CHAPTER TEN
The only problem with planes was the damn tires.
Blythe stared out the airport window at the puddle jumper fueling for a flight back to Virginia and sighed.
Tires and testicles. They screw you every time.
“For what it’s worth, you would never be the Texas kind.”
Blythe rolled her gaze over to Mike and tightened her lips. Of course she had ended up on his flight, and he didn’t seem to take the hint that she wasn’t interested in talking while they waited.
“I know that face. You’re pissed. I get it. I made a mistake.”
Blythe scooted down a seat, lifted his luggage from the ground, and plopped it in the chair between them.
“The silent treatment. I deserve it. I’m just glad you decided to join me.”
“Decided isn’t exactly the right word.” She smirked and turned back to the window.
In Mike’s twisted world, he’d saved her. He had been smiling like a horny teenager in a Victoria Secrets store for the last hour, and she doubted it would end after the flight. Besides paying for her ticket when she realized she’d left her wallet at Hunter’s, he'd also called the Sheriff about selling her car in Fort Mavis. On top of that, he had made sure her belongings were sent home to her−all without her asking.
He'd been the perfect gentleman, and she'd hated every second of it.
“I’m going to grab a drink before we board. Can I get you a coffee?” Mike stood behind her. She saw his reflection in the window. Why did he have to play the nice card when she wanted to hate him? It wasn’t fair.
Caffeine would go a long way to helping with her headache-and she didn’t have a dime on her-but taking anything from Mike made her feel sick. “No thanks.”
“I’ll grab you one anyway. Two creams, no sugar. You might want it before we board.”
The sick thing was he'd known just what to order for her. Even though it had been her favorite drink for the last two years, it wouldn't compare to Hunter's coffee.
By now, Hunter would know she was gone. He'd probably be pissed at her for not saying goodbye. Then again, with the distraction of baby Cole, he might not even care.
She had brought him to his nephew. She'd connected him to the family he needed. He would be okay without her. But would she be okay without him?
“Blythe.”
She dropped her head in her hands. Dealing with Mike the entire flight home was going to be more than she could handle.
“Can I have five minutes alone, please?” She raised her head to the window, ready to turn on him and scream, but that was when she caught sight of the cowboy hat in the reflection.
“I deserve that. I’ll just sit here and shut up until you’re ready.”
She turned. Hunter took the seat next to her with his long legs stretched in front of him. His boots were caked in red mud. She fought the smile that threatened to break across her face.
“Why are you not at the hospital? You should be with your brother.”
“Because my brother told me to get my ass to the airport. Your boyfriend’s a talker. He told Gramps his flight time.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” She couldn't resist the smile any longer. Instead, she breathed Hunter in; he was all earthy scent mixed with aftershave and the heat of midday Texas. All things she'd grown to love in a very short time.
“No?”
She moved away when he reached for her. “No.”
He blinked and dropped his hand to his side. The simplest of answers would be to say goodbye. To end what they both knew had to end eventually.
He pushed his hat higher on his head. “Honestly, I knew all along he wasn’t. I also know he’s not right for you.”
She frowned. “Then why did you push me away?”
He crossed his legs, one over the other, and tipped his hat back. "Because you were right about the family. We've been broken for a long time and being called out on it has made us all stop trying to hide that fact." He grinned. “Did you really yell at Gramps in the hospital? No woman has yelled at that old man since Grandma. He’s still stunned.”
He scooted closer, and this time, she didn’t move. When he reached for her cheek, she didn’t shy away. She should have. Saying goodbye was only going to be more painful if he touched her.
“But you’re all wrong about yourself.”
She blinked hard and stared. “What?”
“You and Mike. He didn’t leave you because he didn’t love you. He left you because you didn’t love him and he knew it. Sooner or later you were going to figure that out, so he wanted to make damn sure he left first.”
Blythe caught Mike walking towards them with two coffees and a strange expression. “How would you know that?” she asked.
Hunter leaned in until his heat permeated her skin. “Because I was Mike and Molly was you. I knew she didn’t love me. I just couldn’t admit it to myself, so I left.” He leaned in closer until his lips rested on her forehead. “But you…” He pressed his lips to her skin and spoke. “I can’t say goodbye to you. Damn, did I try. But it just didn’t work.”
“Blythe.” Mike stood behind Hunter. His hands were full of coffee, and his eyes wide with anger.
Hunter didn’t turn around or move from holding her. “I’ve been a complete ass. I thought pushing you away was the right thing for you. I can’t give you what you want. I can’t give you the close family and the full houses and—”
“Who said I wanted those things?” Blythe set up straighter and narrowed her gaze. She tilted her head until her eyes met his. There was a softness she hadn't expected, but it flooded her heart and made her legs go weak.
“I did. I was wrong,” he whispered. “If you left, I’d never forgive myself for letting you go without a fight. I can’t give you what he can, but dammit, I can give you enough love and a house and we can create a family to fill it.”
Her heart screamed yes, but her head demanded he understand one thing first. “No,” she started. “We can’t create a family to fill it if you can’t let go of what happened in the past.”
Hunter dropped his hat to his lap. “ I was there for Jake Brandon Cole’s birth. That’s a start.”
“And,” she pressed.
“I’m his godfather.” His eyes twinkled. “And I wouldn’t mind having a few of those little rugrats underfoot one of these days.”
“Only if you promise to wear the hat in bed.”
He grinned, full and deep and proud. “Anything you want. I’m yours.”
He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in close, taking her mouth with his until the airport and Mike disappeared, and all that remained were her and Hunter and possibility.
When he finally pulled away, two coffees sat in the seat beside them and Mike was gone.
“Looks like I lost my ride again.” She ran her hand through Hunter's hair and grinned.
"No." Hunter stood. "Your ride hasn't gone anywhere." He reached down to the chair and lifted her against his chest.
Down the concourse, he carried her. It wasn’t the riding off into the sunset on horseback she’d fantasized about. It was a thousand times better, and Hunter was her perfect reluctant cowboy.