He was.
But she hadn’t pulled away or demanded he drive her home. Not yet. Instead, Taylor’s hand was warm, held his tight. But neither of them spoke for the longest time. He’d already said too much.
“That’s a very beautiful tribute, Jack,” she finally said. “She must have been a very special person for you to have loved her so much.”
“I’ve never known anyone like her.”
“I’m sorry you lost her.”
“Me, too.” Although, he wondered whether, if Courtney had lived, they’d have lasted or if he’d have tired of her abusing her body with drugs and whatever it took to get them. As much as he’d loved her, the man he was today wouldn’t have stayed to watch such self-destructive behavior.
He was all about being a free spirit, but believed life was about a higher purpose, serving others. He liked to think that even had he never met Duffy he’d have found his calling, his purpose.
Knowing Taylor had to be tired of their depressing conversation, he stood from the rocker. “Let’s go for a walk.”
“In the dark?”
“You afraid?” he challenged, reaching his hand out to pull her up from her chair.
“Should I be?”
“I promised you I’d never let anything hurt you,” he reminded her, and meant it. With everything in him he’d do his best to keep Taylor from being hurt.
Taking his hand, she stood from her chair, laced her fingers with his, and said, “Let’s walk.”
* * *
Taylor had lingered out in the cow pasture for as long as she could.
Jack would take her home when they got back to the house.
She didn’t want to go back to the apartment.
She wanted to stay here, with Jack. Crazy, but she didn’t want to leave him. At the moment she didn’t even want to strip him naked and have her way with him—although that was just beneath the surface.
What she wanted was to hold him.
Because Jack needed to be held. When they got back to the house he turned to her. “Is your bag from when you showered still in the house?”
She nodded.
“You want me to get it and us head toward your place?”
No, that wasn’t what she wanted.
“I can get it.” She could. “But if you want to grab it for me, that would be great. I left it in the living room.”
“Be back in just a few.”
Taylor watched him go inside, then took off after him, berating herself with each step. She was making a habit of following this man in hopes of ending up in his bed.
Only this time sex wasn’t her sole motivating factor.
; * * *
Hearing Taylor enter the house behind him, Jack turned toward her. He’d just spotted her bag on the living room sofa and was about to pick it up.