Heartless (Chestnut Springs, #2)(93)

I don’t need a night alone to gather my thoughts at all. But I could tell by the expression on her face that she did. I’ve seen that look before—a deer caught in the headlights.

Willa prides herself on going with the flow, but now she hit the rapids and she’s freaking out. A lot has changed for her in a very brief time. I remember this feeling well, but it’s different this time around.

I’d rather she freaks out with me, but I also know better than to smother someone as independent as her, which is why I let her drive away.

But I jump in my truck and follow her to the main house, not about to sit at home alone when she and Luke are both under one roof.

Where they go, I go. It just feels right.

I pull up and kill my engine, eyes locked on the guest room window. When the light turns off, I get out and make my way inside through the front door. I should probably be thinking about a new baby—and I will—but right now, all I can think about is Willa. Soothing her. Holding her.

Keeping her.

When I step into the dimly lit living room, I catch sight of my dad in his deep leather recliner, a glass of bourbon in his hand.

And he’s grinning at me like a fucking loon.

“What are you smiling at?”

“You made the right decision for once.”

I glare at him. “For once? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“Pour yourself a drink, sit down, and drop the asshole act with me, kid. It doesn’t scare me one bit.”

With a heavy sigh, I head to the kitchen and pour myself a very hefty three fingers of bourbon before heading back to the living room and flopping down onto the couch.

“You made the right decision coming after her. You start storming out on each other this early on and you’ll be in for trouble.”

“She didn’t storm out. She just needed space.”

“I can see needing space from you.” I scowl at him. “What did you do?” he asks, adding insult to injury.

“Nothing.” I pause, tipping my head. “Well, not nothing-nothing. Something came up and I could have reacted better. I froze.”

My dad’s hawkish eyes narrow as he regards me. “This have to do with Talia?”

I wave a hand and scoff. “No.” Talia waltzed in, stirred shit up, and took off again. Flaky as always.

“Well, fill me in. Maybe your old man can help.”

My head flops back against the couch, a wry laugh bubbling up out of me. “She’s pregnant.”

I can feel my dad’s stare, see him take a thoughtful sip out of the corner of my eye. “Did I let you watch the bulls get turned out with the heifers too much as a child, boy?”

I groan.

“You got something against condoms?”

“Dad.”

“Some sort of breeding kink I don’t know about?”

I throw an arm over my eyes. “Never talk to me again. That you even know that term is altogether too much information.”

“Why are you sitting out here with me?”

“Because I stared at her blankly and said nothing when she told me. I kept running through all the things I wanted to say to her and then just clammed up. I don’t want her to feel trapped by me, or by this.” I swivel a finger around, gesturing to the ranch.

“Did you ask her if she feels that way?”

“No. I just asked over and over again why she had a carrot in her purse like a total dolt.”

“Listen, I don’t want to hear about whatever weird shit you kids are into.”

“Holy shit. Please just kill me before you say something else that makes me want to clean my ears with acid.”

My dad carries on, undeterred, but I can hear the humor in his voice. He’s having fun watching me squirm. “You two need to talk. I know Talia fucked you up, but don’t let her fuck this up for you too. If you want that girl and that baby, you need to tell her. If you don’t, then you need to work some—”

Rage flashes through my body, hot and sharp at the mention of me not wanting her. “I do,” I bite out harshly. “I want that. I want it all.”

“Then stop Eeyoring around out here with me, you grumpy dumbass. I’m going to bed. Y’all kids exhaust me.”

His glass clanks against the table, and he retreats to bed without another word. And me? I take my drink and pad quietly through the house. To Willa’s door.

I drop myself onto the floor and lean against the wall. I plan to wait until she’s had the night to herself so I can toss her over my shoulder and carry her back to our house.

She might need time to think about things.

But I sure as shit don’t.





I wake up when I fall and hit the floor at Willa’s feet.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Pushing up on my hands back to sitting, I shake my head to clear the cobwebs and the light ache that too much bourbon has left behind. Scrubbing my palms over my eyes, I stare up into the face of the woman I know I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.

I flop back against the doorframe and stare at her for a minute. Really take her in.

She’s fucking perfect.

“Are you drunk?” Her eyes land on the empty glass beside me. “Why are you staring at me?” Her arms cross over her body, and she pops a hip out.