Page 142 of Buckin' Around

Me either.

She leaves in three days and, fuck, I’m only just keeping it together. I’m keeping as damn busy as I can to take my mind off that very fact.

I kiss her forehead. “See you tonight to celebrate.”

A sad smile tugs on her mouth. “Sure.”

“Bye bye, Ives.” I mess up her hair, and she shakes her head, slapping my wrist.

So much like her ma?—

I swallow hard and make my exit before I say something insane. Right now, I need to put my hands to use to calm my racing, reeling mind. Walking out into the milky sunshine and throwing my coat on, I find Brades by his busted old pickup. The tray is filled with fencing wire, shovels, and whatever else.

Good.

I’m going to need some hard-as-fuck labor to wade my way through what life expects me to live through.

Chapter 34

Spencer

The house is quiet by the time I get back. The girls have gone to bed early. We were supposed to celebrate, but I wanted to see the job through, and the stretch of fence line that needed replacing took longer than either of us anticipated.

Fuck. I’m a goddamn eejit.

I pull off my boots and dump my coat on the hook behind the door. Padding on quiet feet down the hallway, I check in on Ives. She’s bundled up, sound asleep with Mr. Fluffy.

I leave the door a little ajar.

Stripping off in front of the shower, I turn on the taps, and the water bursts to life. Once steam has shrouded the small space, I step in. My muscles are tired and sore from a long day, but I can’t wait to curl up next to Riles. To breathe her in. Wrap my arms around what, for a moment a little while back, I thought could have been my forever.

She’s my happy fucking place.

As stupid as that sounds, it’s true.

She’s the best thing to ever happen to this man, and I will let her go. Like anyone who loved someone this much would do.

My chest tightens.

I shove my face into the water.

Hot points sting my face, enough to stun my ragged heart out of a spiral. I’ll hold off on that particular moment as long as I can.

Washed and dried, I pad to the bedroom and crawl under the covers. I don’t bother putting clothes between me and Riles.

I find her in only her tank and panties, despite the cold. Our room, like the rest of the cottage, is warm, thanks to the oil heaters she has placed in every space. The heavy duvet she insisted on weighs me down, trapping me beneath its cozy encasement.

I get why she loves it.

I shuffle over and spoon her, hugging my arm over her. Sinking my face into her hair, loose from its scrunchie, I breathe her in. The moment I have waited for all damn day.

I lose a groan. “Riley O’Malley. The ways I love you are far too many to count,” I say softly into her hair.

She doesn’t wake, simply shifting in my hold as she inhales.

Come back to us one day, Riles.

Please, baby.