everything in her grew heavier again. Fear didn’t always make sense. What triggered it, what caused the memories to return.
This wasn’t going to be the same, she told herself. She knew better what to watch for, and she had a whole lot of support in the form of her newfound sisters.
Sisters who would wonder what the heck was going on when they heard through the grapevine that she was seeing Zach.
Shoot. She rested her head in her hands and listened to the tires bump against the uneven highway asphalt.
“Stop tormenting yourself.” Zach’s deep rumbling voice slipped over her like a warm blanket. “We’ll figure this out. I mean that.”
His strong features were clearly visible in the light from the dashboard. His expression was a lot harder than usual. As if all the easygoing fun that she’d seen in him over the past months was boxed up and contained.
“I’m sorry.” She said it sincerely, even as she knew the apology wouldn’t change anything.
The honest truth—if she had to temporarily screw up her life and somebody else’s to save Brad Ford a world of hurt?
She’d do it in an instant.
That wasn’t something that she could up and say, though, without complicating the situation even more than it already was. But considering she owed Brad her life, a little emotional upheaval, even within her newfound family—
Just the thought of that truth made her pause. She had family again.
Lots and lots of family, and while on one level she was thrilled, there was another part of her that remained in denial.
Zach once again caught her fingers in his, squeezing them tight. Which was nice and reassuring, but when he didn’t let go and let their linked hands rest on the seat between them, Julia’s pulse kicked up a notch.
She liked the man.
When she’d come out of that bathroom, struggling to come up with a solution, seeing him had felt as if she’d rounded a corner into an ocean inlet and left behind the rough waves. Calmness had wrapped around her and let her take a full breath.
Holding hands seemed far too natural considering how unnatural it was. Up until now they had always been a part of a group. Activities with her sisters, dancing at the pub, that kind of thing.
Still, she had stitched him up about a month ago when he’d accidentally been shot. The feel of his firm muscles under her fingers—
It was a little creepy how often that scene replayed itself in her head. Considering her issue with stalkers, the last thing she wanted was to be one herself.
Zach slowed as they entered the gate to the Red Boot ranch. Julia peered out the window at the outbuildings around them.
The guys had been working on the place since the spring, rapidly at first but with a slowdown recently. Although it was getting closer to winter, so she figured that made sense. They just didn’t seem to have the same urgency to get the place up and running that she’d noticed in the beginning.
The buildings and grounds had changed since the last time she’d been there, though, and Julia was fascinated. “Where are you staying these days?” she asked.
He pointed to the far end of the row of small cabins facing the Rocky Mountains. “I’ve got the biggest one. Two bedrooms—you’ll have space to yourself.”
His words came out a little more clipped than usual, his body tight as he parked his classic car in an old wooden shed on the far side of the cabin. His truck sat outside the makeshift garage.
They both got out and met at the trunk.
Zach took a deep breath before turning to face her. “I’ll let you in and you can get settled. I promised Finn I’d take care of a few chores tonight. I’ll be back in about an hour.”
She glanced at the small cottage beside them, a cozy glow shining out the window. The temptation to run away for at least a short time was strong, but something told her it wasn’t the right move. With where her head was at, she’d do nothing but fidget and worry the entire time he was gone.
Julia shook her head. “I’ll drop my things, but let me come and help you.”
He hesitated. “This whole situation we need to talk through—I don’t think that should be done while we’re wandering around the barns.”
“I agree. But honestly, I wouldn’t mind a bit of labour while I’m thinking. It’s how I figure stuff out.”
His big shoulders lifted in a lazy shrug.