Rough Country (Tannen Boys 3)

She makes it sound like that’s obvious, but it’s not to me.

“I’m moving there so I can help Unc more. He wants to slow down, go fishing with Doc and Richard more often, and kinda slow-step toward eventual retirement. I want to help and spend time with him.”

“You’re going back?” Out of everything she said, that’s what sticks. And I need to be crystal-fucking-clear that’s the case so I don’t have to keep her locked up in my room on the farm like one of those true crime late-night shows she watches. Because that thought has already occurred to me too. I never claimed to be right in the head, just that I love her.

“Yes?” she answers. “Is that okay?”

“Fuck yeah, it is,” I huff out, happiness letting my heart start to beat again. She’s coming back to Great Falls. “I’m going back too, and you’re coming with me.” She just said that, but I need her to hear that there’s no other option, no other way.

“I don’t want to hold you back. I know what this deal means to you. Do what you need to. I’ll be in Great Falls when your big tour bus rolls through town.”

She’s trying to joke, and I think she actually believes I could do that—go on the road and come through town every once in a while for a visit. That’s not remotely possible. I want her by my side every day, in my arms every night. I want to hear what goes through her mind, see what photos she takes, and taste her kiss every chance I get. That won’t happen if we’re apart, not even for a single day.

“I don’t want it without you. I love you, Willow. Every day, every way, always. Fuck knows, I’m a complete mess without you, but I want to see every sunrise and sunset with you, give you bubble baths and doughnuts, and play music while you take pictures until your finger is numb.” Words are falling off my tongue, pouring out of my heart, coming easily for once. Thank God, because this is when they matter most. I hope they’re enough to make her see what we could have, what I’ll give her, if she’ll only give me another chance at owning her heart.

“The deal? Your music?” she argues, still not getting it.

“That was my dream, but I know what’s truly important. You. You’re everything, and without you, nothing else fucking matters.” I can’t stand it. I pull her into me, hugging her tightly. I wish I could climb inside her to make her feel what I feel. Then she’d never doubt that all I want is her. She’s all I dream of now. Her cheek pressed to my chest, I run my fingers through her short hair, brushing it behind her ear the way she does. I lay a kiss to the top of her head, whispering, “I can’t believe I let you do that. I’m such a fucking idiot for believing for one second that you would leave me because I know you feel this too. You’ve felt it from the beginning, just like me. I’m sorry I didn’t chase you down. I just—”

My words falter, and all I can do is squeeze her, a tidal wave of relief at having her in my arms again washing through me. Her arms go around my waist, hugging me back, and a knot in my gut releases as hope blooms.

Quietly, she says, “I don’t want you to regret this later. Regret me. What if you never get another chance like the one Jeremy is giving you? What if you only sing at Hank’s for the rest of your life? You’re too good for that.”

“I could never regret you, sweetheart. I only wish I’d found you sooner so I could’ve loved you longer. You’re amazing and special, and I don’t care if the only place I ever play is my tailgate and the only audience I ever have is you and our kids. That’s enough for me. You’re enough for me. Hell, you’re more than enough,” I say with a small chuckle. This woman is way too good for me, but I’ll do my damnedest to make sure I’m worth her.

“Oh, my God, Willow. If you don’t kiss that man, I’m going to,” Carrie says, laughing through sniffly tears.

Willow looks over to her mom. I still can’t. My eyes are only for Willow until she says yes. Until she says she’s mine.

“Tell me, sweetheart.”

“I love you, Bobby.”

I can see her licking her lips in preparation and feel her lifting to her toes. I try to be patient and let her kiss me this time, but at the last second, I can’t wait anymore and I meet her halfway.

Though our lips move against one another the way they have dozens of times before, something is different about this kiss. This kiss is a promise of a shared future, of the two of us against the world, of nothing ever coming between us again.