“Missed you more,” she said, cooing and tickling the baby, relishing her shrieky, happy giggles. Ethan had been the one to guide her through her freshman year of college, when she felt aimless, angry, and full of pain. Recognizing a fellow wounded soul, he showed her how the animals could heal, and ended up changing her life. She loved him like a second father, and they consistently corresponded via text on a regular basis. With his rugged, quiet aura, russet hair, and gentle touch, he’d retired from the military after a terrible injury and came back to work on the farm. His ability to heal Phoenix helped turn the horse into a racing legend.
Evie happily became the center of attention as everyone took their turns with her. Chloe noticed Owen block her father to the side and say a few words. Holding her breath, she watched as Dad’s face tightened. Then he gave a sharp nod and marched outside.
Owen followed.
Chloe met Alyssa’s supportive gaze and hoped for the best.
Chapter Eleven
“Sir, can we speak frankly?”
Owen ignored his rapidly beating heart and faced the man who’d been the first to capture Chloe’s heart. Jonathan Lake was an intimidating man, from his steely gaze, muscled frame, and powerful energy that beat in waves around his figure. Owen had always been a bit scared of him, agreeing with his view that Owen would never be good enough for Chloe. But now, it was time to set the past straight and tell his truths.
If he wanted a fresh start with Chloe, he needed to begin with her father.
“Frankly is the only way I speak,” Jonathan said, leaning against the rail of the porch. “Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?”
“Chloe. I’m not sure what she’s told you about us yet, but I specifically came back for her. To make things right. To get a second chance. I have no intention of hurting her.”
Jonathan lifted a brow. “You already did. Enough that I had to watch my daughter in pain for a very long time. It took her a while to put the pieces back together. So let me tell you my intentions, Owen Salt. You are going to leave her alone so she can get on with her life.”
He got a front row seat to how a competitor felt in direct opposition to the governor. The man was razor sharp, focused and intent on tearing Owen apart. This time, though, he knew who he was and what he wanted. Owen kept his position, meeting the man’s eyes in a direct, calm gaze.
“That’s not going to happen, sir. I’m here to stay. I’m not sure if Chloe will ever allow me a second chance, but I’m not giving up. I’m not the same man who left four years ago, but I’ve never stopped loving her. Not one damn day.”
Jonathan began to pace, his hands reflexively squeezing into fists. Owen recognized the same exact habit Chloe always demonstrated. He wished he had a stress ball to throw the man. “If you loved her, why’d you leave? I could have gotten you a damn job right here in New York—you never had to go to California. You left because you wanted to, and it’s time you admit it.”
The memory of his fateful decision still had the power to rip him apart. Remembering her face when he refused to respond after her begging him to stay. The splinter of raw vulnerability and pain when she realized he was breaking up with her. “No. I left because I had to. I’m not sure if you can understand the position I was in. Chloe always had a clear direction of what she wanted to accomplish. I was lost. Do you have any idea how difficult it was knowing I could’ve been in some cushy job with your help or my grandfather’s by just asking, and choosing to go out on my own instead? The only identity I had as a man was loving your daughter. Is that what you’d really want for her?”
Jonathan practically growled at him. “No. That’s exactly why I never thought you were good for her!”
“You can’t help who you love. I fell for Chloe the second I laid eyes on her. Do you think that was easy? Being a nineteen-year-old kid and knowing your fate was right there, but you had to figure shit out first in order to be worthy of it? Have you ever experienced anything like that?”
“Yes—with Chloe’s mother. But I stayed and made it work. We figured it out together.”
Owen shook his head with frustration. “I couldn’t. When I lost my grandfather, I spun out. I didn’t want to be reliant on anyone but myself. And my gut sensed I’d end up losing Chloe anyway, maybe hurting her more and taking her down with me. I can’t change the past, I can only tell you I grew up. I know who I am, and that I’m worthy of your daughter. And with or without your permission, I’m going to try and convince her to give me another chance.”
