I stiffened. “You’ve had almost no sleep, and you look like crap.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“You know what I mean. It’s obvious you don’t feel well.”
Grae turned on her stool so she faced me. “I’ve dealt with this before. I know my limits. I won’t take a group out today, but I can sit at a desk and do admin work. I’ll make sure I’m eating what I need to, and I’ll go to bed early tonight.”
My back teeth ground together.
She reached up and pressed a palm to my cheek. “Trust me to know my limits. Please.”
There was a desperation in her voice that had me giving in. I wrapped my arms around her, resting my chin on her head. “This isn’t easy for me.”
“I know.” Grief laced each word. “Am I hurting you?”
I held her tighter. “No. This isn’t on you. I just can’t take the idea of something happening to you.”
Grae pulled back. “But somethingisgoing to happen to me. That’s life. You can’t protect me from everything that might come my way.”
I struggled to keep my grip on her gentle.
“But you can walk with me through it. Just like I’ll walk with you.”
I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and squeezed her neck. “Okay.”
Grae leaned forward, resting her head on my chest. “Thank you.”
I forced myself to release her and turn the conversation to lighter things. We talked about Grae’s plan to take Aspen and her daughter, Cady, on a kayaking trip. And then I suggested we could take Cady and Charlie camping overnight with the horses. We lost ourselves in that planning for a while. It was easy and normal, but I felt the shadows at the edges of my mind taunting me.
The ride into town was mostly quiet, and each mile that passed twisted my insides tighter. The idea of just dropping Grae off and leaving her killed me.
I pulled into a parking spot outside the Vacation Adventures cottage and slid out of my SUV. I rounded the vehicle and opened Grae’s door.
She took my hand. “You don’t have to come in.”
I dropped a kiss to the top of her head. “Let me be a gentleman.”
Grae’s brow rose. “Gentleman, huh?”
I grinned. “In public, at least.”
She snorted but took my hand anyway.
I’d never been one for public displays of affection like this, but Grae was different. I wanted to touch her anytime I could. Wanted the world to know that she was mine and I was hers. I led us toward the building and held open the screen door for her.
“G!” Eddie greeted around a mouthful of breakfast burrito.
Noel lifted his chin at her, but his eyes narrowed on me.
Jordan looked up from pouring a mug of coffee, concern filling his eyes. “You okay? You don’t look so hot.”
“Long night,” Grae mumbled.
“You need to take it easy today?” he pressed.
“Probably not a bad idea.” She glanced at Noel. “Can you take my hike today?”
He nodded. “Of course.” His gaze shifted to me. “Need to take better care of her.”
