Chapter 15: No Men for a Year

Callie's POV

He parked behind Dot's carriage house and turned off the engine, and neither of us got out.

The ticking of the cooling car was the only sound in the yard.

"I'm sorry about what I said at the light," Ward said.

"You were afraid."

"I was an idiot who was afraid."

"A coat," I said. "You really think that's what I'd use you for."

"No."

He was looking at the steering wheel.

"I think I'd let you use me for that and say thank you, and that's the part that scares me."

I turned in my seat so I was facing him.

"I told you I might go back if Gavin showed up at the gate," I said.

"I remember, Callie."

"This morning he showed up, and I felt nothing. Then I sat at that table and felt your hand in mine."

His breath went out of him in one rough piece.

He got out of the car, came around, and opened my door.

The carriage house was one big room over a garage.

It held a bed, a desk covered in charts and a kitchen the size of a closet.

He switched on a single lamp and stood there with his jacket still on, not touching me.

"I have a rule," I said. "No men for a year. I said it out loud to my aunt."

"I remember."

"It's been three weeks."

"I can count." His mouth moved. "Do you want me to take you back across the yard?"

"That isn't the question."

"No," he said. "It isn't."

He crossed the room, took my face in both hands and tipped it up.

"Your rule is a good rule," Ward said. "I'm overruling it."

"You said you don't give orders."

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