Page 31 of Raised On It (Between the Pines #1)

Miles

T he pale light of the morning illuminates the softness of her face while my sweet city mouse sleeps. We’re both lying on our sides mirroring one another, the only difference between us is her peaceful slumber. In stark contrast, I am wide-awake with my insides twisted in knots.

Even if I do have all the confidence in the world that the woman lying next to me is the one I’ve been waiting for, I also know life doesn’t always work out the way we hope. We don’t always get what we want.

The thing is, lying here, watching her sleep, yes, I want her, but more than that, I need her. In a few short weeks, I’ve discovered the missing piece of me, and there is no more me without her.

I need her to breathe.

But she’s made it very clear the need does not go both ways.

After what she’s been through, she’s learned to compartmentalize and only need what she can provide for herself.

As much as I want her to need me as much as I need her, the strength she’s found in herself is one of the things I love about her, and I wouldn’t want to change her.

But I do want her to need me.

She’s been burned by those closest to her, and the only person who has ever put Mason first is Mason.

What she doesn’t get quite yet is that she’s not alone anymore. She has me. And I will always put her first. Her best interests and her happiness will always be my priority.

Her slightly parted lips are begging to be kissed, her sun-kissed shoulders are pleading with me to touch them. But I don’t.

I’m frightened to wake her. Afraid to hear what she might say. I know she was awake for quite some time last night because I never did sleep, aware of every breath she took. I felt it when she did finally fall asleep. Her breath grew heavy, and her body almost imperceptibly grew more lax.

With her asleep in my arms, everything was as it should be. Eventually, she grew warm and rolled away, but not long after, she rolled back over to face me and reached for me in her unconscious state.

Did she finally fall asleep because she had thought about us, like I asked her to, and she had come to a conclusion? Or was she so exhausted from it all that her body took over for her brain and let her sleep?

As much as I want to wake her, it’s way too early, but I have to take Reece and Rachel to the airport, and Lou needs to be fed and let out before I pick them up. Reluctantly, I slide out of bed, gather my clothes, and creep into the living room to get dressed.

Looking for a piece of paper and a pen, so I can leave her a note, I stumble upon one of her infamous journals, and it calls to me like a beacon in the dawn.

I pick it up but stop myself before I do something I’ll regret.

Reading her journal would break her trust on a level I’m not sure she would get over, but I sure as hell want to.

I’ve been dying to know what she’s written about her time in Eastlyn, but most importantly what she’s written about me.

I put the multicolored book down and instead flip over the Eastlyn Rodeo Days flyer sitting on the kitchen table and write my note on the back.

I prop it up against the vase of flowers in the center of the table and let myself out.

It doesn’t go unnoticed by me that the flowers look like one of the window displays from Busy Bee Flowers.

She said she’d be back for flowers, and she did just that.

Hell yes, she did.

Another reason to fight with all my might for her.

For us.

Halfway to the airport, Reece and Rachel start asking questions. Frankly, I’m shocked it took this long.

“So, Mason, huh?” Reece asks without really asking anything, but of course I know what he’s asking.

“What about her?”

“Stop it, Miles. How did it go last night? You didn’t come back to The Verdict, so is that a good sign that you made her see she was making a huge mistake?”

“That right there is the million-dollar question, Rachel. We talked, and we slept, but nothing was resolved.”

“Man, I’m sorry to hear it. She’s a good girl.” Reece commiserates with me.

“You don’t even know the half of it, man. I’ve finally found the woman I want to commit to, and she doesn’t need me. Lives on the other side of the country and won’t stop reminding me how limited her time here in Eastlyn is.”

“Miles, you know the girls and I have talked, and you have to know it’s not about you, right? She’s been through some stuff. Been screwed over and lost herself there for a time, so she’s scared.”

I love that she confided in the girls when she doesn’t trust other people easily. Rachel taking her side means my crew has accepted her.

“I know, Rach, and I’m not trying to rush her into something, but it’s really hard when it seems so easy for her to just walk away from me when she gets scared.

I know I’m new to this whole relationship gig, but I’ve learned a lot from all of you, especially you two.

I know communication is key, and she has to talk to me. ”

“Be patient. I know it’s hard but trust me. I know a little something about the right girl being worth the wait.” Reece turns in his seat to look at Rachel.

In the rearview mirror, I watch her mouth, “I love you too, Reece.” Now, these two have really been through it.

“Enough about me! Look at you two! I couldn’t be happier for you guys. Rach, you excited?”

“I can’t freaking wait, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared to death.”

Now Reece is completely turned in his seat. “What do you mean you’re scared to death? I’ll be with you the entire time.”

Uh-oh.

“Babe, I know you will be, but I also know you run that place. You’re gonna be busy, and not only am I gonna be the new girl in town but these people are also your friends and co-workers. I don’t know. I can’t help but be nervous.”

Reece works with Doctors Without Borders and runs a refugee camp for thousands of people who have nothing and need assistance. She’s right. He is busy. Busy saving lives.

“Rachel, you know you are going to be breaking some hearts when you come back with him, right? I’m sure our hot, young doctor here has all the other volunteers creaming in their panties, and now you’ve taken him off the market. You better watch your back, girl.”

“Come on, Vi,” Reece says, using his longtime nickname for her. She was so quiet and shy as a kid that he called her Violet, as in shrinking violet. “Ignore Miles. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

“You better hope he’s wrong because the days of me being shy and quiet are long gone. I don’t want to have to cut a bitch, but I will if push comes to shove.”

“Hot damn! That’s my girl!” I hoot from the driver’s seat.

Reece, well, he isn’t sure what to say. He’s just staring at her stunned silent.

“Understood, babe?” she asks the love of her life, who’s seeing a part of her he’s missed over these past twelve years.

The one positive thing Rachel gained after her heart was torn to shreds was her voice. She protected herself and her heart after Reece ended things with her, and she has been fierce ever since.

I see similarities between her and Mason. Here’s to hoping Mason has found her voice yet is still willing to give us a chance. If Rach can give Reece a second chance, I sure as hell hope Mason can give me a first.

“Understood, babe. God, I love you.”

“We’re here, lovebirds,” I say, putting the truck in park at the curbside drop-off at our small regional airport in Pendleton. They’ll take a quick flight to Portland where they’ll grab their international flight.

We all hop out, and I help them unload their luggage. I’m grateful I got the privilege of driving them today, even if it meant leaving my sleeping beauty. I’m glad to have had a bit of one-on-one time I wasn’t able to get last night at their going-away festivities.

“Thanks for the ride, Miles.” Rachel gives me a hug and whispers in my ear. “Be patient with her, Miles. If Reece and I can make it work again, you guys will get there too. ”

“Thanks, Rach. I sure hope you’re right.” I pull back from her and hold her at arm's length to get a good look at her. “Be safe and enjoy this time. I know it isn’t going to be all fun and games, and it will be hard to be romantic but enjoy this experience with him, okay.”

She nods.

“Love you, girl.”

“Right back atcha.”

Rachel steps aside, and Reece steps in to fill her place.

“Thanks for the ride, man. When I get back in six months, I hope that sweet girl is by your side.”

“Thanks, Doc. Now get out of here and go save the world.”

The good doctor and his shrinking violet smile, wave, and head off on their adventure.