Page 81 of Riding the Curve

“I don’t want to let her go, Ryleigh. Not this time. I know that may be hard to hear, but I think I’m in—” I swallow deeply, the truth sitting right on the tip of my tongue. “I can see a future with her.”

As I wait for Ryleigh to respond, my rib cage feels like it’s about to cave in. I take a few deep belly breaths, just like my therapist taught me last week, and it helps keep the anxiety from pushing me over the edge.

“Again, I’m asking you what you are going to do about it.”

“She could move with me to Texas?”

Ryleigh sighs and shakes his head. “You really think whisking her away right now, while she’s still trying to figure everything out, is a good idea?”

“You’re right, that was a purely selfish idea.” Smoothing my palm over my face, I curse myself for even thinking that would be an option. “She needs you all right now, and I don’t want to take her away from that. She still has some healing to do herself.”

Ryleigh nods.

“She’s doing such a great job working at the ranch and with Harper. Dad’s over the moon, and we even got to talking the other day about her coming to work on the ranch permanently. I thought she might enjoy taking the job of head catering chef and event planner for us.”

His eyes widen, and I know I’ve finally said something right.

“Dad agreed, and he’s planning on telling her after the wedding’s over. We just didn’t want to make her nervous before.”

“I think she would love that, Em.”

“You think?”

“Absolutely.”

“I’m worried about leaving to go race. I know we can make it work, but I think in her eyes she’s still afraid that once I leave to go back to work, that will be it for us.”

“So prove it isn’t. Show her how much you love her. Tell her that no matter where you both are, your love will be unbreakable. Show her that you are all in. Say those three little words that she’s been waiting to hear for a long time, Em.”

“I will.”

“Good man.” He smiles as he takes another sip. “Because if you break her heart again, I’ll kill you myself. There are several spots on this land that would be perfect for burying a body.”

His eyes lock with mine as I try to rein in my chuckle and not wake the girls.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” I grin.

Ryleigh raises his bottle toward me and nods in approval. “Glad we have an understanding.”

Lyla whines softly in her sleep, and Ryleigh stands and walks over to us. He lifts her gently in his arms. “Promise me you’ll do right by her.” His eyes are pinned on mine as my gaze falls on Henley.

“Promise.”

A soft smile lifts his lips as he carries Lyla upstairs to her bed. Carefully, I try to rouse the sleeping beauty in my lap. Henley is out cold and doesn’t even flinch. Somehow, I manage to lift her in my arms and carry her out to the truck.

By the time we make it back to the cabins, her body has sprawled across my lap once more. For a moment, I contemplate just staying and sleeping beside her in the truck. But I know in the morning both of our bodies would revolt against us. We aren’t as young as we used to be.

Gently leaning her against my shoulder, I dig through her purse until I find her keys. Once inside, I lay her gently on the bed. While I begin to tuck her in, I realize she’s still wearing her jeans. She must realize it, too, because she grumbles something incoherent while trying to shove them down unsuccessfully.

A frustrated whimper slips from her lips.

Back and forth I rock on my heels, contemplating whether I should or not.

“Help me, Em?”

I let out the air I’ve been holding and decide to answer her plea.

My hands tremble like a damn teenager as I unbuckle the button of her pants and slide down the zipper. As gently as I can, I lift her hips and slide the rough fabric down.