Lucky Number Thirteen: An Inspirational Western Romance Novella (Three Rivers Ranch Romance Book 9) by Isaacson Liz & Johnson Elana

Author:Isaacson, Liz & Johnson, Elana [Isaacson, Liz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AEJ Creative Works
Published: 2017-03-06T08:00:00+00:00

9

Tanner couldn’t believe the difference between kissing Summer and kissing the other women he had. But there was a marked difference. This relationship felt real—something none of his others had.

“Summer,” he murmured sleepily. They’d eaten and kissed some more. Now they lay in each other’s arms, the summer breeze drifting lazily over them, keeping them cool enough.

“Yeah?”

“I’ve been thinking about something.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.” He sighed. “I don’t think you’ll like it.”

That got her attention and she lifted her head to look at him. “What is it?”

“Well, my mom is getting older. I only have one brother, and he just had his third son. I haven’t even met the baby yet.”

She watched him, those compassionate eyes waiting. He sighed and gazed into the sky so he could say his next words. “I know I said I was going to stay in Three Rivers, but I think I need to return to Colorado Springs.” He turned his eyes on her so he could see her reaction.

She blinked and opened her mouth to say something. Nothing came out.

“Not right away,” he added. “I committed to the eight weeks of homecare. I’m going to do that. But when the doctor says I can travel, I’m going to have to get back up to Colorado Springs.” His voice drifted quieter with each word. “I have a house there. My brother and his family live there. My mom needs help from time to time.”

The sky seemed full of golden light, and he appreciated it. He couldn't remember the last time he’d stopped to appreciate nature. He was busy, traveling, riding, roping, winning.

“I think maybe God allowed me to get injured so I’d slow down,” he said, each word weighed and measured before he spoke it. “So I could be part of my family’s life. So I wouldn’t miss too much time with them.” He stopped speaking, everything inside him, everything he’d been thinking about since that morning, finally out.

He wanted her to say something, but she remained silent. She settled back into the crook of his arm, her head on his chest, but her body felt stiff next to his.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she said. “It’s not my life.” She didn’t sound angry or upset. She didn’t sound non-committal either.

Tanner wasn’t sure how to read her. “I—”

“Maybe now isn’t a great time for us to be starting a relationship,” she said.

“That isn’t what I meant.”

She exhaled and sat up. He envied her for how easy it was. He couldn’t even take a deep breath. “My life is in Three Rivers,” she said. “I have a good job here. Friends. My parents.”

“I know.” He tried to sit too, but his ribs protested. He lay back down, that beautiful sky above him in direct contrast to the conversation before him. “I’m not saying you have to move.”

“Then there can’t be a relationship.” She shook her head, her honeyed curls bouncing against her shoulders. He couldn’t see her face as she set about cleaning up their picnic.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
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.