Page 74 of Love You Already

“Here,” she says as she tosses me two towels. “You clean yourself up. I'll work on me and the floor.”

We work together quietly, neither of us in the mood to talk while putting things back to rights. When we're done, Rose throws the towels in a garbage bag to take home to wash later, then she lights a candle and puts on a layer of body spray.

“You stay here with the candle and wait it out. I don't need everyone hooting and hollering at us cause they can tell we were back here fucking.”

I laugh as I pull her in for a soft kiss. “Ace, you're practically glowing. They're going to know what I was doing to you back here. Plus, it's been like half an hour. There's little chance they didn't put two and two together.”

“It has not been —” Her words cut off when I show her the timer I have going on my watch. “You timed it?”

“Jones suggested I keep up my cardio. If I count all the times we have sex, I'll be able to convince him I really did go on those runs he wants me to take.”

She laughs. “You're ridiculous, husband.”

“Maybe, but I'm also all yours.”

At that, she smiles and turns for the door. I'm left alone with a bag of dirty clothes, a candle struggling to dissipate the scent of our lovemaking, and the happiest feeling in the world. This right here is what I'm meant to be doing for the rest of my days. Loving my wife any and every way I can.

BONUS EPILOGUE

I'LL NEVER OUTRUN THE MEMORIES.

Beckett

“There is no reason for you to be here, Beckett. I have no more work for you. Go bother one of your siblings,” Dad tells me from his spot at the dining room table. “The workday is over. You haven't taken a night off in months. Maybe go find something to take your mind off what's bothering you.”

He doesn't have to say what that thing is. Or rather who it is. We both know I'm hung up on the knowledge that Caroline James is back in town. My Callie is back.

Well, she's not mine anymore. Not since the day she rode out of town without even a glance back in my direction.

I've lived with the heartache she left behind for over a decade. Eleven long years of missing someone, yet not really moving on from them. I've had opportunities, mind you. Women who I've taken on dates and carted about town to the joy of those around me. They wanted to see me happy again.

I gave them what they wanted. I gave them a show, the greatest performance of my life.

“Dad, what the hell? There's always something to do here. You can't tell me we're all caught up.”

My father taps out a rhythm on the table as he eyes me over his cup of cocoa. I know it's not coffee since it's nearly six in the evening and he wouldn't risk a night of sleep for another hit of caffeine.

“For the first time in the history of the ranch, I can say that this is the case. You've been putting in sixteen-hour days seven days a week. You've checked and double checked the fence line. All the cattle are tagged and have been moved from field to field. The hay has been baled and invoices sent out. Horses are all groomed, and the stalls have been cleaned. The barn paint touched up. The equipment cleaned and all the engines checked over. You've literally touched every single thing on this land in the two months since you've gone into hiding. Hell, you've got plans for a house to build, yet you won't give the contractors the green light. Why is that, son?”

The old man thinks he's got me pinned down. He thinks I'll be forced to tell him why all of what he's saying is true. That I'll admit the truth behind it, despite him knowing it already.

I shake my head as I cross my arms. “Fine, then. There must be a new project you wanted to start. Something we can get a heads up on.”

“You're not listening, Beckett. You have a project to work on. Your house! You've been wanting to build your own place on the land since we got Rose's started. Now, all of a sudden, you don't want to give it a go. That right there should be your focus.”

“No, it's not. I can't... it's not right. Something is off with the design.” Never mind that I gave the exact specifics to the designer. I told him piece by piece what I wanted for it, and he delivered with ease.

But that was before. Before a certain woman strode back into town with a mini family in tow. I can't help but think my two-bedroom bachelor pad no longer holds the appeal it once did.

“Go get a drink or something then,” Dad says, his hand waving toward the front door. “Get off this land and go do something. Anything besides haunting this place.”

“I guess I could go see Rose. She's been preoccupied with Lachlan and Bridgett's still working with the football team on that project with Whit.” Which I fucking hate. I wish my sister would get over her schoolgirl crush on my former friend.

Dad laughs as he points a finger my way. “You could always go see Nate. Your brother will put you right to work at the shop.”

His smirk and my grimace go hand in hand as I think of how much work Nate would make me do. I'm good with my hands and a quick learner, but even I draw the line at the level of automotive work my brother does. He's a surly bastard when I don't do it just the way he would.

“It's best not to poke the bear. Let's let him stew on his own until Rose convinces him to come out of his cave again.”