Loved by a Roughneck

“You want to talk about it?”

“What’s there to say?” She sounded small and defeated.

“Whatever you need to.”

“Do you think I’m an asshole?”

His head jerked to the right as he took her in. “What!”

“For turning him away knowing my mom is probably in withdrawal.”

“Honey, an addict will never get help until they hit rock bottom. If you’re supplying them, it’s a form of enabling.”

“I know that, honestly I do. I’ve seen the shows, read the books. Been forced into counseling in high school. But saying it and doing it are remarkably different.”

“What changed?” A pregnant pause followed. “Maci?”

“I did. You showed me a different way. Fact is I’ve never been this happy. Before you, I don’t think I believed I could be. Now … I don’t want to give up what we have.”

Checking behind him for cars he jerked the car onto the side of the road.

“Ty!”

Setting the car into park he turned to face her.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.” The panic in her voice and fear on her face twisted his gut.

“You didn’t.” Unbuckling his seatbelt he slid next to her in the cab. “I want to make sure we’re on the same page here, Mac. I make you happy?”

Unshod tears sparkled in her eyes, and she nodded. “Yes.”

“Why is that a bad thing?”

“Because you’re going to leave. This isn’t your home, and men don’t stick around.”

“Do I seem like just some man?”

“No.” Her voice cracked. “And that’s the problem.”

“Darling, I’m exactly where I want to be right now, and I plan on staying for as long as you’ll have me.”

Her lower lip quivered. “Y-you do? ‘Cause that’ll be a long time.”

“Yes. You brought something in me back to life I thought damaged beyond repair. When I lost my wife I thought … that’s it. You only get one love like that. The connection with Stacey struck me like lighting and was extinguished just as fast and out of the blue. Then I saw you, and bang. Fireworks and thunder, no matter how I tried to fight it. I only agreed to two weeks because it was all you were willing to give me to start. I had no plans of it remaining that way. Every day I fall a little bit more for you. I was half way gone when I asked you out. These months our talks felt like mini-dates. A preview of how great we could be together.”

Her jaw opened and closed. She shook her head. “I tried to fight it, too. You affected me like no man ever has. I thought … two weeks, and you’d be out of my system. Instead, you infected it like a septic infection, working so deep in my blood stream I couldn’t get you out if I tried. I—I’m falling in love with you, too, Ty. Your humor, easy-going ways, and love of all things sci-fi.” She laughed. “With you I never have to be anything else. You showed me I could have a life full of more than work and being my mother’s keeper. It won’t be easy to stop taking care of her, but I refuse to let the past continue to dictate my future.”

“We’ll do it together.” Cupping her face in his hands he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “I want to be with you, Maci Lou Long. I know we have things to work on, but it's nothing insurmountable.”

“You really believe that, don’t you?” she whispered.

“Don’t you?”

“I’m afraid, but I trust you.”

“Then that’s where we’ll start, at the basis of every great relationship.” Peppering her face with kisses he held the moment close.”You're mine now, the same as I’m yours. I can’t promise we won’t fight, and I won’t say this will be easy. But I can promise you I’m not going anywhere.” He leaned down, and their lips met in a kiss that sealed the promises spoken aloud, and within their hearts.

Epilogue