My eyes snapped over to Walker who wore a huge grin on his face.
Clearing her throat, Taylor asked, “Wh-what are you doing here?”
I couldn’t help but look her over quickly. She looked tired. Focusing back on her beautiful green eyes, I smiled. “Walker wants to breed a horse and asked me to drive along with him. What are you doing here?”
“Taylor works for us now.”
My head snapped over to look at Lauren. “Here?”
She nodded her head and wiggled her eyebrows. “She’s even going to be staying in the hunter’s cabin . . . isn’t she, Daddy?” Lauren asked as she turned to her very confused father.
All eyes went to Scott. “Um . . . yes she is, but do the two of you know each other?”
“Yes,” Taylor said sharply.
Colt clapped his hands together causing both Taylor and I to jump. “So, let’s look at that horse and let Taylor and Jase catch up, shall we.”
With a tip of my hat, I silently thanked Colt and stole a look at Walker. His eyes widened and he silently pleaded for me to talk to Taylor.
“I think I’ll head in with them in case Walker has any questions,” Lauren said.
Taylor reached out to grab Lauren. “Wait!” Lauren stopped and leaned in to whisper something to Taylor. I couldn’t help but notice how hard Taylor was breathing, and I wanted more than anything to pull her into my arms and beg her to start over.
With a sincere smile directed toward me, Lauren turned and headed into the barn.
Taylor pushed her long brown hair behind her ear and peeked up at me. “I . . . I’ve been wanting to . . . I mean.” Sighing, she turned her head away from me.
My heart couldn’t have been beating any harder than it was at that point. I knew deep in my heart Taylor deserved so much better than me, but I was tired of caring. I loved her and wanted her so damn much. “You look beautiful, Taylor.”
She slowly shook her head while pressing her lips together. I knew she was about to get upset. Walking up to her, I wrapped her in my arms and held her as her shoulders shook with sobs.
“I’m so sorry for hurting you, Taylor. I’d give anything to go back to that day in Paris and change it. I pray to God you believe me.”
Burying her face into my chest, she nodded. I moved my body and held her to my side as we walked over toward a gazebo. Stopping, I motioned for her to sit down.
The moment she looked into my eyes, I felt my stomach drop. She looked emotionally drained and her eyes were filled with such sadness. “I was so angry and I wanted you to hurt like you hurt me. I didn’t really want yo
u to leave and I didn’t mean to . . .” Her eyes snapped shut as she slumped over and cried harder.
I knew she was thinking about the night she spent with that asshole. I’d love to punch his face. If I ever saw him again I probably would.
“We both did enough hurting of each other to last a lifetime . . . me especially to you, sweetness. Can’t we just forget all of that and start over? I mean really start over and do all of this right. I feel like fate is giving us a second chance.”
She sniffled and wiped her tears away. “What do you mean?”
With a grin, I looked around before turning back to her. “Are you really working here?”
Her expression softened as she nodded her head. “I am. And I guess I’ll be living here too. It makes sense since my parents live in Fredericksburg.”
Is this really happening? Was Taylor going to be living less than thirty minutes from me? My heart beat rapidly in my chest at the thought. I’d never felt so happy in my life.
“Please tell me I’m not dreaming because there is no way fate would be so cruel.”
With a giggle, she shook her head. “Fate. Lauren was just talking about how fate always seems to step in where we’re concerned.”
A single tear rolled slowly down her cheek.
Lifting my hand, I wiped the wetness away and brushed my thumb across her skin. “I love you, Taylor. I’ve always loved you and hope you know that is why I acted so fucking crazy.”