Rescued Love (Sweetwater Valley #7)

CHAPTER 14

KIMBALL

Have you ever felt like you’re floating through life, and not in a bad way? That’s what the last few days have felt like. It’s been a dream, one I hope I never wake up from, knowing it will happen. Eventually.

I’ve done a pretty good job of pushing that reality away. The only time I let it seep into my consciousness is when I’m alone. I certainly don’t want to waste any of the time I have with Nathan by dreading what comes next.

He hasn’t mentioned leaving. I haven’t brought it up.

It’s like a silent war we’re waging.

I know he sometimes thinks about it. He’ll get this contemplative look on his face as he stares at me, tilting his head like he’s working through all the problems of the universe. It’s kind of adorable in spite of it making my heart ache.

Even though I desperately want to know what he’s thinking about, I haven’t plucked up the courage to ask him.

What if he’s thinking about whatever is waiting for him when he goes home? He’s shared with me that the only thing filling his life there was his job, but I also know it matters to him. It should; he worked hard to get to where he is.

I tighten my grip around Nathan’s waist as he holds the door open to The Goose and we head inside. I can feel eyes on us, and I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing. I’ve already heard the murmurs around town. It hasn’t escaped anyone’s notice that the newest arrival to Sweetwater Valley and I have been spending time together.

I’ve even had a few people stop in at the rescue, trying to get the inside scoop. Joke’s on them though because I was able to sweet talk more than one of them into adopting one of our animals. It’s fair to say there are a few more people on their way to being obsessed cat ladies and I’m here for it.

“I thought you normally meet up with Hailey on Saturday nights,” Nathan leans down and whispers his open-ended question in my ear.

I grin at him and explain, “Normally, but Wesley is on shift Sunday. When that happens, we have to plan ahead because he won’t drink anything, even one beer, if it’s too close to his shift.”

“Good man,” he mutters.

I can’t help but agree. The bar is busy enough on Friday night anyway. When I see Hailey and Wesley at a table, I wave at them. Nathan starts to lead me their way, but I veer off and go toward the bar.

“You go sit down, I’ll get your drink, Kitten,” he insists.

“Nope,” I tell him with a shake of my head, “I lost a bet to Hailey. First round is on me.”

Nathan arches an eyebrow in question and my face heats up under his perusal. I clear my throat and mumble under my breath, “It was a bet about you.”

I’m not sure whether he hears me or not when he prods, “I’m sorry, what? It’s kind of loud in here and I couldn’t hear you.”

“Fine,” I sigh and roll my eyes. “It was a bet about you.” His eyes widen and I’m quick to add, “It’s nothing bad, I promise. The other day when she called me, after you spent the night,” I bite my lip and he nods slowly, his eyes turning lustful, “she said you’d be waiting for me again when I got home.”

“You didn’t think I’d be there?” There’s a sliver of hurt in his voice as his eyebrows pull together.

“It’s not that. I wanted you to be there. We just, hadn’t, you know, made solid plans or anything,” I explain. “When she said that first round was on me if you were there waiting for me, it’s not like I bet against you. I was,” I pause trying to find the right word, “hopeful you’d be there.”

He chuckles and shakes his head while wrapping an arm around my shoulders and tucking me into his side. “I should have made plans with you. That day I was worried about whether it would be too much. I didn’t want to push you, but I also wanted to see you.” His voice lowers as he moves closer, his lips brushing my ear as he admits, “I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day, Kimball. I’m finding it to be a chronic problem.”

“Oh? Is it? Do you need to see a specialist for that problem?”

His soft chuckle shoots right through me. “Yeah,” he agrees, “just you. Just need to see you and it seems I’m cured.”

I melt against him, soaking up his strength and warmth. When someone clears their throat on the other side of the bar, I look up to find Dixon grinning from ear to ear as his eyes bounce back and forth between us.

He practically fucking crows, “I knew it.” He leans over the bar slightly. “I wasn’t sure if the rumors going around town were true or not, but I was hoping they were.”

Nathan pipes up, “Rumors?”

I sigh and Dixon chuckles. “Small towns, man. Not much stays a secret around here for long. People like to talk,” he holds his hands up, “normally not in a bad way.”

“Talk or put their noses in everyone’s business,” I lob his direction.

He scratches jaw like he’s thinking about it for a moment before shrugging. “Both?”

“Definitely both,” I agree and grin.

My belly knots because maybe Nathan doesn’t like people talking about him. It’s not like in the city where there’s a certain level of anonymity. We know each other here and, for the majority of us, we’ve lived around each other for our entire lives.

Some people find that comforting. I could also imagine that some people would find it invasive and stifling.

I hazard a glance up at Nathan to find him relaxed and seemingly not at all bothered about being talked about. When he looks down at me, he winks before kissing my forehead.

Oh. Okay. I guess we’re really doing this.

“You gotta know, that’ll get people talking even more,” I tell him out of the corner of my mouth.

“Good,” he grunts.

