Page 115 of Edge of Steele
“It’s just, I never should’ve broken up with you. I hope you’ve truly forgiven me, and we can make a go of it now. I can’t lose you again. Not to a grenade and not out of my life at all.”
“I have, and we can.”
He swept her into his arms and kissed her again. More gently this time, but his lips were insistent. Urgent. Needy.
She let herself enjoy it. Feel all the feelings. Deepen the kiss even more.
But he soon lifted his head. “You know I’d move to Portland in a heartbeat, right? But I can’t ask Avery to move right now.”
“It’s okay.” She ran a finger down the side of his face, enjoying her exploration of the plains and valleys up close. “We’ll have to figure out logistics, but if we have to date long-distance for a while, I’m okay with that. As long as we don’t give up on each other again.”
“Never,” he said emphatically. “Never.”
26
Labor Day.
On the long dock on the Maddox property, with Avery on one side and Ryleigh’s grandad and father on the other, Finn cranked in his fishing line. The bait skimmed across the glistening lake, cutting a path toward him. Summer was coming to a close and rain would soon set in again for the winter and spring, but the sun shone bright over Shadow Lake today. A glorious day for fishing.
A glorious day to be alive.
Finn turned to look across the beach at Ryleigh, who reclined on a lounger next to her sister Teagan. Ryleigh’s shorts revealed her creamy long legs and a tank top displayed her toned arms. He couldn’t see her eyes behind her dark glasses, but she still looked beautiful. And peaceful.
He knew the feeling. He hadn’t felt such peace, such calm, since he’d broken up with her. And today was the last day he would be in her company. Or her family’s company for that matter. As much as he enjoyed the afternoon on the Maddox property with all the Steeles who had commandeered Shadow Lake Survival’s property for a family reunion of sorts, he would rather grab her hand and find a secluded spot for just the two of them.
Then what? He’d tell her that he loved her and demand she move here to be with him?
Yeah, right. That wouldn’t work. The opposite. She’d hightail it out of there faster than the deer he’d seen bounding across the meadow on the drive in today.
She did still have Tobias’s account to manage. For now, but once he felt sure that the threats were over, and he’d rebuilt, Tobias would likely cancel the contract. He’d been upfront with her about that, so she knew what to expect. But for now, she would occasionally come to Shadow Lake.
Artie nudged him. “You gonna keep staring at her all day, son, or go talk to her?”
Finn flashed a surprised look at the older man. “Who says I want to talk to her?”
“Come on, now. Even little Avery can see you’re in love with my granddaughter.”
“He’s right. It’s gross.” Avery wrinkled her nose.
“It’s not the right time.” Finn pointed his attention to his fishing.
“But at the end of the picnic, Ryleigh’s gonna leave,” Avery said, her big eyes looking up at him. “And she’ll take everyone with her.”
“Yes.” The thought closed Finn’s throat and the word stuck like damp sawdust.
Avery frowned. “No fair. I want them to be our family.”
Artie rested his free hand on Avery’s shoulder. “I’m pretty sure I’m right when I speak for the family to say we’d like the same thing.”
Avery pouted. “So why can’t you do something about it?”
Finn pulled his line out of the water and knelt next to Avery. “Our lives are here in Shadow Lake, and Ryleigh’s is in Portland with her family and work. We’ve talked about it, and we can’t figure things out just now. Maybe in the future.”
“It’s easy. We can move there.” Avery challenged him with a sharp look.
Finn had to fight to keep his mouth from falling open. He’d never expected this from her, and he didn’t know if it was just a passing thought, if she’d get over it, or if she really wanted to move. “But you love your house here.”
“I know, but isn’t loving people more important?”
