Her heart had never been so full. This was just the start. The start of taking chances. Surprisingly, opening herself up didn’t hurt. Instead she was flooded with warmth, promise and a hope that she’d been waiting her entire life to feel.
CHAPTER 22
Gabriel
Gabriel wasn’t surprised at the small knock on the cabin door. He was planning on heading back to the city and Asha knew that she was supposed to come finalize all the details of the website with him.
He’d expected her that morning but figured she must be busy. He knew he had to suck up the embarrassment and lingering humiliation he felt and say a proper goodbye. He had to be a professional. That’s what this whole thing was about. It was just a job. It was utterly ridiculous to hope for anything more than that.
Gabriel called out what he hoped passed for a greeting and Asha entered. She stepped into the cabin like something was holding her back. The uncertainty and discomfort on her face let him know that she would rather not be there at all.
“I- uh- just came to talk about the website. I know you’re going back to the city tomorrow. I’m sorry, I was busy earlier.” Her eyes shifted and she blushed prettily.
His heart didn’t exactly sink but he did feel an inkling of disappointment in his chest. I shouldn’t. She’s done nothing to encourage this. He was the one with the childish crush. Asha wasn’t to blame for the attraction he felt or the obvious disappointment that she was already taken.
“Yes. Thanks.” Gabriel made room at the table, fired up his laptop and let Asha sit. He put some distance between them, retreating across the cabin.
She browsed through the mock up website, spent time reading the articles and checked through his mock up posts for her social media.
“These are really great.” Asha turned and smiled shyly. “You did a great job. I can really see what Katelyn was talking about when she said we needed this.”
It was nearly his turn to blush. Asha stood awkwardly. She clasped her hands in front of her and studied them.
“I’m sorry,” Gabriel blurted. “For coming here and not exactly staying focused on this. It was completely unprofessional and I probably made you uncomfortable or maybe even put you in a tough spot with- uh- with Colton.”
When she looked up, those ethereal blue orbs locked on his face. Slowly, so very slowly, her smile returned. “That’s alright, Gabriel. You being here made me realize a few things too. Actually, more than a few things. I don’t know if I would have figured them out if I hadn’t really been forced to think about it. So I guess I have you to thank for that.”
“Oh.” His stomach did a strange flip flop. He couldn’t have been more flustered. He wasn’t exactly sure what she was talking about, but if he was responsible for that ray of happiness that glistened in her eyes as she spoke, then perhaps he hadn’t been such an idiot after all. “So, I can email you before the site goes live? Or with updates and what not?”
“Sure.” Asha stuck out her hand. He stared at it for a second. It was so much more than just a business-like shake. It was her gesture of forgiveness and goodwill.
Gabriel clasped her small, rough palm and shook her hand. He didn’t linger longer than he should. He retracted his hand and stuck it back at his side. “I’m glad you asked me to come out here. It’s refreshing to see how you see the world.”
“I thought you said it was a little pointless.”
“You may have changed my mind.” He squeezed the words out past a tight laugh. “Although I may be ready to go back to the city where I don’t have to see any more animals giving birth.”
Asha laughed, a soft, chiming laugh. “I wish you well, Gabriel. Really.”
He nodded and watched her walk out of his cabin. Long after she was gone her scent lingered on the air. He breathed in, and strangely, instead of the longing he had felt when he first arrived, he felt a little more at peace. Asha was a part of this land. This was where she was meant to be. He would never want to live this lifestyle. He was happy in the city. He enjoyed the vibrant life, the culture, the art. He had friends there.
Asha was a dream. A fantasy. He needed something real, a promise, if he truly was to be with someone.
She said he’d taught her a couple things. Funny, he felt that she’d returned the favour tenfold.
EPILOGUE
Asha
Asha heated Colton up a plate of food, trying not to breathe in the scent of freshly harvested hay and oats, as her stomach was already doing flip flops. She set it down on the table and watched Colton dive in hungrily. He finished off the plate in a matter of minutes. Asha sat down with a cup of tea. Black for Colt, peppermint for her.
October brought more intakes, two cows, three sheep and a dog with three legs that the entire farm adored. It was strange, how life could change so much in just a few short months. Asha hadn’t asked Colt to move in and he hadn’t pressed her, but they spent every night together.
Colt himself didn’t change. He was still kind, still Asha’s best friend, still her rock, her foundation, her strength. The only thing that changed was that now he was truly happy. He was radiant. He never let a morning or an evening pass without telling Asha that he loved her.
Loving Colt was the best thing Asha had ever done in her life. When she finally let her walls crumble and let him in, she found a new joy, a depth of emotion, a passion, that she had never known before. Colt’s gentle touch had quieted the fears that never went fully away.
“Still not feeling well?” Colton asked, glancing at Asha with concern.
Asha blushed. She was touched that he was so perceptive. She normally drank mint tea but lately she’d been so nauseous it was her go to drink.
