I had no idea I’d be gone for a week. It was the longest of my life. I have no clue what she might be thinking. How mad she’s going to be. If she dropped off the map for a week, I’d lose my fucking mind. I should have told her more before I left. I thought giving her any idea of what I was doing would make her life hell until I got back. I never thought what she might think if I was gone so long. Hell, I didn't know I’d be gone this long. But it will be the last time that I ever leave her. Especially without explanation.
I pull up to her cabin but don’t stop driving. I don’t see her truck. I make a U-turn, hitting Jameson’s number on my phone. If anyone knows where she is, it’ll be Bunny. And if Bunny knows, Jameson knows.
“Hey,” he answers.
“Precious there?”
“Who?”
“PJ,” I grit out.
“Her name is Precious?” He barks out a laugh.
“Not the fucking time.”
“You’re edgier than normal.”
“Jameson,” I growl.
“I think she’s at your place.”
“Thanks.” I end the call and push down harder on the gas, surprised she’s at my house. I don't want it to be my house. I want it to be ours. When I pull up to the house, Duke sits up from where he was sleeping on the porch. I scan the rest of the porch but I don’t see her anywhere. My mind tries to play out all the different scenarios that might happen when I walk into the house. I’m not one to get nervous but I’m guessing that may be what I’m feeling.
Is she going to try to leave me? Is she only here because she promised to take care of Duke? Is she going to haul ass out of here? My hand goes to my chest, a sharp hollow pain making itself known. I don’t think I could bear it. I can't lose her. Life can’t be that cruel. It has already taken so much from me. Could it possibly try to take the one person from me that I finally let get close to me?
I step out of the truck heading for the front door. Duke is up and heading my way, and I give him a pat on the head.
“Good boy,” I tell him. He watched her while I was gone. When I open the screen door, the smell of cinnamon and apples fills the air. I hear the sounds of humming. I enter the kitchen to see my kitten pulling something out of the oven. She sets it down on the counter. I stand there watching her. She’s got her shiny hair piled on top of her head. She’s wearing my shirt paired with an apron. Her feet are bare.
“Bow.” She turns to look at me. Her eyes go wide.
I take three long steps until I’m in front of her. I drop to my knees in front of her, burying my face in her stomach breathing her in. “I’m sorry,” I say. I feel her fingers run through my hair. “Don’t leave me.”
“Bow.” She says my name again. I look up at her. “I’m in your kitchen cooking. What makes you think I’m leaving you?”
“I was an asshole. I should have told you I could be gone longer than I thought. I should have-” I trail off. There are so many things I should have done. She stares down at me. Her lips part like she’s going to say something, but she closes them. At least she’s not yelling at me. Trying to push away from me. That has to mean something. “I love you.” It’s a selfish thing to say right now, but it’s the truth.
“I love you too.” My chest goes tight again. “Doesn't mean I’m not mad at you.”
“I’m okay with that.” I can work on the mad thing. I’ll work my whole life making this up to her. I don’t give a shit. As long as she loves me. I pick her up, carrying her into the living room. I sit down on the sofa with her in my lap. She straddles me. I breathe her scent in. She smells good enough to eat.
“How was work?” Her hands roam up and down my shirt. I don’t know if she’s teasing me or not. “Tell me you’re okay.” She smacks my chest. I try not to flinch, but she catches it. Her eyes go wide again. She pulls at my shirt. I don’t stop her. “You’ve been shot!” she practically screams. “And you’re carrying me around.”
“It doesn't hurt. It was a through and through.” She puts her hand over the bandage.
“I’m starting to understand why my brothers worry over me so much in this line of work.” Her eyes fill with tears. This is exactly what I didn't want.