Page 43 of Reins

I normally would too, but he told me I needed to start doing what I want. “Why didn’t you tell him the truth? That you didn’t do it?”

Cade groans. “That’s a conversation I need to have with my brothers. They deserve to hear it from me.” His thumb lifts to press my fingertip to his skin, making me feel warmer inside than any heater under this cushion would.

I’ve decided I like touching him.

“Sawyer’s spent his whole life knowing I’m the one who killed his mom.” His voice carries an ache in it that resonates in my chest.

When he turns, I can see the agony lacing the edges of eyes. “He hates me, Ros. And I don’t blame him.”

“He won’t. He’ll know you’re a good man.” My grip tightens gently.

If only his family knew how much he cares? They’d see him like I do.

It’s been a transition from the gruff man holding a rifle on me to the one I’m watching suffer beside me.

Doubt taints his squint when he glances at me.

Then he snorts. “Haven’t had much choice. Was on parole for something I didn’t do for a lot of years.” His jaw tics as he slows the car and pulls into the wide spot on the road near the entrance to my brother’s ranch.

I call it theirs. I don’t have any sense of ownership on the place.

He parks and turns to me. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Swallowing hard, I stare out the window towards the road. “No, but this is the best way. I won’t be long.” I squeeze his hand once more and push the door open. “Keep my seat warm.” Giving him my best smile, I turn on my heel and face the icy wind.

My stomach rolls with every step.

Get in, get out. That’s my plan.

Making the trek down the lane gives me too much time to think. What am I doing?

How can I dream of starting a new life? Cade is the only person I know outside of my brothers.

I know he won’t want me weighing him down, depending on him forever.

Where will I go? I don’t even have any skills to get a job.

Hell, I can’t even say I graduated. Whatever homeschooling I got from my mom disappeared when she died.

Everything else I’ve learned on my own. I didn’t want to be a burden, so I took my own education as seriously as possible.

Yet I don’t even think I’d qualify to work anywhere.

I really will be an anchor for Cade.

Smelling the woodsmoke from the fireplace, my chest tightens as I get a full view of the ranch.

Shit. Eli’s truck is here. Hopefully he’s in the office.

Climbing the steps to the house, I quietly go inside, careful to avoid all the squeaky boards on the way to my room.

Silence is a blessing. There was a time I wished for a dog. Today, it would have alerted my presence.

Stuffing my purse into the bottom of my backpack, I grab a few handfuls of clothes and cram them in on top. I don’t need much, just enough to change while I can clean the others.

The photo album is next, luckily it isn’t very big.

One last stop to the bathroom for my toiletries, and I’ll be able to get out.