Serious Cowboy (Cowboys of Duncan Ranch #2)

Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

Once they broke their kiss—after Aaron thought he had sufficiently communicated the depth of his apology nonverbally—Joy had fallen all over herself to explain.

“It’s just that I don’t make a habit of talking about him. And if he’s still alive, clearly he’s no longer interested in me or Kara. And?—”

He cut her off with another kiss. It might not be as good a form of communication as he wished, but he liked it, anyway.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said, filtering fleeting kisses to her lips, her nose, her lips, her cheeks, and her lips. As shocked as he was by Joy’s marriage revelation, the more he processed what she told him, the more it made sense that she’d put off a divorce. After that amount of time, what were the chances that he was coming back, no matter his status?

“I’ve started the process to file for divorce. I won’t stop until it’s done. I wouldn’t be with him now even if he appeared from out of nowhere and said he wanted me. That ship sailed a long time ago.”

Aaron would feel better still if he could punch the guy, but he doubted he’d get the chance. He couldn’t imagine a scenario where the guy would return. If he was even alive. Both Joy and her daughter deserved a man in their lives who would always be there when they needed him.

And obviously, Wayne Randall wasn’t that guy.

Besides, Joy becoming open and honest was worth its weight in gold. As long as they talked they could make progress together. And progress with Joy was all he wanted to make.

After chatting for a couple of hours, he went home feeling like something fundamental in their relationship had shifted. He found it so comforting, so satisfying to know that all the secrets Joy had been keeping out of shame or fear were now revealed. They could be plain with one another now and going forward, and since she seemed to be feeling this time what she hadn’t the last time, he had high hopes for a real future as a couple.

He was at work investigating a weird hole in some fencing along the barn when he received a text from Joy. Since it was two hours prior to his lunch, he took a minute to check what she’d sent.

Joy: Bad news. Kara was sent home early for some sort of teacher workday and when she got there, the floor was wet. I’m here now, and it looks like a plumbing leak. The landlord suggested we stay elsewhere until they’ve dealt with it.

Aaron: Anything I can do?

Joy: No. Unless you know a lot about plumbing.

He didn’t. Not really. Aaron knew some basics but even that was fairly limited.

Aaron: I suggest letting the experts crawl under there and do their thing.

Joy: Lol. That’s the plan. Looks like we’ll be at my parents’ place for a day or two.

Aaron: Want me to pick you up there tomorrow for our dinner date?

Joy: Do we have a dinner date tomorrow? *grin*

Aaron really did grin.

Aaron: Yeah, we do. Unless there’s something you’re not telling me.

Joy: We do. Same time?

Aaron: You bet. I’ll be there.

Their Saturday date was memorable. One reason why was because he and Joy connected in a way they hadn’t up until then. They went to a fall crafts festival the next town over, then ate at somewhere Joy hadn’t yet tried, the Three Sisters Barbecue Excellence.

“I could eat my weight in this brisket,” he swore to her.

She raised her eyebrows at him. “That’s an awfully big brag. You really think it’s that good.”

“I do.”

“Well, I’ll be the judge of that.”

She was, and based on the groan she released, she could eat her body weight in it, too.

Once back at the Taylor household, he stood with her out on the porch. He wasn’t in a hurry to go inside. Being out here brought back all sorts of memories from their high school days. Looping his arms around her he held her like he had then, as well, relishing his ability to be this close to her.

After they’d clung to each other for what felt like not long enough, he leaned away and looked at her with a smile. He nuzzled her nose with his, then ever so slowly, he went in for a kiss.

And that’s when the porch light abruptly came on. Even though he and Joy were grown people with lives and jobs, the teenager in him still jolted a bit from being put in a sudden spotlight.

“Geez. My mom. I can’t believe she did that. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. It’s kind of cute. And a little nostalgic.” He pulled her to him again and breathed in her scent.

Joy giggled, and he delighted in the sound. In the time since he’d started dating her again, Joy had begun to fill out. Her bare arms no longer seemed bony and her cheekbones, while still high and regal, were no longer gaunt. The woman in his arms right now felt healthy and perfect.

Too much worry and stress for far too long had taken a heavy toll on her body. He was glad have helped her come back to herself.

He was completely lost. Lost in her kiss. Lost in her arms. Lost in her, period.

And as long as he could breathe in her scent—bubble gum, like when they were young—feel her warmth against him, he knew he could be content. It helped, too, that he knew what was going on with Joy. He was willing to go at whatever pace she’d like, even if in the back of his mind, he vividly remembered the direction their relationship had gone the last time.

Not that he wanted to think about that right now.

It wouldn’t be like that this time around. Joy was divorcing the dirtbag she married, and once she was legally free, they could move forward together.

He felt optimistic about his chances with Joy, especially right now. He finally released her so she could go inside, though he did so reluctantly. He waved to her once back behind his steering wheel and puttered through town and onto his bumpy driveway. Only once he pulled up in front of his own house did this niggling concern pop back up for him.

It was like an itch he couldn’t scratch or a burning along his scalp he couldn’t seem to reach. He hated to think it was a warning going off or some sort of red flag blowing in the wind, but he couldn’t seem to free himself of the feeling.

Heading inside, he busied himself with folding the laundry he’d been neglecting and getting ready for bed. But even while brushing his teeth and taking a shower, that annoying feeling wouldn’t go away. He didn’t know why. But ultimately, he decided to ignore the feeling.

This was Joy, the woman he’d always loved, and his dream come true. This time nothing would thwart them. Nothing would rear its ugly head.

They would work out how to become closer and closer. The seriousness he’d always avoided with every other woman he’d dated he actually welcomed when it came to Joy. His original feelings for her were still there—had been there all along—even though the dynamics of dating Joy would have to change to include Kara.

But she was a cool kid. He could imagine them combining into this single, happy family unit eventually, after all Joy’s legal entanglements had gone through whatever rigmarole it would take to work themselves out.

It could happen this time. He could be with her now and five years from now. He could be with Joy for a lifetime.

And he would.