Ty glanced down at the woman snuggled beside him and smiled. The glint of the diamond on her ring finger still gave him a jolt of excitement. One year later they were both happy, healthy, and prepping for a small wedding in the church she’d grown up in. It’d been a long road for them. Cutting Traci out of her life when she wasn’t sober had turned out to be a long painful process. It broke Maci’s heart. Every t
ime he’d been there to pick up the pieces, burning to shake some sense into the woman. When she finally got the picture Maci had been pushed past her limits, the calls, surprise visits, and guilt trips tapered off. He kept hoping she’d get her act together, but neither of them were holding their breath. Craig, slimy bastard that he was, had backed off. Like a typical bully, he’d tucked tail and fallen under the radar when someone who could stand toe to toe stepped in. It amused Ty every time Craig averted his eyes when they came across one another in a public place. Normally he’d never be so petty, but the man had put Maci through hell.
“You’re staring holes into me. What’s up?”
“Can’t I admire my fiancée?”
Maci laughed. “Well, if you insist.”
Holding her tighter he let the swaying motion of the hammock restore his peace as the right orange orb turned the sky into a menagerie of pinks and peaches, and night took over.
“I love you, Maci.”
“I love you, Ty.”
The rhythmic back and forth of the hammock lulled him to sleep. Tomorrow he’d be married to the woman who had given him a second chance at happiness. The road here had been rocky. They’d both been hurt, and she had distrust for men in general. But the benefits were well worth it.
****
Standing at the end of the runner with her heart pounding in her chest, all Maci could see was Ty. He’d taken her from non-committal to honest woman, all by being himself. The wedding march began to play, and she strode down the aisle, confident in her decision. Some said she was too young, too wild, to marry Ty, but she knew another man would never do. She’d been on the fence when he moved in, antsy, and spoiling for a reason to end everything.
She could almost see the day, six months prior, when she’d last tried to end it.
****
Ty stumbled in at the end of a hard shift, and she narrowed her eyes at the sight of him. Smudges of dirt marred his tan face, and sweat covered every inch of his muscled body, giving off the distinctive musk she’d come to associate with him alone. Her stomach clenched, and her center grew wet. She hated it. Needing a man had never been in her plans. Licking her lips she leaned back against the counter.
“Hey, babe, are you okay?” His forehead wrinkled. “Did you get enough sleep?”
“I don’t think this is working.”
“Wait, what?” He shook his head. “Where is this coming from?”
“Me. I miss my space, and being able to make my own decisions without consulting you.”
“Maci.” He dropped his lunch pail by the door and stalked toward her. “When have you ever consulted me about anything? Other than me moving in, which was a mutual decision.”
She ran a hand through her hair and ignored the ache in the pit of her stomach. “Plenty.”
He placed his hands on either side of her body trapping her. “Name one.”
“I don’t have to do anything!”
“Please, don’t so this.”
“Do what?”
“Pull away when we’re so close to having everything.” He burrowed his face into her neck. “If you really want me to go because you don’t think it’s working out. I’ll move back into a hotel for a while. But I refuse to give up on us.”
“Why?” Her voice shook as she whispered.
“Because I love you, and I know you love me. I’d sooner tear my heart out than end this for good.”
Her chest heaved as the air became thick and heavy. She pushed his chest, and he lost his balance, allowing her room to run for the front door. It was too much. Placing her heart in his hands went against everything she’d promised herself. Taking the stairs two at a time she ran for the field of wild flowers a mile up the road, where she liked to go to think. Her vision blurred as she warred with herself. He’d never lied, strayed, or let her push him away, no matter how hard she tried. What more could she ask for?
Strong arms wrapped around her, and she was engulfed in his scent. “I told you, I’m not letting you go, Maci.”
Sobs broke free as she let go of the past and moved forward. This man was her future, her heart and safe harbor. She’d seen enough bad to know the difference. She’d never been a fool, and letting him go would be the biggest mistake she‘d ever make.