Stunned, she drew back to stare at him. “Oh my God, West. I can’t believe you did all this. How? Why?”
“Come on, now. I am a badge-carrying member of the Bluelick Police Department. I know how to track down a suspect. I also got some help from Kenny and Dobie. You turned Gibson over to me and asked me to do what’s right, and that’s what I’ve done.”
The moisture burning her eyes had nothing to do with the rain. Deep gratitude, yes, but also… “I’m so ashamed to have dragged you into my mess.”
He hunkered down so they were face to face. “The only person I’m ashamed of is me, for making you feel like you couldn’t confide in me, for pushing you away for so long because I wanted you, and I didn’t want to want you.” Straightening, he pulled her close again. Kissed her forehead. “But over time, that changed. I changed.”
Changed? The word dampened her world just as effectively as the rain, causing the little flame of hope in her heart to sputter. He didn’t want her anymore? His honesty hurt, but she understood. Because she loved him, she needed him to know she understood.
She eased away. “I don’t think things through. I make bad choices. I’m too reckless.”
Dark brows furrowed over searching eyes. Then he closed them and shook his head. “I’m saying this all wrong.” His gaze locked on hers and held steady. “I still want you. That’s never going to change. I want your impulsive soul. Your wide-open heart. I want all of you, forever. I love you, Roxy. For better or worse, rich or poor, sickness or health. I’m in. No matter what that means. I know you’ve got hopes and dreams. I know there’s wanderlust in your blood. You want to go to Hollywood and chase a star? Let’s go. Prefer playing clubs in Nashville? Fine by me. Whatever you need, we’ll work it out. Maybe that makes me the reckless one, but I think this particular moment proves I like getting wet and reckless with you.”
That little sputter of hope in her heart caught fire and burned bright, despite the rain pouring down. She framed his face with her hands. “I don’t want to go anywhere. I feel like I’ve been searching for home my whole life, and I’ve finally found it, with you. You’re my home, Officer Donovan, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to stay forever.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “Roxanne Belle Goodhart, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
She tipped her face up and kissed him—long, soft, slow—and reveled in the heat and power of his response. While his lips claimed hers, her mama’s words wafted through her mind: Baby girl, be careful who you kiss. A kiss has the power to unmoor your heart and set sail with your soul. It can change everything.
Yes, it can, Mama. The right kiss also had the power to bring heart and soul home.
West wrapped his free arm around her waist and pulled her closer. She sank her fingers into his wet hair, and—
A horn blared behind her, causing them both to start. “Hey, if you two are about done with this Nicholas Sparks moment, maybe I could drive y’all home?”
West smiled down at her. “What do you say, Roxy? Are you ready?”
She linked her fingers with his. “Let’s go home.”
Epilogue
Six Months Later
“Good show tonight.”
West’s comment drew Roxy out of her silent songwriting. She shifted in the passenger seat and looked at him. In the dim interior of his pickup, he was a strong, handsome profile behind the wheel. Strong and handsome enough to inspire little sparks of lust in her spark-prone zones. “Thanks. I’m glad you made it back from Richmond in time to come by Rawley’s and catch the second set. The new songs went over well, I think.”
He nodded, sent her a half-smile that raised the temperature on those sparks another degree. “I think so, too. Especially the slow one, judging by the number of couples making out on the dance floor.”
She returned his smile. “Yeah, well, I’m glad people were feeling it, but I think you get that kind of thing when you play a show on Valentine’s Day evening.”
“Maybe. It’s a pretty night. Want to take a drive before we head home?”
A drive? She had some V-Day plans of her own for them, but…it was a pretty night. The kind of crisp, clear winter evening where the sky looked like a drape of black silk over which stars gleamed like tiny, precious gems. And though it was cold outside, it was cozy in the cab of his truck, with the soft shadows and the radio playing low. “Sure.”
“Great.” He said it in a way that sort of sounded as if he’d been holding his breath for her answer, but he simply took a left. His fingers unconsciously tapped out a beat on the wheel.
The small release of pent-up energy from her normally still, self-contained lawman caught her eye. Was West nervous? She couldn’t fathom why he would be, but there was some kind of vibe coming off him. “Everything went okay in Richmond?”
“Huh? Oh, yep. The new recruits look competent. I think they’ll click with the rest of our team.”
He took another left, steering them onto Route 9. Out of town? She turned to him again, but his almost suspiciously neutral expression revealed nothing. “Um…where are we going?”
“Not far. Just a drive.” He shot her the smile again.
Weird. Sam Hunt
