Page 97 of Feels Like Home

“But not anymore?”

“Not anymore,” I say.

She nods.

I look at her for a long moment, and the swell of fear rises inside of me again. I wince. “Was that a mistake?”

She drops her hand. “Do you think it was?”

“I think I’m no good for you.” I press my forehead gently to hers. “I think you deserve to be treated like a princess.”

She pulls back. “Why would you think I’ve ever wanted anyone to treat me like a princess?” She holds my gaze. “You know any princesses that wear cowboy boots and muck out horse stalls?”

I smile. “I can only think of one.”

Her smile starts off slow then grows. “Took you long enough to realize it.”

“I was an idiot.” I shake my head.

She goes up on her tiptoes and kisses me, right where the scar is, then brushes across my lips with her thumb. “I want a partner, Noble. I don’t want to be anyone’s princess.”

I lean in and kiss her forehead, a silent promise that no matter what, I’m going to do everything I can to be that for her.

“And I swear if you screw this up and break my heart you’re going to find out how hard it is to ride with two broken legs.” She wraps her arms up around my neck.

I start to chuckle, but the look in her eyes tells me to take the threat seriously. And I do. I think about Melinda telling Briggs to wise up and come home or lose her forever.

Hattie’s apple is sitting right next to her mom’s tree.

“Yes, ma’am,” I say with a firm nod.

“Good. You know what else I want?” She looks up and smiles. “Ice cream.”

I quirk a brow. “Do we have ice cream?”

She nods.

“I’m in.”

“But first? Pajamas,” she says. “Meet in the kitchen in five?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Hattie

Noble kissed me.

Noble kissed me. And I kissed him back.

And it was good.

Life-altering, knee-buckling, past-erasing good.

He kissed me like he’d been thinking about kissing me for a whole lot longer than he let on. I know I’m prone to fantasizing where Noble’s concerned, but there’s no other way to interpret that kiss.

The second I get up to my room, I pace. I shake out my hands to try and release the electricity, but it doesn’t help. All of my nerves are on edge.