Page 39 of Riding the Curve

After breakfast, Emerson mentioned wanting to get back to start some chores around the ranch before it got too hot. Though I argued, he paid for breakfast, then we hopped back into the truck.

The ride down the road is quiet, only the low buzz of the music and the crunch of the tires on the old road filtered between us. The tension, however, sizzles like bacon in a pan. Every few seconds, I feel the burn of his stare on my neck. When our eyes meet, his are alight with an intensity that zips across my skin and igniting it like a wildfire.

Breaking my gaze for my own survival, I lift my arm out the window to feel the breeze. Tilting my head back on the headrest, the gentle breeze flows through me, cooling my body and my heart before they both decide to do something reckless with the man sitting beside me.

We turn onto a familiar road, and the Lane’s house comes into view. All the memories rush back. The countless family dinners, the horse rides with Emerson and Ryleigh, and the countless afternoons I spent over here while Autumn taught me how to bake.

My stomach twists in knots. Memories both happy and sad, swirl in an unfamiliar emotion. Glancing next to me, I find his brow furrowed, jaw clenched tight. If this land can invoke these powerful emotions from me, I can only imagine what it’s doing to Em. Without thinking, I reach across the center console and grab his hand. He doesn’t lift his gaze from the road but grips my palm like I’m his lifeline.

And maybe right now, in this moment. . . I really am.

CHAPTER 15

Emerson

I’m a fucking mess.

Squeezing Henley’s hand is the only thing right now that is keeping me present. Grounded. She’s holding me from falling back into the dark depths of my mind.

I’ve never thought of myself as an overly anxious person, but these past few years have transformed me into someone I don’t know. It’s become harder to control my actions, my breaths, and every little decision or conversation I have has me overanalyzing and stressing for hours after.

Last night, I drove up the road to the next town to grab a few things that might make Hen feel more at home in the cabin. Little things like new bedding, cinnamon candles, some bubble bath I thought she might like, and fluffier pillows. I didn’t think anything of it until right now as we begin to pull up to the cabin. Now I’m questioning my decision.

Is she going to freak out? Did I do too much?

This new worry, on top of everything else, is about to send me over the edge. Maybe I made a mistake inviting her to stay on the ranch.

“Em?” Henley’s voice seeps through my fog. “We’re here.”

Blinking my eyes to refocus, the little village of cabins comes into clear view. I must have driven here on autopilot because I don’t remember making my way down the road. Releasing the tight grip, I run my palm over my face. “Right. Sorry about that.”

She silently assesses me. The look she’s giving is a cross between concern and apprehension, but she keeps her mouth closed and just nods. As she unlocks the door and leaps out of the truck, I’m left wondering what is going on inside her head.

Once I’m out of the truck, I grab all the luggage. “That one is yours over there.”

She’s frozen on the gravel path, taking in the view of what my Dad and I had started to build before Mama passed. My voice makes her jump, then she follows my line of sight to the cabin at the end.

“Mine’s right next door.” I grab the back of my neck and shuffle the gravel between my feet. “If you ever need anything, you can just knock.”

Her bright gaze finds mine, and her face brightens with excitement. Just one look and the pressure in my chest unlocks. “Don’t laugh, but this is kind of an exciting moment for me. Twenty-seven years old and I’ve never lived on my own before.”

The admission halts me where I stand. “Seriously? What about culinary school?”

She shrugs, picking up her carry-on in her arms while I follow behind with her suitcase. “I couldn’t afford to live by myself in New York. I’ve always had a roommate. It’ll be nice to have some alone time for once. My last roommate was never good about giving me space for a little ‘me’ time.”

She releases a breathy laugh at her obvious jest toward Carson. It only makes me silently curse her ex even more. As we approach the cabin, I reach into my back pocket and pull out my keys. “Here, your first key to your own space.”

Sliding the key off the ring, I place it into her outstretched palm. Her smooth skin against mine sends a tingling sensation down my spine. I let it linger for a few seconds longer than it should before I pull it away. Henley stares thoughtfully down at the key in her hand. And I suddenly feel like an intruder. Like I’m peering in on a monumental moment in her life, the first time she’s had a space that’s all her own.

She slowly exhales, sliding the key in the door and pushing it wide. Her reaction is nothing like I’d prepared for. I assumed that she would be a bit underwhelmed by the size of the space, but there is no trace of disappointment in her eyes. Instead, they’re lit with excitement and awe. Almost like she’s just walked through the elevator into a million-dollar penthouse.

“This is perfect!”

Dragging in her monster suitcase, I heave it on the small couch next to the bed. As she paces around the room taking everything in, I look for something to distract me. “Can I help you unpack?”

“Um, sure. I’d appreciate that,” she says shyly.

As I begin to unzip her suitcase, she investigates every nook and cranny. She makes her way into the kitchen, opening all the cabinets and swings the fridge door wide. “Hey, there’s food in here!”