Jonathan blew out a breath and halted mid-stride, facing him. “I liked Drew.”
Owen refused to flinch under the insult. “He’s not right for her. He’s more smitten with the idea of Chloe rather than her core. In fact, I think he’s more into having you as his future father-in-law.”
Jonathan let out a short laugh. “He did text me a lot.”
Owen grinned. “He sent her a lot of roses.”
The man wrinkled his nose. “She hates those.”
“I know,” he said softly. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be what she needed before, but I am now. I’m just asking for you to give me a chance, too.”
Jonathan rubbed his head and swore under his breath. “Fine. I’ll back off and let you both work it out. If you hurt her again, I won’t let you get away this time. I’ll find you.”
The threat by any other man would have sounded empty and like a wanna-be mobster.
From Jonathon’s mouth, Owen knew it was fact.
“I won’t. I can only hope to gain your respect along the way. Thanks for listening.” Owen turned toward the door, but the man’s voice stopped him cold.
“I respect you made some hard choices and owned up to them,” he said grudgingly. “Most men I know are full of empty excuses. Your grandfather would be proud of that, Owen.”
Emotion constricted his chest. “Thanks.”
He went back inside. Chloe sent him an anxious glance, and he smiled, giving her a nod.
The relief and happiness flickering on her face gave him hope. She wanted him to be on good terms with her father. It meant she saw a future for them. It might be misty now, but Owen intended to make it clearer with every day that passed.
* * * *
The sun sank over the horizon and the mountains shimmered in a haze of muted pinks and oranges. The horses’ hooves thundered over the pasture, caught in the rush of an old-fashioned race. Owen leaned forward to urge Flower on, but Chloe had always been a better rider. She guided Chloe’s Pride to the lead, her black hair blowing in the wind, her laugh rising in the air and caressing his ears.
She passed the marker first and gave a wild whoop, and he grinned as he eased back on the reins, watching her perfect mount on the white horse, who twitched her tail with pride at the win.
God, she was beautiful. This was the woman he remembered—a free spirit tearing around the farm in her zeal to do her best for the animals, morphing into a goddess as she rode on the back of her horse without fear, open to the unknown path ahead.
And he knew in his heart, no matter how far he ran, no matter how hard he tried to forget, he’d always be the man who was helplessly, foolishly in love with this woman.
“Got a bit rusty there in surfer city, huh?” she teased, trotting Chloe’s Pride over.
He patted Flower. “Just taking it easy on you girls. Didn’t want to push you too hard.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please, I’ve won every race we ever had and you know it.”
“Only because I like watching you from the back. You have a fine…form.”
He relished the spot of color on her cheeks. “Chauvinist,” she muttered, tugging the horse toward the trail. “Let’s go to the creek.”
The rocky path twisted and turned through the woods. The sound of rushing water mixed with the chirp of birds and rustle of leaves. The dying rays of sun cast trickles of rainbow light through the thick shade of trees. They picked their way to the bottom, then tied up the horses at the cr
eek where they could grab a drink. Settling on two massive rocks, they sat together in silence, breathing in the stillness and life of the woods around them. The musky scents of earth saturated the air, mixing with Chloe’s unique smell of wildflowers, making him a bit woozy.
“Are you going to tell me what happened with Dad?” she asked, propping her hands behind her back.
“We came to an understanding. I told him I was working hard to see if we can have a second chance together. He had some questions for me.”
A laugh rose from her lips. “I bet he did. How did you both leave it?”
“He’s not going to put a hit out on me. Yet.”
“Dad gets a bit intense.”
“I remember. But it’s because he loves you. I can deal with that.”
He reached out and took her hand and she let him. Owen soaked up the warmth of her presence, the slide of her fingers in his, the feeling of finally being home. At the farm.
With her.
“You know the hardest part about you leaving me?” she asked.
He looked over, but she was staring out at the water. He studied her profile, the strong chin, the pert shape of her nose, the smooth skin and fall of her dark hair. “What?”
