“If you’ve got some time, I’d like to show you something. It’s not too far.”
“Of course.”
Her heart skipped a beat when he reached down and took her hand, holding it the whole way to his car. The rental SUV sat parked cattycorner in front of the house, and he helped her into the passenger seat before heading around to the driver’s side.
They drove for about ten minutes or so when he pulled off onto a poorly paved section of road, the SUV bouncing on the rough terrain. On either side of the pitted driveway, she could tell the grass had been cleared but had started filling in again, probably several weeks’ worth of overgrown grass and weeds as far as she could see.
After driving about half a mile, he pulled onto an area that had been cleared, with bare dirt exposed. Landscaping stakes with fluttering flags were placed everywhere, and orange-colored spray paint marked out areas on the ground.
Not waiting for him to open her door, she climbed from the SUV, and hurried over to the site, seeing it for what it was. Gage was showing her a part of himself, exposing his hopes and dreams. This was where he was building his own personal place. Close to the Boudreaus. Close to Shiloh Springs.
“It’s beautiful here.”
“You’re the first person to see it.”
“I’m honored.” Walking closer to the landscaper’s stakes, she turned back toward the road, and smiled. “You’re going to be able to see the sunrise every morning from here.”
“That’s why I planned the house in this spot. When I talked with the architect, he positioned the house so I’ll get sunrise and sunset views.
“How much land do you own?” Looking around, she didn’t see any other houses close by, though there were strands of trees, so there might be close neighbors she hadn’t spotted.
“Right at ten acres. I’m not looking to run a full ranch here. I wanted some place where I could spread out; maybe have a garden outside the kitchen. A barn and a couple horses. The simple life.”
“Sounds perfect.” It sounded like the Boudreau ranch, if you didn’t add in the working portion of it. But she didn’t say that, not out loud. She knew he was trying to recreate something important to him, and it touched her heart.
“I don’t need a place as large as the Big House, just a place to hang my hat when I’m not out working cases. Though I’m thinking about officially retiring from the CIA.”
“You are? What happens then?”
“That kind of depends on you.”
“Me?”
“I’m not the kind to beat around the bush or draw things out, Suzanna, so I’m going to come right out and say it. I love you.” He slapped his cowboy hat against his thigh, like he didn’t know what he should do with his hands. “Maybe it’s too soon. I wouldn’t know, I’ve never been in love before. Not saying I haven’t been in relationships, I have. Not that there have been that many, too busy working for the government to really get involved seriously with anybody. You probably don’t need to hear about my past girlfriends, right? But meeting you, it changed everything. I know it’s fast. I know I should wait and not say anything yet, but I need you to know I love you.”
“Gage, I—”
“You need time to grieve. I get it. You loved Steven, you’d planned to spend your life with him. Maybe you aren’t ready to hear me say I love you. Maybe you don’t think you’ll ever feel the same way about me that I feel about you. If you don’t want to see me again, I’ll understand. Heck, I know I’m screwing this up, so I’ll shut up now.”
Suzanna bit her lip to keep from smiling. He looked so adorable, holding his hat in his hands in front of him, almost like a shield against rejection. Her heart felt like it would explode she was so happy. Scared, exhilarated, ready to take on the world. Hearing him say the words, feeling the same thing in her heart, she knew they were meant to be. Call it Fate. Call it Cupid shooting them with arrows. Put any label on it, but it was the forever kind of love.
“Can I talk now?”
She watched him swallow, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat, and he nodded. “Good. You silly, lovable man, I love you too. I think I fell head-over-heels for you the minute you rushed into my hotel room in New Orleans, intent on saving me. My white knight, ready to slay the dragon. How could Inot fall in love? You know I cared for Steven, and he’ll always have a special place in my heart, but I love you. Deeply, madly, annoyingly over-the-top crazy about you.”
His eyes widened in shock. “You love me?”
“How could I not? You’re perfect for me. Now stop thinking so hard and kiss me.”
Suzanna couldn’t believe Gage was holding her, kissing her. Pulling back, he stared into her eyes, his lips curving up in a wicked grin. She pulled his head down for another mind-numbing kiss, lost in the sensations roiling through her body. It had been far too long since she’d been held, and nobody came close to making her feel the way Gage did—nobody.
Suzanna kissed him back as if her life depended on it. Maybe it did. Maybe this was a mirage that would fade at any moment, leaving her bereft and yearning for something always out of reach. Yet when she opened her eyes, Gage stood there looking down at her, and she could read the love in his gaze.
Gage must have felt something in the urgency of her kisses, because he clasped her face between his two hands, his touch gentle but firm.
“I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart. I promise.”
“It’s just, I lost Steven and I’m so afraid I’ll lose you too. I know what you do for the government is important, and I’m grateful and thankful that you’ve protected our country, but I lose you…I don’t think my heart could take the pain.”
