Chapter 31
JEWELS
I did it! Ah! Relief seeps through me as I rejoice in the fact that I have a small part-time position at the veterinary clinic. Half of it will be reception duties, but getting my foot in the door is the first step. It’s perfect. Giving me time to work on the ranch and bringing in some money, too.
Thinking of the ranch, I can’t help but feel sad when I remember my last interaction with Luke. We parted on such terrible terms to begin with and now him being arrested… I tried to get in to see him but I was told he was with his lawyer. At least there is that. Absently, I cross my fingers while holding the steering wheel. I hope he can get out of this okay. I doubt it though. He is completely guilty; they have seized pretty much everything from the new barn. Not that I need anything from there. It’s a wasted building now. By the time I have enough money to fix it up, it will be an old barn.
The trees outlining our property come into focus, and the feeling of home is bittersweet. This place is filled with almost every memory I have ever had. That feeling is consuming but one I am willing to embrace.
Stepping out of the car, I immediately notice a loose strand of hay by my foot. Looking up, I take a quick glance around the place and notice a new bale has been placed where the horses once were. Luke must have forgotten to stop the delivery when he sold our last horse. The thought has my stomach sinking. How did life get so off track? I question myself.
I consider walking toward the hay but it’s just depressing.
That’s when a low howling sound gets my attention. What in the world? I walk past the front door toward the old barn. I hope an animal didn’t get accidentally stuck in there. I increase my speed, starting to worry how long they may have been trapped in there, to see a clumsy but cute big pawed chocolate Lab puppy come tripping over its feet toward me.
Kneeling down, I let the adorable puppy lick my hand before scratching the top of its head. He leans into me, wanting more until he is lying on the ground, his tummy up in the air for me to rub.
“Well, aren’t you a cutie pie,” I tell him as his feet move in the air. “Where did you run off from?”
“He’s right at home.” A sexy rumble of a voice says in front of me.
Lifting my head, I take Tyson in. He is in dark jeans that look much too nice for a ranch, yet they also look soiled, as if he might have been working with his hands on the land. His T-shirt clings to his body, stretching it out slightly.
I can’t help but pick up this precious little thing as I stand. “What do you mean he is at home?” I ask as the puppy gives my nose a big, wet lick.
“You can’t have a functioning ranch without a dog,” he drawls out, looking as sexy as ever.
I scoff at his words ‘functioning ranch’ before looking down at the puppy. Those big brown eyes and wet brown nose look back at me. He almost distracts me completely with the sweetest puppy in the whole wide world until my brain catches on.
“Why are you here?” That should have been my first question. The puppy barks as if he is now interested as to why Tyson is here, too. I pet him some more. Good boy, I think.
Tyson smiles at the puppy. “Traitor,” he says.
I can’t help but get that butterfly feeling in my chest.
“I love you, Jewels.”
I’m already weak at his words. I’m supposed to be this strong, independent woman, and yet, I crumble at the sight of this man.
“I am sorry I let the other world I’m a part of take over my life. I know I didn’t treat you properly or make you feel like an important part of my life.” He looks as if he is fighting to find the right words. “You make me a better person, you make me happy, and I choose you.” He is looking at me just like this chocolate Lab in my arms is. “I’m not giving up on you. So much so, Three Rivers now has a brand new computer fix-it store.”
Running his hands through his hair, he continues, “I am in this for the long haul. I want us to be partners in crime…figuratively.” He stresses that word and it makes me wonder about the society. I keep silent, not knowing how to respond to anything he’s confessed.
“I can’t ever totally get away from the society,” he says, knowing it would be a question I’d have. “But I can distance myself.” He steps closer to me. So many thoughts are running through my mind right now. I must look like an idiot just standing here, not saying a word.
“My number one priority is us.” We are only about a foot away from each other. “What are you thinking?” His hand touches my strawberry blonde hair.
“You’re moving here?” Yep, that is the first thing I think to say. I could have said half a dozen much better, more insightful things. Tyson always makes me feel like I’m tongue-tied.
He chuckles at my words. “I have another surprise,” he says, looking a little worried as he glances at me.
I watch him take a step back, hating the distance between us. I’m doomed; I love this guy.
He is reaching for the barn before my mouth begins to work again. “Wait.” He turns to face me. I bend to let the puppy down. “I love you too, Tyson Bennett.”
His smile widens, turning into that confident grin he wears so proudly before opening the barn doors.
The sound of hooves stomping against the wood and the muffled sounds of horses fly out, hitting me in the heart.
No, there can’t be.
I walk toward him, going inside where he stands. Each stall is full, with real, live, breathing horses.
“Sweet baby Jesus,” I say, looking around the barn.
“I have one more surprise.” He takes my hand and leads me out toward the back of the barn. I have to half-jog, half-walk to keep up with each of his strides. Then I see that old green tractor. The one I spent on my dad’s lap for many seasons.
“It’s not.” I start to question him.
“It is the same one your dad had.”
Great, now I’m crying, I can feel the tears running down my face. He takes me in his arms; how I denied this man I will never know.
“How did you know?” I ask him, still trying to compose my emotions.
“I may have talked to Luke a little and found out this meant a lot to you.” His words are muffled into my hair. Knowing that Luke helped made my eyes tear up again. I loved my dad too much to hold anything against him. Luke did not have the luxury of an older brother to shelter him away from the family’s financial burden, but he was still willing to put his view of our father aside to help Tyson with this for me. It means a lot to me. Everything did. Knowing that Tyson was willing to work with my brother to create a perfect moment for me is everything.
“I’m so sorry for how I treated you.” The words came out soft and sincere.
I can feel his lips shushing me. “No, Country, this is all on me.”
I let out a mini laugh as I try to curl my lips inwards. For a nickname I used to hate so much, it has found a way into my heart, causing me to love it as much as I do him.
“You didn’t have to do all this to get my attention.” I squeeze him tighter, feeling at home more than I ever have before.
“I know. But we’re partners now. We have to learn to accept help from each other.”
The guilt in me starts to rise up; I never told him that I kept in contact with Trevor. “I’m buying a stud off Trevor,” I blurt out, not wanting any secrets.
I can feel him still, as I wait for his reaction. “How much does he want for it?”
How do I tell him he wants a date? “I think he wants a date.” I hold my breath, remembering how he reacted to Trevor in the motel.
His head bends down to look me in the eyes. “Do you want that?” His eyes search mine.
“God no.” I shake my head; the thought makes me sick.
“Call him and tell him we are together and that I’ll be living here and see what he says.”
I nod my response.
“Good.” He kisses my head.
“I’m sorry for how I acted at your society. I think Richard drugged me,” I blurt out. That fact was weighing heavy on my heart. I need him to know I would never embarrass him like that.
“I know, baby. I’m an ass for ever thinking you would.” He hugs me tighter. My heart feels lighter just getting this all off my chest. I hated keeping secrets from him.
“Now, will you finally allow me to love you?”
“As soon as I saw you standing here, I was ready,” I say.
Then a shriek leaves me as I feel myself being tossed over his shoulder. “What are you doing?” I gasp, enjoying the way he effortlessly moves my body.
“I’m going to remind you what it’s like when we’re together.”