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“That’s sacrilege,” Kelby said teasingly.

Then she grew serious. “I also have seen a therapist. When I was at my lowest, just before I filed for divorce, I sought out help. I’d already joined Al-Anon, trying to understand Bax’s addiction and how I should handle it, but I needed an extra bit of help to give me the strength and courage to walk away from my marriage.

I credit that therapist with helping me to realize that I could be brave and strong and make it on my own.

“When I landed the job and moved to Dallas, she gave me the name of one of her colleagues she’d gone to school with, and I saw him for the first two years I lived there. I still go in a couple of times a year, like a tune-up.”

“Have you been recently?”

“No. Things happened too fast. I found out about Bax’s arrest and Dad’s stroke within a couple of hours of each event.

I raced to the hospital, and then I got the call from Reginald, my boss, early the next morning.

Chance was the one who suggested I call Sawyer to help me.

That severance package got taken care of, and I’ve devoted myself to Dad night and day.

It’s only in the last couple of days that I’ve had to back off since the live-in rehab place didn’t want me around all the time.

It’s fine for me to visit, but they believe Dad will make more progress in his therapy sessions if he attends them alone. ”

By now, they had reached his house, and he pulled the car next to the front curb.

“Do you still want to go in?” he asked quietly. “No obligation.”

Determination filled her. “I think we owe each other at least one more decent attempt at a kiss.”

He bounded out of the car. Kelby waited, sensing it was important to him to be a gentleman and assist her from the car. They went to the front door, and he opened it.

“It wasn’t locked?” she asked.

West shrugged. “It’s Hawthorne. You think after Sawyer and I lived in Dallas all those years that we’d be more safety conscious, but it kinda feels good being back in a place where people respect your privacy and crime is low.”

“I shouldn’t be one to talk. We never lock doors at the ranch. I don’t even know if any of us even have a key to the Big House anymore. It’s so deep into the property, I guess we figure we don’t need to keep one.”

“Let me show you around. It won’t take long. There’s not much to see, but it fits our needs right now. Living room and kitchen, as you can see from the front door here. The place came furnished, which was nice. The realtor told us that’s rare these days.”

She saw a small table in the kitchen as he led her down the hallway.

“Sawyer’s bedroom is on the right. On the left, this room wasn’t furnished.

I had told Sawyer since he insisted I take the primary bedroom that he could use this as his home office.

He told me that he had an office on the square.

If he needed to work, he’d go there. He wants to keep a separation between work and his personal life. So, it’s empty for now.”

They moved up the hall, and he said, “Only bathroom is here.” He stopped at the end of the hall, staying in the doorway. “And my bedroom.”

Kelby noticed he remained on the threshold and didn’t move further into the room.

“It’s nice. It’ll be adequate for your needs for now.”

“I’ll want something more permanent down the road, but I didn’t want to rush into anything.

Besides, we were pretty lucky to even find this available.

With the new hospital being built, my realtor told me it’s going to be increasingly harder to find housing in Hawthorne unless someone starts building it.

She also mentioned that the hospital will bring a lot of jobs to Hawthorne. ”

West waited, and she realized that he wanted them to move back down the hallway to the living room. She did so, her pulse elevated now, knowing they would be sharing another kiss soon.

She liked that West had been open with her, sharing that he had seen a therapist. That gave them something in common. They had gone through different kinds of trauma, and both had been smart enough to seek professional help.

As they took a seat on the couch, Kelby asked, “Are you driving back to Dallas for your therapy sessions?”

“No, I usually FaceTime those. I saw Dr. Linda in person all last winter and spring. Then the team left for training camp, so we moved to FaceTime sessions. With me practicing and spending long hours watching film, as well as being on the road, in-person therapy wasn’t going to happen, and I was definitely committed to continuing it.

I still am. I had my weekly session with Dr. Linda this morning.

” He hesitated. “We even talked some about you.”

“You did?”

Kelby knew that the fact that West had brought her up to Dr. Linda meant something.

Having been in therapy herself, she knew patients didn’t waste time on the trivial.

