Page 107 of Cautious Love

Ledger grabs my wrist and yanks me into his chest, spreading his fingers at the base of my spine. He searches my eyes for a fewseconds that feel like hours — hours I would happily live in their infinite capacity.

Then his mouth claims my own in a tender kiss abundant with a longing I’ve never known. It feels like he’s telling me so much without a single word.

Our foreheads rest together.

“You look beautiful, Shiloh. You always do,” he rasps.

I blink, processing his words.

“Even in my diner dress?” I ask him.

He huffs and pecks my lips. “I love that diner dress.”

“You do?” I ask him in utter disbelief because I hate that dress, but at least I don’t have to pick out clothes every morning. It makes things a little easier.

He grins and nods. “I swear you wear it just to mess with me.”

I smile and shake my head, brushing the tip of his nose in the process. “I wish that were the only reason I wore it,” I whisper.

He grins. “Are you ready to go?”

“Are you sure this is okay? Maybe it’s too low-cut.”

He looks down, trailing his finger over my chest, and the bolo tie. It’s not low-cut, but some might think it is.

“I like it. You’re missing a hat.”

“I don’t have an adult size hat. Dad got me one when I was little.”

“Maybe it’s time we change that,” he says.

I snort. “Not every citizen of Paxton needs a cowboy hat.”

He grins. “No, but I think my wife does.”

“Your wife, huh?”

“Yeah, my wife. Grab your jacket. Let’s go. If we’re late, Mama will be mad.”

“I’m already messing this up!” I shriek.

He huffs. “Trust me, Shy, the blame is all on me, and I don’t regret it for a second,” he says and kisses me again.

Ledger drives slowly up a hill to a large, beautiful farmhouse. It’s a classic white farmhouse with a bronze roof, two stories with a wrap-around porch. It’s like a dream.

He pulls to a stop next to a line of trucks, and I move to get out, but Ledger grabs my hand before I can.

“No, no,” he says, pulling my hand toward him.

He kisses my knuckles and looks me in the eye. “I know you’re nervous, that’s fair, but I’m asking you to trust me when I say they will love you. It will be fine.”

“We got married and can’t tell them why. Explain how that’sfine,” I mutter.

“That is … yeah, that’s fair, but it will be fine. I promise, they will love you because I know you’re not the woman you used to be,” he says.

I take a deep breath and nod because my throat is too tight and I’m not sure I believe him. I’ve never done anything to them, but they’ve associated me with Grey and the Kensingtons for years. Just because I’m not now, doesn't mean that immediately goes away.

Ledger helps me out of the truck and twines our fingers together and I squeeze to steady myself as he leads the way up the steps.