Shameless(90)

There’s no use in trying to hide the huge smile on my face as I watch him drive. “I can’t believe you drove all this way with Izzy.”

He glances at her in the rearview mirror. “I told her we were coming for you, and it’s the strangest thing—I swear she really understood.”

Shifting in my seat, I turn back to her and grin. “Missed you, mamacita.”

Izzy holds out her arms and yells my name.

“Sweetie, when we stop in a little while, I’ll get you out of your car seat and hold you.”

Brady shakes his head. “She missed you like crazy. I’m lucky she’s even talking to me at this point. Swear she was pissed at me for days.”

“Aww, Izzy, don’t be mad at your uncle, but thanks for the solidarity, babe.”

Izzy smiles back at me, and Brady shakes his head with a laugh.

I shift my attention back to him. “For real, though, I can’t believe my whole family helped you. How did you do this? When?”

“Last few days. Since someone wasn’t picking up the phone, I had to get crafty.” He shoots me a dirty look.

“I’m sorry. I left my charger at the farm and was too depressed to motivate and buy another one. But how did you track me down?”

He gives me a big, stupid grin. “I sweet talked Mrs. Mac for your number in Corpus. But first she yelled at me for being a dumbass and not chasing after you sooner.”

“That was sweet of her.”

He laughs again.

Reaching over, I run my hand against his smooth jaw, still missing him so much even though he’s sitting right next to me. “You shaved.”

“I was meeting your parents. Damn right I shaved.” A silly smirk tilts his lips. “I’m maybe even thinking I won them over a little.”

“I’m shocked you softened them up so quickly, but I guess I shouldn’t be. You are very charming.” I swear my mom fluttered around him.

“Truthfully, I’m a little stunned your dad didn’t try to put my balls in a nutcracker. He sounded like a scary dude on the phone when we talked a few days ago. But I like that he’s protective of you, so I understand.”

“I saw him pull you aside before we left. What did he say?”

“That it meant a lot to him that I cared enough to drive all that way. I mean, of course I made the drive. I’d do it all over in a heartbeat.”

I love you. The emotion swells in my chest. “My dad really doesn’t warm up to people that quickly. I’m so glad you guys hit it off.”

I’m feeling dumb for thinking my parents wouldn’t give him a chance. Although I do think our conversations over the last week have made them rethink how close-minded they’ve been.

And then I tell him what’s been weighing on my heart since I left the farm. “I’m sorry for taking off like that.”

“I didn’t exactly make a convincing argument about why you should stay. Then you were gone.” His voice drops to a whisper. “And it f*cking wrecked me.” He reaches over and threads his fingers through mine. “I love you, Kat. I should’ve told you before you left.”

Everything in me feels jittery, pumped with elation and hope and a little fear. I blurt the words before I have time to censor myself. “Is this crazy? Is this too fast? You’re turning your whole life upside down to stay here. Are we insane?”

He looks over with nothing but confidence and adoration in his eyes. “No, this isn’t crazy.” His thumb strokes my hand gently. “My brother said he loved Mel after knowing her for seven days, and I’m starting to see the wisdom behind the things he went after. You and I have been taking the slow route in comparison.” He glances over again. “Cal and Mel were happy, right? And in love?”

“Madly in love.”

“Which sums up how I’m feeling about you. So maybe this is unconventional, but it feels right, doesn’t it?”

My heart is a jet airplane taking off into the sunset. “Yes, it feels right.”

“So there’s our answer.” A hint of concern etches his brow. “Look, let’s see how we get along when we’re not dealing with so much traumatic shit. You don’t have to pledge your undying love and loyalty to me... yet.” He glances over with a wink. “But I think we have something special.”

Feeling a little choked up, I nod.

He leans over for a sweet kiss and smiles. “Our home isn’t the same without you, babe.”

Home.

No word has ever sounded so good.





61





Brady





When my tires finally hit the gravel on our driveway, I couldn’t be more relieved. It’s been torture being around Kat and not be able to touch her. Really touch her.

My hand pats the pocket on my coat jacket. I brought her Christmas present with me just in case I had to go into full-scale grovel mode, but decided to wait until we got home to give it to her.

As we unload the truck, I watch her as she hugs Izzy, and my head goes a little fuzzy with emotion. Because I love my girls so damn much.

Kat’s the light at the end of this dark tunnel, one I’ve been traveling since before my brother died. I hadn’t realized it, but I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t complete. In fact, at the time I couldn’t even tell you what I was missing.