Page 133 of The Mountain Echoes

“I have.”

Her brows go up. “And you didn’t bother to tell me?”

“I went to him before the tractor was sugared ‘cause I felt somethin’ was off. Didn’t want to worry you without any fuckin’ evidence. You already had enough things to be stressed about, darlin’.”

My concern for her doesn’t have a soothing effect on her. She snarls, giving me a look that could’ve curdled milk.

“What else have you been doin’ without tellin’ me?”

“For fuck’s sake, Aria.” My voice roughens, frustrationlaces my words. “You think I’d fix your fences, chase your cattle, help your vet, hold you when you couldn’t even lift your head…if I didn’t love you?”

She flinches like the word hit a bruise.

I reach out but don’t touch. “Aria, look into your heart. What does it tell you?

She exhales sharply and shakes her head. “I heard you, Maverick. And…it....”

I lift her chin with a finger, so she’s forced to look at me. “I love you.”

She sags a little in relief.

“Do you believe me?”

Her head moves slowly somewhere between a nod and a shake, somewhere between acceptance and denial. “You know, Celine mocked me, said, ‘Did I really think you’d be interested in me?’ I sassed her and I….” She trails off.

I remember what Celine said to me. “You told her that I’m sleepin’ in your bed.”

“Yeah.”

“I am in your bed, your life, with you.” I cup her cheek. “Tell me you know that. Tell me you know what’s in my heart.”

She looks into my eyes, letting me see how vulnerable she is. My heart goes out to her. So many people have trampled over this woman, and now she’s waiting for me to do the same.

“I’m scared,” she whispers.

“I know,” I say gently. “But scared doesn’t mean what we have isn’t real.”

Her eyes go stormy. Ah, there is the passion and the fire. “Do you have any idea what it feels like? To fall in love with someone and wonder if it’s all another lie? I’ve been here before, Maverick. Last time I left, but this time....”

“Yeah?” I challenge her.

“Not gonna leave.”

“Good girl. And?” I coax.

She licks her lips, her need to be safe is waging a war against her love for me, her need to trust me. “And…not gonna let her take you from me.”

My heart expands with pride.

“I don’t want you to leave.Ever. And I sure as hell am not someone Celine or anyone else can take from you.”

She bites her lip. “I don’t know how to be this person. The one who stays. The one who believes.”

“You’re already her.” I kiss her tremulous lips, soft, easy, no tongue, just comfort. “You came back to this ranch, didn’t you? You stayed even when no one believed you could do it. You fought. You bled for this land. You love with your whole damn heart, Aria. That’s not weakness. That’s courage.”

A tear slips down her cheek.

I brush it away.