Page 117 of Set It Right
“You’re here,” I murmured. “You’re really here.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
For the first time since she’d shown up in town, I wasn’t braced for it to end. I had her in a very real way I was determined to make permanent.
Breath to breath, soul to soul, we held each other.
And for a moment, everything was right.
Chapter Forty
Zara
TheminuteItoldZane I’d decided to stay, he’d hauled Steven on the next flight to Wyoming. If he had intended to talk me out of it, he must have changed his mind the moment he saw Cormac and me together.
We were standing in front of the guesthouse when they pulled up in their rental, Cormac’s arm around my waist, my head leaning against his chest. For the last week, this was how we’d been. Touching, embracing, as close as we could be. And relaxed. So very relaxed in each other’s presence.
This was it. We were finally getting something we’d both longed for, even if we hadn’t known it. Once we’d decided this was what we were going to do, it had been so simple to settle into it, looking forward instead of back.
And when Zane hopped out of the car, he took one look at us, threw his arms out, and shouted, “Fuck!”
So that was that.
Zane and Steven were taking the guesthouse. I’d spend my days with them, and my nights with Cormac. Zane wasn’t exactlyenthusiastic about coming along while I guided, but Steven was all in for new adventures, and where Steven went, so did Zane.
The first day, while Cormac pointed out the family’s houses to Zane, Steven put his arm around me.
“You look good, Z.”
“I’m the best I’ve ever been.” I nudged his side with my elbow. “Don’t let him freak out too much, okay?”
He chuckled, eyeing his husband. “Don’t worry about Zane. He just needs to get used to the idea of you being here for good. And in the meantime, I’ve got him.”
“I know you do.”
“It’s gorgeous here. The resort, the houses…wow.” Sighing, he scanned the horizon. “I expected the ranch to be more rustic.”
I snorted a laugh. “You actually trusted Zane’s description? Come on.”
Crinkles burst from around his eyes. “You’re right. I should have known.”
Later, we took them to dinner with the Kellys. Most of the family showed up, and we found space for Steven and Zane at the table. Silas decided to be best friends with my brother, and Abigail parked herself on Steven.
Zane was confused by Silas’s intense, unwavering attention and boundless questions, but he answered each one with enthusiasm.
Steven was bewitched by Abigail’s sweet little hands all over his face and her tinkling giggles at his deep voice. All he had to do was say her name, and she was set off.
It was adorable.
I loved seeing my family blend with Cormac’s. It made my heart believe this was real. Our life would be this way, and it would be beautiful.
It was late. Cormac and I were in his bed, his head was on my stomach, his arms banded around me as I stroked his hair. It was nice spending nights with Cormac. More than nice. I liked sharing the house with his grandparents. They kept to themselves most of the time, but their presence was peaceful and comforting.
The empty spot in my heart left by the death of my grandfather, who’d lived with my family most of my childhood, was getting filled in just a little bit. It wasn’t the same, nothing ever would be, but some of the ache from his loss had been soothed.
“I heard Steven’s taking to ranch life,” Cormac said.
I snorted a laugh. “He is. Zane is vacillating between being apoplectic at Steven’s betrayal and gaga over how hot he looks throwing bales of hay.”
