Her compromise had been to sign them up to volunteer at the shelter, so at least he’d have the chance to be around some dogs once in a while. Monday was going to be their first day. She only hoped it didn’t break both their hearts.
“Hey,” Cash said, coming back out again.
“Hi,” she replied, turning to see him holding a stack of something in his hand. “That was quick.”
“Acoustic guitar strings,” he said. “I figured Cody would like them. They’re the same kind I use.”
“That’s really nice,” she told him, meaning it.
“I wish you’d let me do more,” he said.
“For now, it’s better to do little things that show him you’re really getting to know him,” she said. “Like this.”
“Any reason I can’t do both?” Cash asked.
She’d had a deep and visceral reaction the first time he’d offered her money, and she hadn’t been able to figure out why. But now she realized what she was worried about.
What if he just tries to replace time and care with money?
He certainly had enough of it. It would be all too easy for him to open his wallet and then direct his attention elsewhere.
“Let’s not muddy the water with money,” she said, not wanting to insult him by telling the truth.
“But you’ll tell me if you’re in trouble, right?” Cash asked. “Do you promise you won’t let anything bad happen withouttalking to me?”
“Of course,” she told him, meeting his eyes. “I will never let anything bad happen to Cody, especially if I think you could help.”
He nodded slowly.
“Promise you won’t take him away from me?” she heard herself ask before she had time to think better of it, her voice breaking at the end of the question.
“Bella,” he breathed, moving to her and taking her hands in his. “Why would you even ask me that?”
“He’s your son,” she replied. “And he’s not even really my nephew. Harper was my cousin, not my sister. But I’ve known him all his life, and I’m all he has from his past. Even if he won’t talk to me about it yet.”
The secret fear she had been trying to repress since Cash first appeared took hold of her again and she felt the tears coming before she could stop them. She looked down at the ground, hoping he wouldn’t see.
“I would never,evertake that boy away from you,” Cash told her, lifting one hand to cup her cheek and tilt her face back up to him. “I promise.”
Relief slammed into her and the gratitude that followed had her leaning into the hand that held her face, and closing her eyes for a moment.
“Bella,” Cash murmured.
She opened her eyes to see him leaning closer.
This time, there was nothing to distract him from her. The world seemed to stand still as his lips touched hers, gently at first, sending shivers through her, and then more forcefully, until she forgot how to breathe, how to do anything but be kissed by Cash Law.
“Wow,” he murmured, pulling back.
His eyes were hazy with need, and he tilted his head slightly as he studied her.
“Who are you?” he whispered.
Bella’s heart was pounding too hard for her to be able to think straight.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head. “We need to get out of here before I ask you inside again. Come on.”
