“Shhh!” He put a finger to her lips. “I know you’re not ready to hear it, but I had to tell you. We don’t know how many days we have left on this earth. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. So I don’t want to waste a day, pretending I only like you as a friend.”
“But I—”
“You bring out the best in me, Jess. You make me want to be a better man. And you aren’t afraid to tell me when I’m being stupid. I may not like hearing it at the time, but I love you for it.”
“I’m so—”
“There’s no pressure.” He waved his hand in front of her face. “I’m willing to wait as long as I have to. That is, if you think there’s a chance that someday, in the future, you might feel the same way.”
“I—”
“But I’m not pushing you. Do you understand? I’m not like Parker.”
“Cord!” His name exploded out of her mouth, as she stomped her foot.
“What?” Wide eyed, he took a step back.
“Stop cutting me off!” Her hands were balled up so tight her fingernails bit into her palms.
“Okay…” He blinked at her.
“I was trying to say I love you, too.”
“You do?” The muscles in his throat seemed to convulse. “Because it sounds kind of like you hate me.”
“No, I’m just frustrated because you wouldn’t let me talk.” She folded her arms over her chest. “But, I love you. I really do. I just hadn’t figured out how to tell you.”
“You really love me? Are you sure?” He pried her tightly twisted arms apart and took her hands, rubbing his thumbs across her fingers in a way that made her irritation float away like smoke in the wind.
“Don’t get a big head or anything,” she said, “but I’ve been in love with you since I was thirteen.”
His dimples danced. “I’m sorry I didn’t notice you back then, but your brother would’ve killed me. Literally.”
“And you would’ve been arrested.”
“That, too.”
“It was a crush back then,” she said. “But now, it’s the real th—”
Cord cut her off again. But this time he did it with a kiss that made her toes curl inside her boots.
And she didn’t complain… not one bit.
Epilogue
May—ten months later
“Good morning, Cord.” With her hands in dishwater up to her elbows, Sharon looked over her shoulder. “I’m afraid I just put all the breakfast stuff away, but you’re welcome to heat up some leftovers. We had sausage and egg casserole.”
“Thanks, Sharon. But I’ve already eaten.” Cord hung his hat on a hook and shut the kitchen door behind him.
“Jess’ll be right down. She ran upstairs to brush her teeth.”
“We’re heading down to the stables for a quick ride.” Cord popped a mint in his mouth in anticipation of a private moment.
“Do you have room in your car for Bucky and me tomor
row morning? Neither one of us likes driving in Dallas.”