Cordy hadn’t said much about the carving itself. Probably freaked out by how badly the Kessals handled love. Certainly, Chance’s stories about Lane and Dakota hadn’t helped.
“It is.” She sounded distant. “And it’s sweet that everyone respects that Ida and Jesse get this part, and they put their names outside. Are your parents’ names there?”
He nodded. “Ruby and Quint too. But not Lane and Dakota. I guess that proves they were never meant to be together.”
Chance and Cordy’s names would never be there, either. Chance wondered if he’d ever be able to come back up here again, knowing that they should be and weren’t.
Cordy didn’t say anything. She rubbed Madeleine's back in slow circles, her eyes sad.
Chance couldn’t take it anymore. Having her here, being so deeply in love with her… it was too much.
“We should head back,” he said curtly. His entire body ached with the force of holding back his feelings. “Can’t have her out too long.”
Cordy blinked hard. “She’ll want to eat soon.”
Chance knew. Madeleine's rhythms ruled his life now. Although not anymore—he was going back to work tomorrow. And Cordy and Madeleine were probably moving out soon.
They walked out without speaking. Iggy was waiting for them where they’d left him. The hike and drive back were quick, too quick. Madeleine woke up and started crying about ten minutes from home, so Cordy hustled the baby inside to feed her as soon as they got back.
Chance unloaded everything from the UTV, feeling suddenly old as hell. Just like Holden.
Iggy kept him company as he worked, which was rare for the dog.
“Why aren’t you with your kid?”
Iggy whined and stared at Chance. Chance sighed and rubbed the dog’s ears.
“I’m going to miss you. You take care of them when you guys move out. You gotta become a guard dog.”
Iggy cocked an ear.
“Is that your war face?” Chance shook his head. “You need to practice in the mirror.”
Iggy only kept staring at him, not understanding.
Cordy was waiting in the living room when Chance came inside, her hands twisted together.
Immediately, he thought of Madeleine. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. She’s napping.” Cordy pinched her fingers one by one. “At the checkup, the doctor said I could do whatever I felt up to.”
“Was that hike too much?” Damn it, Chance should have insisted they not go. She’d pushed too hard and?—
“No. I’m fine.” Her hands stilled. “I can have sex now.”
Jesus motherfucking Christ.Chance had never gotten a hard-on so quickly. He was dizzy from how fast the blood drained from his head.
“Are you sure?” He croaked that out.
Her laugh was more of a squeak. “Not totally. At least not for the full show, if you know what I mean. But maybe?—”
“Whatever you want.” Part of him hated how eager he was. He finally fell in love, but what she wanted from him was just sex. But hell, it was what he deserved. Chance would take whatever he could get from her. “We’ve got a lot of practice with other stuff.” He crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”
Cordy practically flew to him. He kissed her deep and hungry, gripping her ponytail with one hand while he stripped her clothes off with the other.
“We won’t have much time,” she whispered against his mouth. “She’ll be awake soon.”
“I know. I’ve got an idea.”
