“It was too long,” Trace said looking down into Marissa’s dark eyes. “I did bring you something’s though,” he added grabbing a large black suitcase from the turntable.
“You didn’t need to bring anything,” Marissa said heading for the exit and the car park on the other side, only to stop at Trace’s chuckle.
“Trust me, I didn’t have any choice,” the cowboy said stepping out into the frigid wind of the city. “Everyone had something for you, and you try saying no to Mrs. Wade, Phil, or even Daisy,” he finished shaking his head.
Marissa’s laugh was like an electric charge straight to his heart, and he drank it in like a man dying of thirst. It felt so right being here with her, feeling her hand in his as they walked to the car park.
A harsh gust of wind blew through the walkway, and Trace released her hand wrapping an arm around her protectively. He knew he would have a hard time leaving her again at the end of the week, but he wouldn’t give up the days he had with her now.
Perhaps when this fake marriage came to an end he would have to say goodbye to Marissa, but he knew that he would forever keep the beautiful woman next to him in his heart. If only she could see the love the Father had for her, more than he could ever match no matter how he tried.
“Is it a long drive?” Trace asked loading his suitcase in the trunk of Marissa’s car and moving around to the passenger door.
“Not too far cowboy,” Marissa replied offering a bright smile. “I have to warn you though my apartment is tiny.”
“Good thing you’re only getting me and not Michelle and Kade then,” Trace teased closing the door and looking at Marissa who smiled at him.
Leaning over he placed a kiss on her cheek trying to let her know how much he cared.
Marissa felt her breath freeze in her throat as Trace brushed his lips against her cheek.
Could he care too?
Chapter 19
The short drive out of the city was filled with intermittent bursts of conversation about work and travel, but neither Trace nor Marissa seemed to know what to talk about.
Marissa felt an odd tension between them and tears threatened once more until Trace reached over touching her shoulder.
“It’s like coming home to a place I’ve never been,” he said looking around him. “I’m sorry if it feels odd.”
Marissa smiled feeling herself relax. “I don’t know what to say,” she admitted. “We talk every day, but now that you’re here, I don’t know what to do.”
“I know what you mean,” Trace said. “I think we both have a lot of questions and thoughts we need to work out.”
Marissa nodded as she turned down a road leading out of the city.
“Give it time,” Trace said. “We have all week.”
Marissa was surprised at how much better she felt at the cowboy’s words, and she felt the familiar effect of his soothing voice on her system.
“You weren’t kidding when you said tiny,” Trace joked as they walked up the two flights of stairs to her apartment, which consisted of a combined kitchen, dining, living area, with a modest bedroom and bathroom tacked on to the back.
“It works,” Marissa said, looking around the comfortable space with fresh eyes. “I don’t need much.”
Trace smiled following her to the bedroom where he placed luggage. “How about I take you out to dinner?” Trace asked. “You can show me around.”
Marissa smiled. It would be nice to go out and be seen with her handsome cowboy, if only he were hers to keep. Over the past few months and weeks, she had grown to know Trace in a way she didn’t think she had ever known anyone else.
He wore his heart on his sleeve and though he wasn’t a pushover, he had an easy manner about him that gave her confidence in who he was.
“There’s a little diner down the street,” Marissa said. “It serves a wicked pizza, and everything else is good too.”
Trace smiled reaching out to push a lock of her dark hair behind her ear. How was he supposed to give up the connection to this woman that had developed when this fake marriage was over?
“You look great you know?” Trace said as they made their way down the street as bright stars began to appear in the sky.
“You don’t look too bad yourself,” Marissa said laughing as he reached over and took her hand again. It seemed so natural to walk down the street with Trace holding her hand as if he belonged right there next to her.
“So are you sure you want me to meet your parents?” Trace asked a moment later as he pulled open the door to the eatery.
“Yes and don’t worry about them. Dad will be happy to see you, and even if Mom does think I’m being ridiculous, she won’t be too rough on you,” her soft giggles made Trace relax a little.
“It isn’t every day your fake husband meets your real parents you know,” he teased.
The restaurant was busy on a Friday night, but Trace and Marissa didn’t have to wait long for a table, and soon they were seated at a tiny table with a basket of breadsticks and drinks.
“So what would you like to do while you’re here?” Marissa asked, breaking off a piece of bread and dunking it in the sauce. “There are some great museums, several interesting buildings, and even a nice park.”
“I hadn’t thought about it,” Trace said staring at the warm breadstick in his hand. “I just wanted to see you,” he finished not meeting her eyes.
Marissa’s heart somersaulted in her chest, and she looked up trying to catch his eye. Could she mean something to him? Had the hours of phone conversations, silly texts, and even lengthy emails have made him