“No,” Asha admitted.
“Maybe you should see a doctor,” Colt replied, looking Asha in the eye.
She had to smile. “Like you would?”
“No. Not like me.” Colt’s tone was filled with dry humour. He blinked once. “I’m worried about you. You haven’t been feeling well for weeks.”
“I thought it was just anxiety at first,” Asha admitted. “But I went and saw my doctor this morning so you can quit worrying. It turns out I’m going to be seeing her a lot more.”
Colt slammed down his cup of tea so abruptly that liquid sloshed over the brim. “Why? What’s wrong, Asha?”
Asha whirled. She grabbed the roll of paper towels from the middle of the table and started to mop up the spilled tea. “Nothing. Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” She set the paper towel aside, sunk back into her chair and gripped Colt’s hand. It was the same solid, calloused hand with oil worked into the creases, that she had always loved, somewhere deep down. “Nothing is wrong with me. We’re going to have a baby.”
Colt was so stunned he just stared at Asha, not blinking, for a very long time. Then he exploded out of his chair with a shout, and grabbed Asha into a tight hug. She laughed and wrapped her arms around Colt’s neck. She kissed him, savoring the taste of his mouth, the feel of his lips.
“Colton, I love you,” she whispered. “You’re going to be an amazing father.”
He shook his head, disbelief still etched on his face. “Asha… my love. My life. The mother of my child.” Colt looked at her in wonder. He slowly released her from his arms. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles before he drew her back into his arms. Asha went, wondering what she had ever done to deserve a love like this.
“Asha,” Colton’s breath tickled the top of her head. “Please. Let me make an honest woman out of you.”
She smiled. “Alright. If you insist.”
Colt held her at arm’s length. A look of stunned astonishment transformed his features. “Truly?”
Seeing the radiant happiness slowly creeping into his eyes made Asha wish she had given in and married Colt a long time ago. “Yes, truly. I love you. You are my heart and my soul and my life. You are everything to me.”
Colt was struck silent. A sheen of tears shone in his dark eyes. He never did have any words for situations like this.
Instead he bent his head and kissed her firmly, passionately, with all the hope in the world.
She responded eagerly, already looking forward to a lifetime full of hope and joy, laughter and tears. She had feared sharing it with someone, but now she couldn’t imagine a lifetime alone. She’d always thought Roseland was her home, but she had been so wrong. This man holding her, his arms, his heart, his soul, his love, the life that they’d created; that was her home. And home was the best place in the entire world.
The End to Another Sweet Beginning
BURNING TOUCH
Available in the kindle store HERE
Luna James knew from the second the handsome, larger than life stranger walked through the door of her tattoo shop requesting a cover up, that he was trouble. Her brutal track record with men should have taught her to stay away from him but somehow, she just couldn’t manage to forget his haunted eyes or the burning feel of his skin beneath her fingertips.
Knowing it was going to be pure torture, she accepted to work her art on his naked body at nightfall.
But the night held more secrets and danger than maybe she was prepared for. And it did not help either to have sparks fly left and right with her every touch of his naked skin.
Preview of BURNING TOUCH
Holy Hannah. If backs could be gorgeous or even sexy as hell, his certainly was.
The taut, rippling muscle under that layer of bronze, silky looking skin were tense, strained even. His was not the muscle of a body builder or someone who pumped iron and steroids. No, his muscles were streamlined and
beautiful. She was willing to bet that wherever the guy worked out it wasn’t at the friendly neighborhood gym.
Seeing him half naked, all animal male did something to Luna’s body. She reacted with raw, powerful lust to seeing all that latent power simmering just below the surface. The man looked dangerous and not just because of his size.
Marring a surface that would have been utterly glorious, was a hideous tattoo. It took up most of his back, starting just below his shoulder blades and ending right before the swells of his hips. There were scars too, short ones, long ridges, rounded circles, jagged lines. The tattoo made no sense. It didn’t have any graceful lines or flowing rhythm. It was just… figures, slapped on. What looked to be a wolf’s head crested his shoulder blades. Beside that was a sick looking grim reaper holding a scythe. At least, that’s what she guessed it was, but only because that blade in hand was a dead giveaway. The lion head below that was larger, taking up most of the back, or at least, what was left. It too looked half carved in, as though whoever had done the work meant actual harm, not art. Clearly they’d wanted that ink to stick.
“You’ve had it lasered.” It wasn’t a question. Luna could tell from the fading that he’d probably endured a couple blistering sessions. Ouch. She felt for him. The removal generally hurt far more than getting inked in the first place.
Luna should have known better. She should have stopped her trembling hand from reaching out, but her body reacted on a base level, without thought. Her index finger traced one particularly long, ragged scar right below his shoulder blade. A tremor ripped through her hand and it took Luna a second to realize it wasn’t her body’s reaction, but his. He uttered a shaky, raw breath and she had the feeling it took all his willpower not to move.