“I didn’t know how to trust myself anymore. I always believed in my gut we’d be together forever. I know that may be naïve, especially since we were so young. But it was like the only thing in my life I didn’t doubt. Maybe that was wrong. Maybe I pushed you for too much, too soon.”
“I always wanted everything you did, Chloe. I just wasn’t able to give it to you. But I’m here, and now I can. If you open up a little to the possibilities.”
She turned her head and their gazes met, connected, melded. The air peaked with sensual tension, and he remembered the first time they’d made love, a blanket spread out in the pasture, under a sky full of stars.
“You want to go to the cupcake festival with me?” she finally said.
He smiled and squeezed her hand. “I’d love to.”
“Then it’s a date. But we better head back—it’ll be dark soon.”
He helped her up from the rock and they got back on the horses.
This time, they rode side by side the whole time.
Chapter Twelve
The festival was held in the back fields behind Wrights Farm. Endless booths lined up filled with various vendors, selling homemade cupcakes, treats, food, and crafts. Music drifted from a tent with the live band, and local breweries offered samples of beer and wine tastings. Dogs walked happily along on leashes, and the pet bakery sold dozens of specialty treats for happy canines.
Ophelia, Kyle, Harper, and Aidan had stayed back to watch Evie, insisting that Mia and Ethan get some time to themselves. They all drove together, while Owen blasted his favorite playlist of alternative music, to both Chloe’s and Ethan’s delight. Mia just groaned and talked about the terrible names such as Cold War Kids, Cage the Elephant, and Portugal the Man, but she was drowned out by all the singing.
After they parked and made their way to the entrance, Chloe asked to see his playlists. “You had all the best songs,” she said. “I’m terrible at organizing stuff on my phone, can I take a look?”
“Sure, the code is 1212.”
Chloe chuckled and opened up the app. “Maybe you should think of getting a smarter password,” she teased.
“You’re probably right. But there’s so damn many of them, I want it easy. The one I always replay is at the top—oh, crap, wait! Umm, can I have my phone back really quick?”
“Sure, but it’s right here, under…” She trailed off, staring at the screen. “Songs for Chloe?”
She glanced up. His normally ruddy cheeks were red stained, and pure embarrassment flickered from his pale blue eyes. It took her a few moments for the realization to hit, and then she confirmed by quickly ticking off all the songs listed.
Songs she loved. Songs they’d listened to over and over. Songs they’d fallen in love with together. A playlist for her.
The last song was Etta James, At Last.
He cleared his throat and snatched the phone back. “Umm, yeah. I kind of made up a list of my favorites, and they happen to be yours, too.”
A wave of heat washed over her, having nothing to do with the sun. “Owen, you made me a mix tape.”
He stared at her in a bit of confusion. “I just made a place to go when I missed you.”
Her legs got weak just like the trope, and for one crazy moment, she almost jumped into his arms and kissed him.
“Ready, guys?” Mia asked, turning to see where they were.
Owen shoved the phone in his pocket and fumbled out money for the tickets. Delight and joy unfurled inside her at the evidence. He hadn’t forgotten her, after all. In a way, he’d taken her with him.
Chloe laughed as Ethan wrapped his wife tight and smacked a noisy kiss on her lips. “This was our first date, princess.”
“I remember,” Chloe interrupted. “You dragged me with you to play chaperone, pretending to hate each other, but I knew it was backed-up sexual tension.”
“What do you think, horse man?” Mia teased, tilting her head up toward her husband. “Should we go eat cupcakes?”
“Absolutely. We’ll revisit the first time you fell in love with me years ago.”
Mia sputtered. “Excuse me? If you recall, I thought you were an overbearing jerk when you forced me to accompany you to the festival.”
Ethan puffed up with male pride. “Until I found your perfect cupcake and fed it to you. You were all sweetness and sugar after that. You fell hard. Oww.”
