The Rancher's Redemption

“Good abs,” she murmured.

“What’s that?” Adam asked.

Lizzie felt herself blushing. “Nothing.” She yawned as they approached the edge of the small town. “I think we’ll both sleep well tonight.”

Adam didn’t answer, his attention on weaving his big truck through the narrower roads behind Main Street. They went past Gabby’s, and Lizzie noticed that the lights in Coretta’s house next door were on, and that there was an unfamiliar car parked outside.

“Coretta’s back,” Lizzie commented.

“Let me know if she causes you any trouble, and I’ll be right there,” Adam said grimly.

“I’m hoping there won’t be any.” Lizzie turned to check Roman who was still sleeping. “I’d like things to get back to normal now, please.”

“Me, too.”

Lizzie bit her lip and stared straight ahead. “I bet.”

He’d been quiet all the way home, and she sensed he was withdrawing from her. She knew how he felt. Seeing him again—spending time with him—had reminded her of everything she’d lost. Underneath that somewhat humorless exterior, he was still the Adam she’d known at school: funny, kind, gentle.... Part of her wanted to find that man and coax him out of his self-imposed shell. It was also a scary prospect because she feared she’d like him way too much, and then where would their friendship be?

“You don’t have to come in.” Lizzie stated as he drew up in front of her apartment.

He frowned. “Roman’s asleep. I’ll carry him up for you.”

Knowing that waking her son would mean he’d be up all night, Lizzie gave up her feeble protest. She unbuckled Roman from his car seat, handed him over to Adam and took the seat out of the truck. She let Adam in the lower door and followed him upstairs into Roman’s bedroom where he gently laid her son on his bed. He smoothed the boy’s hair before he straightened, and turned to Lizzie who was watching him from the door.

“He’s a great kid.”

“Thanks.”

She went back into the kitchen and undid the straps of her backpack, trying not to make Adam feel like he had to stay a moment longer than necessary.

He paused by the counter. “You should bring him out again.”

“I’m sure he’d love that.” She wouldn’t look at him, she couldn’t. “Maybe you can pick him up and take him out there one day?”

“I’d rather you came with him.”

“You’re probably sick to death of me.” She found a smile. “I’m not sure I’ll have the time anyway, but thanks for the offer.”

He went still. “When I agreed that I’d like my life to get back to normal, I didn’t mean I wanted to get rid of you and Roman.”

“Okay.”

His voice deepened and he took a step toward her. “Lizzie . . .”

“What?” She turned to face him and found she was stuck in the corner between the two countertops with nowhere to go. Just as she looked up, he leaned forward, hands planted on either side of her. His mouth brushed hers, making everything inside her go quiet and still.

“I mean it.”

“Okay.” He was so close that she literally breathed her answer against his lips.

“I like to see you. . . .” He angled his head, catching all of her mouth this time, and she let him kiss her because she didn’t have the strength or the desire to push him away.

He slid his hand around the back of her neck and kissed her properly, deeply, perfectly, and she kissed him back. He took his time learning her, each flick of his tongue and press of his lips, a slow exploration that made her feel like a precious artifact.

Eventually, he drew back. “Did I do that right?”

She nodded, her brain too addled to form actual words.

“I’m out of practice.” He grimaced, and dropped one last kiss on her nose. “Thanks again for a great day. I’ll speak to you soon.”

The next thing she knew, he was leaving. It was only after the door slammed shut behind him that she realized she was still holding Roman’s drinking cup in one of her clenched hands. Adam had taken her completely by surprise, and now she didn’t know what to think. She pressed her fingers to her lips, tasting him again, and went to put Roman to bed in something of a daze.