If the relationship between patient and therapist was right, as it seemed in West’s case, then talking about her to Dr. Linda was very significant.

West nodded. “I told her how we had been pretty darn mature for kids of eighteen and had decided not to act on the kiss we shared.”

“Well, we both knew we were going different places, and there would be no time for a long-distance relationship.” She smiled. “We did have our heads on pretty well back then. What else did you talk about with Dr. Linda? If you feel comfortable telling me,” she added.

“How much I still like you. How vulnerable you are now, with all the stuff that’s been dumped on you. That’s why I think you were right to say we should just try to be friends, Kelby.”

Disappointment flooded her, but through therapy, she had learned to speak up for herself.

“I may be fragile now, West, but my core is strong. I know I decided to push you away yesterday, but that’s only because I was seeing West Sutherland, recent NFL player.

The league left a bad taste in my mouth.

I thought there was so much more they could’ve done to help Bax instead of letting him slip away.

For a moment, I was associating you with Bax—and all the hurt I had gone through with him. ”

She reached for his hand, threading her fingers through his.

“I had gotten to where I didn’t trust my gut because it had led me to Bax.

Kept me with him far too long. I know now, though, that I am a strong person.

I am in control of my future. No one else has the key to my destiny but me.

I can also see that you’re more than some ex-pro football player. You have more depth than Bax ever did.”

Squeezing his hand, she added, “I want to kiss you, West. I want to see if there’s anything still between us. One way or the other, I think this kiss will resolve a lot of things left unsaid. From the past—until now.”

His free hand cupped her cheek, and Kelby leaned into it, feeling safe with this man. Then his mouth met hers.

The kiss started gentle, but the sizzle was there. This time, West wasn’t trying to comfort her. Instead, he was giving them a chance, via the kiss.

Before she knew it, he had pulled her into his lap, his strong arms enveloping her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his.

His tongue glided back and forth across her bottom lip, teasing her, sending chills running along her spine.

Then the tip of his tongue outlined the shape of her mouth, causing a fire to light within her.

She opened to him, and he greedily took from her.

One arm anchored her, wrapped around her back, even as his hand pushed into her hair, finding her nape, holding her steady.

Her heart began to speed up, racing like a galloping horse as he explored her mouth.

She tasted mint and recalled how he loved to chew gum, often getting in trouble with teachers who made him spit it out every day.

The kiss was all fire now, and she fought him for control of it. She wanted to tear off her clothes—and his—but kept her head. Eventually, he gentled the kiss, then broke it. His lips grazed her cheek. She wanted more from him. Much, much more.

But this had been a wonderful start.

They both breathed heavily as their gazes met. His crooked smile tugged at her heartstrings.

“How was that, Kelby?” he asked, his voice low and rough.

“Really, really good,” she replied. “Enough to make me want to set friendship aside and explore more with you.”

He frowned slightly, and she asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know if I can do temporary with you,” he admitted.

“My heart is already asking more than it should.” He brushed a soft kiss on her lips.

“I told you that I’m ready for a new life.

One with a woman I love. Kids. A dog and cat and guinea pig and whatever else we add to the mix.

Once Big Jim has recovered, you’ll be gone.

” He swallowed hard. “I don’t think I could take that. ”

Regret filled his turquoise eyes. “Much as I want to start something with you and see where it goes, I think I’m going to have to pass.”

She framed his face in her hands. “I’m feeling a bit Dorothy-ish myself, as in there’s no place like home.

I don’t know how long Dad’s recovery is going to be, but the idea of working remotely here in Hawthorne appeals to me.

I’m not certain what I’ll want to do. I toyed with some ideas last night, but my gut is telling me I need to stay in Hawthorne.

To give myself the best chance at happiness. ”

Kelby kissed him tenderly. “And to take a chance with you, West.” Tears misted her eyes, as she asked, “So, what do you think? Do you want to risk both our hearts—and see where this goes?”

West studied her a long moment before speaking. “If you can keep an open mind, Kelby, and really think about staying in Hawthorne, then I’m all in.”