Dixon chuckles as he places two beers and two glasses in front of us. When I go to grab my cash out of my back pocket, Nathan beats me to it and pulls out his wallet.

“I got it,” I tell him, but he just shakes his head.

“Don’t think so, Kitten.” When he pulls his card out, he hands it to Dixon and smiles. “Can I start a tab?”

“You got it. I’ll keep this on file for your tab. Just come and cash out whenever you’re ready.” Dixon takes his card and taps the bar twice before heading toward the register.

Nathan grabs the two beers, and I scoop up the drinks. “It was my bet,” I remind him while pouting slightly.

“And you’re my girl. I’m paying,” his voice is firm without any room for argument.

I freeze in place and my mouth falls open in surprise. Did he just say what I think he said? I’m his girl?

When he realizes that I’m no longer at his side, he turns around with worried eyes. It takes him two strides to close the distance between us and stands so close that our toes are touching. His eyes roam over my face as if something drastic or horrific could have happened in the span of a few seconds.

“What’s wrong?”

The question tumbles from my mouth without even realizing it, “I’m your girl?”

He narrows his eyes slightly. “You didn’t know?”

“I mean,” I start and then huff out a breath before my voice goes breathy, “I was hopeful.”

Nathan makes a humming sound and steps right up to me, invading my personal space in a way that would make me feel uncomfortable if it were anyone else. Even though the bar is pretty full, everyone fades away except for the man in front of me.

“I didn’t want to move too fast, Kitten, but I’ve known you’re mine since I saw you.” He winces slightly. “I just couldn’t admit it to myself at first or see past my own fears which had nothing to do with you and everything to do with my job and a jaded view of the world.”

“Wow,” I breathe out.

“Yeah,” he smirks, “wow.”

He winks at me before nodding toward where Hailey and Wesley are waiting, their faces matching masks of interest as their eyes dart back and forth between Nathan and me. I grin at them and wink at my best friend whose shoulders relax as a wide grin takes over her face.

She knew how I felt before I did and was just waiting for me to catch up. I’m sure it helps that she already experienced falling for her other half.

As we move their direction, I inform him, “If I’m your girl then you’re my man.”

His steps stutter slightly before he growls, “Damn fucking right I am.”

My heart starts to gallop in my chest with his declaration. Mine. He’s mine.

When we sit down, Hailey and Wesley’s eyes are still moving between the two of us and they’re wearing expectant faces. As we’re passing out the drinks, I lean forward and stage whisper, “Apparently, I’m his girl.”

“And I’m her man,” Nathan adds on, his chest puffed up with pride.

Wesley barks out a laugh before picking up his beer and clinking it against Nathan’s. “No offense, if you were trying to keep that shit quiet or something, but it was obvious.”

My head snaps his direction, and I squeak, “What?”

Wesley smirks and shrugs one shoulder. “I knew there was something between you last weekend when Nathan showed up here.”

I look at my friend, my gaze like a laser while I wonder if she mentioned anything to Wesley about what went down when we first met. She gives me a subtle shake of her head and I relax.

“I think you’re in the wrong line of work then,” I tease Wesley who raises an eyebrow in question. “You should have been a fortune teller.”

Hailey giggles and points to her man. “Can you imagine him dressed in robes with a turban and a crystal ball in front of him?” She pantomimes moving her hands over an imaginary crystal ball like she’s trying to see into the future. “I see you’ll have a very long life. And it’s almost time to change the batteries in your fire detectors.”

Wesley wraps an arm around her shoulders and pulls her against his side, kissing her head while chuckling. “You joke, but fire safety is very important. Do you know how many people would rather just listen to their fire detectors beep without changing the battery?” He shivers. “That’s dangerous shit, not to mention annoying as fuck.”

Hailey shoots me a pointed look that screams ‘see what I have to put up with?’ and I devolve into a fit of laughter. The best part is, Wesley isn’t even trying to be funny. I get it, as a firefighter he sees people on the worst day of their lives and his job is fraught with danger. If I were in his shoes, I’m sure I’d be preaching about fire safety to anyone who would give me five minutes to listen.

My best friend’s eyes turn toward Nathan and harden slightly. Uh oh. I brace myself for her to threaten him in the name of my honor.

It wouldn’t be the first time, and I love her for her fierceness when it comes to those she loves.

“Nathan,” her voice is soft, “maybe it’s none of my business, but I don’t want to see my best friend get hurt. What happens when you have to leave and go back to work?”

I gasp and give her a sharp look, but she ignores me and doesn’t look my way. “Hailey,” I scold her, knowing this is not the time or the place.

Why can’t I bask in the glow of this moment without having to think of the next one?

Before I can say anything else, Nathan’s hand moves to my thigh and gives a squeeze. When I look at him, it’s to meet his love filled gaze. I can only hope he’s not about to break my heart right here and now, only moments after causing it to swell with joy.

He turns toward Hailey, his voice even and sure, “I’ve been thinking a lot about my life in the city since I arrived here.” He gives a sheepish smile and rubs the back of his neck. “If I’m being honest, I’ve been thinking about my path and my place there for a lot longer. I’ve felt out of place and unfulfilled for a while. I didn’t understand why until I was forced to take some time off and was able to finally step back.”

