Page 54 of Captivated
He could shop for groceries and clothes, couldn’t he? He made regular trips to see Dr. Lacey. He went out to take photos for his paintings. He could function.
Well, now he wanted more than mere functioning.
One more week at Salvation. Seven days to stretch beyond himself. To talk to the owner of the ranch, finally. To learn the names of the other hands. To watch more than the horses, to go on a few trails.
Icando this.
Nate turned and walked inside. Zeeb would be along soon with his breakfast, maybe with ideas of how Nate could spend his day.
Nate had his own ideas. No more circling his life as if it was something too hot to touch.
Today, he would begin the work of choosing it.
Zeeb came around the corner of the cabin to find Nate waiting for him on the porch. He sat on a chair, facing the creek, his hands clasped in his lap. He turned his head in Zeeb’s direction and instead of shrinking back into himself the way he’d done so far, he offered a soft, real smile.
One that reached his eyes.
Zeeb stilled.
Something’s different about him.It took him a moment to decide what the change was, and the closest he came to it was that Nate looked like someone who had remembered how to live in his own skin.
Man, that smile.Something had shifted. Thawed, even, like the first warmth after a long frost.
Zeeb stepped onto the porch and set the bag down. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be up. I’m earlier than usual.”
“I didn’t want to miss this.” Nate gestured at the creek. “It’s beautiful out here.” Then he resumed his observation, his shoulders relaxed.
Zeeb let the silence hang for a beat. There was no need to fill it when the birds were doing just fine.
Nate’s voice broke the quiet. “I’m done.”
Zeeb gazed at him, his heartbeat quickening. “Wanna explain that remark?”
He expelled a long breath. “I’m tired of surviving.”
Relief flooded Zeeb.About damn time.Something warm spread through his chest, something like pride. Not the loud kind. The kind that settled deep. The kind that didn’t need talking about because the moment said it all.
“You look different.” Zeeb kept his tone light. He took another step. “Less ghost, more human.”
Nate bit his lip. “‘Ghost’, huh?” He didn’t bristle, however.
Zeeb shrugged. “Just sayin’ what I see.”
He smiled. “You’re right, though. Today feels… different.” He glanced at the bag. “Has Matt sent the same humongous breakfast I’ve had every day this past week?”
Zeeb cackled. “You know it. No one can ever say they went hungry at Salvation.”
“Then why don’t you share it with me?”
Holy fuck.
Nate flushed. “Unless you’ve already had yours.”
“Nope, not had a bite yet.” Zeeb stared at him, noting the color in Nate’s cheeks, the shine in his eyes.
Good Lord, what happened to you?
Whatever it was, Zeeb thanked God for it.
