Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(49)

Maybe it’s just me.

I take his hand and squeeze it, Josh looking over to me and smiling. "I'm really happy. Thank you for being so good to me."

He winces but leans over and kisses me. "I do my best. You're worth it."

A few minutes later, out of nowhere, he says something. "I love you. Never forget that."

"You're freaking me out. Tell me what's going on."

"It's nothing."

"Nothing doesn't make you act the way you have been. Talk to me. Your my best friend. I'd do anything for you."

"I'm scared." His announcement shocks me.

"Of what?"

"Losing you. I'm afraid I'm going to lose you and it's depressing."

"Why would you lose me?" I ask.

"Because I'm no where near perfect. I make mistakes."

"I do too."

"It's different, Tamsyn. Thinking about losing your love makes me feel sick. It's only a matter of time. I'm trying to be positive, but the harder I fall the more difficult it gets to think about."



I think for a few minutes about how I should respond. "I know it's only been a few months, but I've never felt this way about anyone else. You're my match. I honestly believe that. I know you've made big changes in your life. We all have demons and fears."

"When my family loves, we fall hard. I can see this going somewhere. I want you by my side. One day I'd like to make you more than my girlfriend." He takes my hand and kisses it. "I'm not trying to freak you out or push you. I'm just saying I can picture it. I can see us together, maybe with a couple kids."

This isn't the man I met at the dealership. He’s becoming my whole world. When he says things like this I forget he used to be a player, and that I'm his first real relationship. His love for me is obvious. He doesn't hide it.

I spent three years with a guy who never put me first. He lied and cheated. I've been with Josh for three months and he's everything I've ever looked for in a man. "It may be years away, but I promise I'll still be by your side."

Josh peers out the window. He's withdrawn again, and I don't know why, until I begin to worry. "Is there something I don't know?"

He doesn't answer. "We're here." He points to the white picket fence that seems to go on for miles. We approach a large white sign with the Mitchell name and pull onto the private driveway. Josh stops and plugs in a code that opens the security gates. Unlike North Carolina, this place is huge. It's like a family compound.

"Exactly how rich is your family?"

"We do all right. You seeing me for my money?"

"I've never asked for a penny."

He rubs my leg. "I'm teasing. The thought has never crossed my mind. Besides, I collect a paycheck and still live with my parents. I'm by no means rich."

“I’m teasing you, silly. I’d still want you even if you lived in a car.”

“I’d make sure it was a nice car at least,” he jokes.

I smile and lean my head against him as we pull up in front of the old mansion. It appears that we’re the first couple to arrive for the festivities. After meeting his great aunt, he gives me a tour of the home, and then the property.

I’m overwhelmed, at least until we come to his Uncle Colt and Aunt Van’s house. It’s big, but nothing compared to the mansion. When we go inside it smells like a bakery. His aunt comes over and gives me a hug like the last time we saw each other. She’s like the most gentle human being I’ve ever met. Her oldest daughter Christian comes in and greets us almost the same as her mother. “What are you two up to?”

“I’m showing her the ranch, one house at a time.”

“Don’t go to Addy’s house. They’re remodeling. It’s a disaster. I can’t believe she’s letting people stay with them.”

I smirk. “I’m sure it’s fine. One time my parents decided to knock down a wall the night before Christmas. There was so much drywall dust that our tree looked like the ones with the snow painted on them. All of my presents were caked in a white layer of residue. We ended up eating dinner in my parent’s bedroom, wearing our pajamas.”

Christian seems interested in my story. She’s laughs with me and then turns to Josh. “Keep this one. She’s great.”

“I plan on it,” he explains.

Once we’re outside, Josh takes my hand and leads me down a gravel road. Tall grasses line one side, while a green pasture sets the landscape on the opposite side. A couple horses are grazing, while wild birds fly around them. It’s heavenly. I can picture living my life in a place like this, Josh by my side, maybe someday there will be kids. I’m overthinking things, probably rushing what should be taken slow, but I’m happy. I’m ecstatic. I belong with him, and him with me. I can feel it in my gut. My life is beautiful when he’s a part of it. “I feel like the luckiest person on the planet.”

“I’m glad you’re happy, beautiful. It’s all I could ask for.”

“Being here with you; it’s like a dream. Your family is great. They’ve been so nice. It’s funny, because I swore your mom would hate me considering the way we first met, but she doesn’t. She makes me feel so welcome. What I’m trying to say is that I’m grateful you came into the dealership and hit on me. I’m thankful you showed up that night and didn’t take me home. I’m glad we had sex.”