He shakes his head and huffs out a breath. My heart starts to pound in my chest, but not out of fear, out of pain for him. For a moment, just a second in time, he looks so fucking lost. I cover the hand he has resting on my thigh and squeeze in support, in commiseration, in love.

“I’m not happy there,” he admits. “And that’s not easy to say because I’ve devoted so much time and effort into becoming what I thought I was supposed to become. Either I’m too old to be having a crisis of self or too young to be having a midlife crisis; whichever way you want to look at it, but the bottom line is that it’s not the life I want to live.”

My heart soars. He hasn’t said that he’s staying, but the fact that he’s thinking about not going back, about not continuing down the path he’s set for himself there is enough. For now.

“I’m not sure exactly what the future holds,” he looks at me and adds, “yet, but I do know I’m really fucking happy I came to visit my grandpa.”

I turn my face upward and grin at him. Before I know what’s happening, he’s kissing me, instantly deepening it. The sound of those around us become a tapestry of static and movement, not at all registering as my man takes my mouth the way he needs.

He didn’t have to share all of that, least of all with two people he doesn’t know all that well, but I know he did it for me. It was to ease my best friend’s fears for me, and mine at the same time.

When we pull apart and turn toward the couple on the other side of the table, Hailey is beaming at us and clapping her hands together. I stick my tongue out at her which makes Nathan chuckle next to me.

“As long as you don’t think you’ll be carting my bestie off somewhere, then I’m good.”

“Never,” Nathan growls and my heart sinks.

He wouldn’t want me to go with him if he was leaving? Fuck, these ups and downs are a bitch.

Before I can get too deep in my morose thoughts, he gives my thigh a squeeze. “The rescue, her passion, is here. She does so much good for this county, and the people and animals in it, I would never take her away from that. It would dim her light and that would be a fucking travesty.”

Oh. My. Heart.

Hailey’s eyes are soft as she looks at my man and gives a nod of approval. Yeah, he just won my best friend over, not that she wasn’t already there because he’s been making me happy for days. But that?

Him showing that he knows and understands me and wants to support me?

Talk about a swoony moment.

I tilt my head and rest it on Nathan’s shoulder as we fall into conversation. It’s light and free of drama. Nathan tries to get to know my best friend and the man she’s fallen in love with. It’s beautiful to watch.

By the end of the night, my cheeks hurt with how big I’ve been smiling. This is perfect.

This is everything I’ve ever wanted.

Am I a little afraid that it’ll disappear or be taken away from me? Yes, and I’m not going to lie about it.

But I’m trying to embrace what I have right now, the same way I hold dear the moments I get with the animals at the rescue, no matter how fleeting or long that time is.

Nathan doesn’t stop touching me all night and I’m constantly turned on. It’s frustrating, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

When Hailey yawns one too many times, Wesley stands up, the one beer he’s had still half finished on the table in front of him, my man’s beer the same. “I think it’s time for bed, you’ve had a long day,” his voice is gentle and coaxing.

Hailey huffs and narrows her eyes before insisting, “I’m fine.”

I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing. She’s clearly fading fast. I can’t blame her; she worked today, and I know how much energy she puts into her classroom.

I yawn and give Nathan a sleepy smile, not entirely fake, but not entirely real either. “I’m pretty tired myself,” I tell him.

Nathan’s brown eyes dance with amusement, knowing exactly what I’m doing. When I look at Hailey, her eyes are narrowed and full of accusation. “No one likes fibbers, Kimball,” she primly informs me before grinning, “but I am tired.” She holds her hand out for Wesley and dramatically commands, “Take me far from this place, my firefighter. I need rescuing.”

Wesley snickers and shakes his head, but helps his woman stand. Nathan is up and does the same for me. We walk out together, Hailey stopping me and giving me a big hug, one of those amazing hugs that only a best friend can give, once we step outside.

“He’s perfect for you, Kimball,” she whispers. “You hold tight and let yourself trust,” she pauses and pulls back and meets my eyes, “and fall. He’ll catch you.”

I swallow hard and nod, knowing she’s right.

When I turn toward Nathan, I can see the softness in his eyes even when there’s only moonlight illuminating him. He holds his hand out and I take it, readily.

I have a feeling that, if everything works out the way I hope it does, I’ll be accepting his affection, his love, his comfort, for the rest of my life.

I can only send up a little wish that he really does feel like he can find a new path, a better path for him, right here in Sweetwater Valley. I don’t want to lose him; I don’t think my heart could take it.

Sure, if that were to happen, I’d have my best friend and the rescue to keep me together. But would it be enough after experiencing what love, yes love, can feel like?

I let those thoughts go as Nathan leads me to his grandpa’s truck and helps me into the passenger seat. I’m not going to worry about what could go wrong tonight, not when I have a man to celebrate with and show just how much it means to me that he sees me as his.