Page 51 of The Promise Of Rain

And then I fucking did.

I twisted my mouth to the side, wanting nothing more than to bury those memories deep, but if she had to remember, so should I.

One after the other, they flew at me, some so sweet they hurt my teeth, others a poison twisting my insides.

God help me, I remembered the messages she left on my phone.

And the last call when she didn’t bother.

My knuckles turned white on the steering wheel as I pulled up along the curb in downtown Sage Ridge and stopped.

She sighed in her sleep, bringing me back to the present.

Reaching over, I brushed the backs of my fingers over the softness of her cheek.“We’re here, baby.”

She stretched then curled toward me, blinking herself awake.

When her eyes met mine, she smiled shyly and reached out her hand to touch my face.“Hi, handsome.”

My breath caught in my throat as I stared back at her.Jenny smiling at me, foggy from sleep, the past the farthest thing from her mind.If I couldn’t have more, I’d stay right here in the cab of my truck, her soft blue eyes smiling into mine.

I’d give anything to stay in this moment.

It took a few seconds for the past to catch up to her.

I watched her smile fade as the skin around her eyes tightened.

She withdrew her hand and shifted in her seat, clearing her throat.“Are you ready to ski?”

“Do you want to get breakfast?”

“I could go for a muffin from The Beanery.Do you think it’s still here?”

“A muffin?”I asked.“Not a chocolate croissant?”

Her stomach grumbled.

She offered a half smile.“Maybe both.And two hot chocolates to go.”

“Done!”I declared.

She grabbed hold of the door handle, but I tugged her elbow.

Clearing my throat, I reached into the back and grabbed the bag from the Peppergrove Mall.Voice gruff, preparing for the worst, I admitted, “I got you something yesterday.”

Her eyes widened with surprise and wonder.Delicate fingers going to her chest, she clarified, “For me?”

I passed her the bag.“I hope you like it.”

She peered inside and froze.“You bought this.”

“If you don’t like it, I’ll get you something else.Hell, we can go together, and you can pick out your own.”

She didn’t move.“For me,” she clarified.

“Is it the colour?Buns and Biscuits is pink, your apartment is pink, it seemed like a good guess.”I was babbling like a fool.“And I’ve always loved you in pink.”

She extended one finger into the bag and stroked the material.Her voice small, she asked, “You bought this for me yesterday?”