He rubbed his arm where she’d punched him. Chloe let out a laugh and they agreed to meet back in an hour so they could explore. Mia was already darting toward the specialty cupcakes, looking like a kid spotting a new bike on Christmas morning.
“Ready to eat, babe?”
His voice was a low whisper near her ear, the endearment making her tummy dip. She turned slightly and found his pale blue gaze pinned to her mouth. Her tongue flicked out to wet her lower lips, and a mischievous grin tugged the edge of his lip. Now she was the one with hot cheeks while shivers bumped down her spine. He was so damn sexy with that goatee and boy next door face, but especially because the world seemed to fall away when they were together. His razor-sharp focus was all for her.
On pure impulse, she raised up on tiptoes and pressed her mouth against his firm, warm lips.
“Let’s do it.”
They held hands and enjoyed the festival. He remembered her love for Cookie Monster and bought her a bright blue cupcake, feeding it to her in tiny bites as they strolled. They sipped local sample of ciders and beer, bought a pot of honey for Ophelia’s kitchen, and snatched up a homemade rum cake for them to eat later in the weekend. Children screamed from the bouncy tent, balloons were held tight, bobbing in the air, and it was as if time had stopped, freezing them in a memory from the past.
But it wasn’t, because they weren’t kids any longer. As she darted in and out of the stalls, and Owen stood on the sideline watching, smiling at her, Chloe realized things weren’t the same. The man beside her still held the childlike wonder she always admired but it was now tempered with a maturity and confidence. He used to chase after her, as if trying to keep up to make her happy, but now it was as if he held his own presence, able to stay silent and watch. He’d grown into himself.
They’d begun to circle back when her gaze caught on a young woman with a boy sitting beside a sign that said Puppies for Sale. There was a crowd of kids leaning over and poking at a box. Owen’s hand tightened on hers as he led her over.
The worn box held a tiny black puppy. Soft whines emitted from its throat, and Chloe watched the furball try to escape the mass of frantic hands trying to grab a touch. She quickly diagnosed a problem with the puppy’s right front leg. It held an awkward gait as the pup tried to run back and forth in the box. “Only fifty bucks for a new puppy!” the young woman announced. “Would make a wonderful
new friend.”
Parents called their kids back, leaving Owen and Chloe. “Is something wrong with him?” Chloe asked. “He’s walking funny.”
The woman waved a hand in the air and laughed. “Just hurt his paw a few minutes ago, but he’s fine. No issues. Runt of the litter so you get a discount. I normally charge a hundred.”
Immediately, Owen’s face closed up. “Did you manage to sell the others?” he asked tightly.
“Sure did. This male is the last one left, and I have to sell it today.”
Owen’s voice iced up. “Why? What will happen to him if you don’t?”
The young boy beside her turned a haunted gaze up to them. “Mama said we have to get rid of it either way,” he said. “Puppies are expensive.”
The young woman ignored the boy. “I’ll drop it off at a shelter,” she said curtly.
Chloe knew immediately she was lying. It was in her eyes, and the truth hit her full force. If the puppy didn’t sell, she’d dump him somewhere and leave the pup to fend for himself. With a lame leg, the pup wouldn’t have a chance. Chloe doubted anyone here would buy an obviously injured puppy for that type of money.
Once again, an animal was looked on as an object rather than a living creature who not only wanted to live, but to be loved. She’d seen it a thousand times before. Overbred dogs produced puppies. Puppies were sold for the profit, and whatever dog didn’t sell got dumped.
Rage overtook her, but she bit it back. The helplessness was the worst—knowing this woman would probably do it again, and never think twice about the repercussions of the murders trailed behind her.
Her thoughts whirled with ideas of how to handle the situation until Owen spoke.
“I’ll take him.”
The woman lit up. “Great! Let me just—oh, can you wait a moment? I have to take this call, Sam will help. We have change if you need it. Make sure you count the money,” she counseled the boy, turning away and hitting the button for the call.
Begin Again: A Stay Novella Page 11
