Page 23 of Revived My Heart

“I used to live in Cherryville, a small town very similar to this one. And I was a diner owner there. I loved the place. Loved the people. And it was off the highway, so we always had a lot of tourists, which was great.

“But I was also divorced with a son who was in college. So, certain men thought I was easy, thought I would need a date or was in dire need of a relationship. Many didn’t understand that wasn’t my case. I was also very vocal about that.”

I watched his face, reading all the emotions that passed over it. I still had his hand within mine, but I could feel it flex.

He didn’t like this, and I knew he wouldn’t like the next part either, but he also had to see why a relationship scared me. And maybe had we spoken about this sooner, we wouldn’t have lost each other for those days.

“The mayor was one of those guys,” I told him. “He tried to ask me out, but I kept saying no. Well, he didn’t like that very much. And he said I was stealing money and that I hadn’t paid taxes.He had everyone believe him and no one had my back. The only saving grace was an older sheriff who told me it was better to leave than deal with all of that.

“He was right. So, I sold my diner and found something else. But you can see why it would be so hard for me to get into something where I could risk it all again, right?

“Not that I would think you were that type of man, Mason. But you undo me in ways I didn’t know I could be undone. And I want to take the biggest risks with you. But after I’ve been burned, all of that scares the living crap out of me.”

He was silent for a moment as he processed all of that, his eyes telling me how pissed off he was, but not at me. At the man who hurt me in ways that weren’t physical. He wanted to hurt him for me and I loved that.

“I can understand that, Patty.”

“But?” I could hear it in his voice.

“I’m not him. I would never do that to you. However, I can see how that means jackshit given your past. You had a husband who left you and a mayor that treated you badly. I didn’t mean to make you just my fuck buddy, you know. I didn’t want to demean you.”

“You didn’t, Mason. Haven’t you figured out by now that I’m vocal? If I didn’t like the path we were on, I would have said something. I tried to fight my way through everything in Cherryville, but the idiot had too many ears listening to him and I wouldn’t win.

“But I don’t know how to back down, how to be something less. I’m not a meek woman and I like what I like. And I like you,” I said, scooting over to him. “In fact, if you can work with me on it, give me some time, I think I could do a relationship, because I love you too.”

“You mean that?”

“I do, Mason. I’m not saying I’m perfect, or that this will be perfect. I’m still a woman who likes her space, but I also like to think I can trust you. That you won’t hurt me like others have, even with the past you have.”

“That’s not my goal, nor was it. I didn’t mean to ever make you think you were fighting a ghost. She’s gone, but I also think she’d really like you,” he said, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. “She’d like your fire.”

He turned and looked at the cabin, a smile on his face. “We can also sell this, move into yours.”

“About that, mine is really small and yours has our memories. I know it was for her, but I’d really like to stay here. Mine just won’t do. But I wouldn’t mind keeping it to be my escape room if need be.”

He looked down at me, a mock glare on his face.

“You think I’m going to let you go anywhere alone after what you did to me, woman?”

I kissed his cheek, a smile on my face. “Yeah, what did I do?”

“You did the best thing you could have done, and you didn’t even know it. You, Patty Kingston, you Revived My Heart.”