Her Texas Lawman by Addison Fox
Author:Addison Fox
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-11-01T15:38:10+00:00
Chapter 11
Noah heard the water stop running in the en suite bathroom and diligently fought to ignore the strange sense of intimacy that hung over him like a blanket. He and Shayne had been given a spare room in one of the wings of the large Reynolds ranch house, and heâd already set up several sheets and pillows on the couch that dominated one wall of the bedroomâs outer sitting room while she got ready for bed.
He could do this.
Heâd spent last night at Shayneâs home, and there was nothing about tonight that was any different.
Even if they had spent the long day together, another test of their internal fortitude, physical strength and emotional strain.
But there had been ice cream, Shayne had reminded him as heâd tried to talk over the day with her. Tried being the operative word since sheâd seemed unwilling to discuss anything beyond the new baby, the vast quantities of ice cream in the Reynolds freezer or a few jokes Tate had made over dinner.
Was she simply processing it all? Or did she just need a break from the mental strain?
He wanted to give her the space she needed but ignoring the day theyâd both experienced wasnât necessarily healthy, either.
Maybe because you need to talk about it, too.
That thought struck out, whip-quick as a snake, and Noah recognized it. And in the recognition, realized it was time to own it.
Shayne came out of the bathroom, clad in a T-shirt and shorts, her hair pulled up. She was fresh-faced from her evening ministrations in the bathroom, and he couldnât deny how good she looked.
Or how deeply appealing he found her.
âThe Reynolds family are an amazing group of people,â Shayne said as she took a seat on the couch opposite him. âWarm, welcoming and really funny. I know Arden well, but before tonight didnât know much of her family beyond passing hellos. Theyâre quite a bunch.â
âI feel the same. I got to know Belle last year during the Russ Grantham case but not her family. And then I was transferred out of The Pass quickly after that. Theyâre good people. Theyâve been through a lot the past year but have clearly come out the other side.â
âReese talked about that when we were in the kitchen with the baby. Or maybe better said, she offered a soft suggestion that, in her way, was as indomitable as a shout from the rooftops.â
âWhatâs that?â
âShe talked about taking joy. And about how weâre not responsible for the bad actions of others, even when they hurt us.â
âYouâre not, you know.â
Shayne frowned before her back straightened, her shoulders stiffening.
âWhatâs the matter?â he asked.
âRight there. That, Noah. You want to make me feel better with your whole talk track about how Iâm not to blame or how I shouldnât feel responsible, yet you canât do the same for yourself.â
âI didnât say that.â
âYou most certainly have. Youâve said it in your actions and in all you wonât say. Your focus on every comment I make when it comes to how I feel about Rick and the time I spent with him being the root of enormous guilt.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
All It Takes (Light My Fire Series Book 7) by J.H. Croix(297)
Make You Mine by J.H. Croix(257)
Jasper Vale (The Edens) by Devney Perry(251)
A. Bertram Chandler - Grimes 030 by Chance Encounter(164)
The Rodeo Cowboy's Baby by Heidi Rice(148)
Crushing on the Cowboy by Sarah M. Anderson(120)
Montana Country Legacy--The Reluctant Rancher by Donna Alward(112)
Harlequin Desire: December 2022 Box Set 2 of 2 by Stacey Kennedy(111)
The Rancher's Proposal by Paula Altenburg(108)
Breaking Wicked by EJ Nickson(105)
The Banker by Lois Breedlove(103)
Daddy Crush: A Dad's Best Friend, Older Man Younger Woman, Age Gap Romance (Silver Fox Daddy Book 5) by Olivia Fox(97)
Rancher in Training by Marie Johnston(96)
Breaking Country by EJ Nickson(94)
A Cowboy for April by Jamie K. Schmidt(89)
Shotgun Wedding by Iris Trovao(88)
Cowboy's Law by Celeste Jones(85)
Moon and Stars by Zahra Owens(84)
Montana Protector by Diana Palmer(80)