Housebroke, p.26
Housebroke,
p.26
He could talk bullshit about the house or he could do what was necessary to fix things with her. And maybe it wouldn’t work, but it was up to him to try.
He picked up her hand. “Hazel, I love you. I stupidly forgot to mention the most important thing when I dragged you out to that property. I want to build a life with you because I love you. And I’m so damned sorry I didn’t mention my financial situation to you earlier, because I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone before in my life outside of my family. I can’t make up for how badly I screwed up. I can only hope that someday you’ll forgive me, because I would really like my future to include you. I love you. I need you. I’ve missed you so much I can barely breathe.”
Linc’s apology was everything to Hazel. His admitting fault meant more to her than she could convey. Telling her he loved her? Everything. But still, she needed more.
“I need you to understand that I can’t have you giving me the life of my dreams, Linc. I have to have control over my destiny. And I know you have all this money and, wow, that’s great and all, but I’ve taken some steps forward to be independent, and while not super successful, I’m standing on my own two feet for the first time in a long time.”
He leaned forward. “Okay, tell me what you want.”
“I love that property. It’s my dream. But I am not ready for that yet. If you want to move in together that sounds great. Let’s start small and let me get my business going. I can work and foster. We’ll build up to the twenty acres, if that works for you.”
He nodded. “Whatever makes you happy works for me. I want to give you the world, Hazel, but I’m willing to work on that world alongside you. I will do whatever it takes to earn your trust. I hope you can trust me to do anything to make you happy.”
Her heart swelled and tears streamed down her cheeks. “Of course I trust you. And I love you, too, which I should have said the minute I felt it. I was afraid.” Her voice wobbled so she stopped talking.
“I was afraid, too. Love is scary. But I think if we want to be with each other we’re both going to have to be a little brave. Because we can do amazing things together.”
She nodded. “I think you’re right. I’ve been miserable without you, and I want to be a part of helping you do what you love, and letting you help me achieve my dreams, because that’s what people who love each other do.”
Linc’s heart pounded so hard, blood rushing so loud through his veins he could hardly hear himself think. But he felt such joy at having this amazing woman forgive him, give him another chance to show her just how much he loved her. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, tasting the salt of her tears in that kiss that bound them together.
When he pulled away, they sat on the sofa in the living room, her body touching his. He didn’t know if he’d ever want to let go of her. He’d almost lost her, and he’d never let that happen again.
“Can we keep the dogs?” he asked. “Our dogs? They could be the pack leaders for the rest of the fosters. Help them out, get them comfortable. How would you feel about that?”
She laid her palm on his chest. “I like that idea. Let’s do that.”
“We’ll build a life together, Hazel,” he said. “With both of our input. I won’t make assumptions about what you want or need. You’ll tell me.”
She reached up and swept her hand across his jaw. “Maybe we’ll start with house shopping? Something with a small amount of land. I’ve already got a line on a job as a sous-chef at a nice, trendy restaurant. I’m kind of excited about cooking there.”
“That sounds pretty great.”
“Then let’s work on our future together.”
He smiled down at her, brushed his lips across hers. “Yeah, I can’t wait to get started.”
They sank into the couch together and started making plans, and Linc felt settled. Happy. And utterly in love.
Life was good.
Photo by Claudio Marinesco
Jaci Burton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of more than eighty books, including the Play-by-Play, Hope, and Brotherhood by Fire series. She has been a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist, and she was awarded the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award. Jaci lives in Oklahoma with her husband and dogs.
Visit Jaci Burton online
JaciBurton.com
AuthorJaciBurton
JaciBurton
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Jaci Burton, Housebroke
