Page 27 of Roots of Redemption (Hicks Creek #4)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sutton

W hen I was a teenager, I dreamed of a moment like this. I had such a crush on Wade but didn’t think he saw me as more than an annoying teenage girl. I also just never thought I’d have a chance with Wade Callahan.

I can feel my cheeks are flushed and that my entire body is responding to him with warmth. It feels…nice to have him be honest with me about his intentions.

The two of us finish eating, and the waitress adds another few boxes to the table after he pays.

“Caleb needs to eat,” he chuckles as he gestures with the boxes. “Sometimes I think he has a tapeworm.”

“I could see that. He was practically inhaling the snacks that your mom sent.”

“Sounds about right.”

Despite having his hands full, he opens the door for me as we leave the restaurant.

“Do you want me to carry something?”

“No.” He smiles. “But thank you.”

I hurry ahead of him to open the truck door. But even then, he places the boxes in the back and then hurries to beat me to the passenger side door to let me in.

Gah, this being a gentleman thing is amazing. I’ve never had a man be so thoughtful or chivalrous.

It’s like I’ve known him all my life without knowing him, really. I’d always heard rumors about him being a player or emotionally unavailable, but that was a long time ago and not at all the man that I’m getting now.

We drive home talking about the herds and the possibilities of what the illness could be. It’s nice to be able to talk shop with someone while also feeling completely safe, like I don’t have to prove anything to him.

It feels like we’ve only been in the car for a minute before we’re pulling into the driveway of the ranch. He stops the truck in front of the house, and Caleb immediately jogs outside.

“Can’t beat pizza delivery,” he jokes.

“Try not to inhale it in one sitting.”

“No promises. Hey Doc, everything was quiet today. We didn’t lose any cattle and there’s no new symptoms since y’all went on your herd checks. I have some new studies I want to share with you tomorrow.”

“I’d love to look through them.” I grin back at him.

“Enjoy your night!” Caleb calls over his shoulder as he hurries back into the house.

“He’s such a good kid,” I say softly. “I’ve got a bottle of whiskey in the guest house. Would you like to join me for a nightcap?”

“I would love that.”

He laces his fingers through mine, and we walk to the guest house. He follows me inside, and I pour both of us a tumbler of whiskey before gesturing to the front porch.

“I’ve been dying to get some use out of this,” I tell him.

“Front-porch sitting is underrated for sure, especially on a clear night like this.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to just sit and enjoy the stars.”

We settle into the chairs on the front porch, sipping our whiskey in comfortable silence. The night sky is clear and full of twinkling stars, a sight that never fails to fill me with awe.

“I can see why you love it out here,” I say softly, breaking the silence. “It’s peaceful.”

“It really is,” he murmurs. “There’s nothing quite like it.”

“I guess I’ve always taken it for granted before.”

“It happens. We’re so busy living life that we don’t take the time to slow down and take a look around.”

“What reminded you to do that?”

“Last summer, we had a guy from India visiting the church. Mom invited him out to stay with us for a few days. A lot of people would tease him because it would take him so long to get anywhere. There was one night out here he kept looking up at the sky and smiling, so I asked if he’d seen something.

He turned and said that because of where he lived, he wasn’t able to see the sky and so getting to see it here was a gift. ”

“Oh, wow, that’s amazing.”

“I try to be more mindful now, make sure that I’m present in everything. Most people are glued to their phones, but I tend to forget where I leave mine a lot.”

“I’ve noticed that happening a lot here.”

I want to spend every waking second with this man, but I know that I can’t and I shouldn’t. I want this to be more, but I don’t know that it ever can be.

What happened with that Heather woman happens a lot to Wade Callahan and I don’t want to become the next woman on that long list.

I stand up and stretch. “I should be getting a shower and get to bed. Thanks for dinner and…today, it was nice.”

He stands too. He takes a step forward, reaches out and tugs me into him. His mouth is on mine before I have time to think.

His kiss is gentle yet filled with a raw passion that sends a shot of warmth straight between my thighs.

It’s so intense that I feel my knees buckle.

His hands tighten around my waist as he pulls me even closer to him.

I melt into him. My fingers grip his shirt, needing to cling to something so that I don’t float away.

One hand goes up to grip the back of my head, his fingers threading through my hair as he tightens his grip and deepens the kiss. Our tongues tangle together, exploring and tasting.

We could just take a few steps inside and he could be inside me in no time.

Or maybe he could eat me like he did the other day. I need more of that. He can ravage my body in whatever way he wants.

I need to stop and pull myself back together. I need to take a step back and look at what’s really going on here.

I don’t want to stop, but I have to. I’m falling hard for this man, and I don’t think I have any business doing so. I don’t want to leave Hicks Creek, but I’m not sure if that’s a possible reality.

I decide to end the kiss, gently pushing him away. “We need to slow down,” I say, trying to catch my breath. “This is happening too fast.”

“You’re right. I need to give you space to breathe,” he murmurs as he looks into my eyes. “It’s hard to keep my hands to myself around you.”

“This…this shouldn’t be happening, Wade. This isn’t why I’m here. It complicates things and can make it awkward. I don’t want that.”

He takes a step back and looks at me. “I told you that I would give you space. And I will do that. I will reiterate what I said earlier, though, and I’ll repeat it however many times is necessary for you to believe me. I want you and only you, Sutton Bishop.”

“You don’t even know me,” I breathe.

“I know enough. The rest will come. This attraction, the connection between us, is something I’ve never experienced before. You felt it that night in Texas, too. You’ve felt it since you pulled into this driveway.”

“You don’t—”

He gently grabs my face in my hands.

“Maybe you want to deny it right now for whatever reason, but you know you’ve felt it, too. I get that you’re scared, and things are up in the air crazy right now, but I’m going to make certain you know that I’m serious.”

He lets go of me, turns on his heel, and walks away while I’m still trying to register his words. I grip the nearby chair, my body still trying to settle after he kissed me.

I’ve never had a man declare anything for me.

Is he serious right now? Or is that what he says to all the women and that’s why they go crazy after?

I blow out a long breath and take a few steps toward the door. My legs feel like rubber, and my body is screaming at me to call after him.

I can’t. I don’t know if I’m prepared for what will happen if he comes back and kisses me like that again.