“It isn’t the same. We can’t go back. I can’t go back.”
“Why not?”
“Because we hadn’t made love then, Jace. Everything is different now.”
“I get your point. So, we don’t have to go all the way back to Idaho. Instead, we can just be here. Now. And instead of talkin’ about us, let’s just talk. Tell me how you
’ve been. How’s the academy?”
They spent the next two hours talking, and Bree didn’t hold anything back. She hadn’t told anyone else how hard being at the academy was for her.
“I love being with Cochran. Now, with another baby on the way—”
“Wait. What? Tucker and Blythe are having another baby? Jesus, Tuck didn’t tell me.”
“I probably shouldn’t have said anything. Blythe told me before we left Monument. She just found out. I’m sorry.”
“Nah, don’t be sorry. I’m sure Tucker will say somethin’ when he thinks the time is right. He and I haven’t had much time to connect on this trip.”
“I’m sorry about that, too.”
Jace put his hands on either side of her face. “Will you listen?”
She nodded her head.
“There isn’t anybody here this weekend that I wanted to see more than you.”
Bree nodded again, and then she yawned.
“Are you ready to go back to the Flying R?”
“Do you mind? I’m so tired.”
The house was quiet when they got back. Jace lit the fire and sat down on the sofa.
“Everyone asleep?” he asked when she came back upstairs. She had changed into the same oversized sweatshirt and pajama bottoms she had on the night before.
“I don’t think everyone is back yet. Blythe is, she was getting Cochran to sleep.”
She sat down on the hearth of the fireplace, pulled her knees up in front of her, and rested her head on her arms. “We haven’t talked about the other night. I owe you an apology. At least, I think I do.” She closed her eyes. “Just the fact that I’m not sure, must mean I do.”
“No, you don’t.”
She didn’t open her eyes.
“Please, come over here and sit with me.”
She raised her head and looked at him.
“Please, Bree.”
It took her a minute, but eventually she unfolded her legs. Her feet were bare, and when she sat down and drew them up on the sofa in front of her, Jace rested his hand on them. Her toes were like ice. He stood and pulled a blanket off a nearby chair and covered her with it, tucking it under her feet.
“There,” he murmured.
“You’re too nice to me.”
“No one in this house would agree.”