“Now, I have no doubt there’s a reason she was put in your life, and I know I told you to fight for her. But fight smart, son. Tyler’s like a brother to you; you don’t want to ruin that because of her. And another thing: you running in there lookin’ like you do will probably scare her shitless.”

I looked down at my shirt. I’d been sweating all day from work and I’d thrown my shirt back on right before we started back here, but it wasn’t like I was covered in bits of cow pies.

“I wasn’t exaggerating when I said you looked like a zombie, Gage. With how dead you look, you may want to go easy on seeing her again. Take a deep breath, and walk in like a normal human being.”

That was damn hard. My hands were balled into fists so I wouldn’t reach out for her, and I couldn’t even see her yet. I opened the door and walked through the living room, toward the voices in the kitchen. Cassidy laughed and it speared me to the floor. I took what felt like my first breath in two months and actually smiled. I glanced over at Dad and he patted my shoulder.

“Well, let’s go meet my future daughter-in-law.”

I punched his arm and took the last few steps before rounding the corner into the kitchen. And there she was. As perfect and beautiful as ever. “Cassidy,” I breathed.

She launched herself at me and wrapped her arms around my neck, whispering into my ear. “I missed you so much, Gage.”

“I missed you too, darlin’.” God, she had no idea how much I’d missed her. I held her tight and memorized the feel of her. Trying not to be obvious, I breathed her in and relaxed even more. She was here. Really here. Squeezing her tighter, I was glad to feel even less of her ribs and shoulder blades. She’d been slowly putting on some more weight, and while she had at least another ten pounds to go, she was looking healthier and more beautiful all the time.

Tyler cleared his throat, and I reluctantly let her go. I tried not to let it show how much it hurt when she went right back to his side. Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Jim stepped up to give me hugs, and I caught Mom looking at me with wide, curious eyes. I cast a glance at Dad and saw him giving the same look at Cassidy. I knew exactly what he was thinking, because it was the same as me. How does she act like that toward me and not feel a damn thing for me?

“Gage?”

“Yeah, Mama?” I still couldn’t take my eyes off Cassidy.

“Why don’t you go get cleaned up, you’ve been working all day.”

“All right.”

After a minute of me not moving, she spoke up again. “That was code for ‘you smell and look all kinds of tore up,’ son. Go take a shower.”

Not that I take long showers anyway, but I don’t think I’ve ever taken a faster shower than I did just then. I wanted to get back to Cassidy, had to get back to her. I was stupid for thinking I could ever get over her; if anything, this time apart had shown me how impossible that would be. I ran into the bedroom and skidded to a stop, clutching the towel around my hips.

“Whoa, Ma, seriously?”

“Now, tell me why you thought you couldn’t tell me what was going on, Gage.”

I sighed and grabbed a shirt, focusing on buttoning all the buttons before speaking. “I’m real sorry, ma’am. Until Dad made me talk about it today, I hadn’t realized I was acting any different toward y’all.”

“We have been worried sick.”

“I know, Mama.”

“Now, your father already told me everything you told him, so I won’t keep you much longer. But you know you can always talk to us.” She stood up and walked toward my door, pausing just before she shut it. “She is dang cute, Gage.”

I smiled widely at her. “I know she is.”

With a quick wink, she shut the door behind her, and I went back to frantically trying to get ready. I tried not to charge down the stairs, but it didn’t matter. She wasn’t in the house. I heard Tyler say her name and walked out the front door and about choked on a laugh when I saw her. She was staring wide eyed at my dad, who was showing Uncle Jim and Tyler his new hunting rifle. She shot a quick glance in my direction, then went right back to the rifle.

“It won’t bite you, Cass.” I smirked as I reached her side.

“It might, you don’t know that.”

“We can go shooting right now and I’ll show you they’re fine.”

Her eyes got even wider and she slowly shook her head back and forth. She still couldn’t take her eyes off the rifle and I ground my teeth when she took an involuntary step toward Tyler.

“Let’s start with something a little easier then.” I lightly touched her arm and turned her the opposite way. “It’s been a while since I promised you . . .” I trailed off and smiled when I heard her intake of breath.

I led her into the stables and over to my mare Star. She was dark chestnut brown with a white lopsided star on her forehead, and she was extremely calm. She would be perfect for Cassidy. I opened up her door and walked in, bringing Cassidy with me. Tyler stayed up against the door and didn’t say much as I let the girls meet.

I rubbed Star’s long nose as she butted my chest. “Star, this is Cassidy; Cass, this is Star.” Grabbing Cassidy’s hand, I brought her closer to the horse and she slowly reached out a hand to Star’s neck.

“Hey, Star,” she said softly. “Is she yours?” she asked as she brought her other hand up to Star’s jaw.