“He left a bit out. Love, the majority of the men who live there are Daddy Doms. It’s a place where women are cherishe
d and protected. If anyone ever made you feel bad about who you are, they’d be kicked off the ranch. And that’s probably after they got an ass kicking.”
“That’s…that’s…really?”
“Really, baby. I can’t believe Issy didn’t tell you all this.”
“I guess we’ve had other things going on.”
His brother was an idiot.
“I’m just scared. I’ve forgotten how to be around other people.”
“Then take it slowly. There’s no right way of doing this, Caley. You do what feels right for you. But I can guarantee that anyone who meets you will love you.”
Like he did. Fuck. He loved her.
She let out a shuddering breath. “You always know what to say to help me.”
“Hey, it’s my job,” he joked. He winced. Fuck. He shouldn’t have said that. He heard her breath hitch.
“Not that I think of you as a patient or anything. I didn’t mean it was a job to talk to you. I love talking to you, I just…” Shit. He hadn’t stumbled over his words like this since he was a teenager.
“It’s okay,” she said quietly. “I know what you mean. I like talking to you too.”
He let out a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “You can come to me about anything. I’m here for you. Issy is coming back. He would never leave you.”
“Sometimes people don’t have a choice.”
“No, they don’t,” he said with sympathy. “But you have to decide whether taking a risk is worth it. You can spend your life protecting yourself from all harm and hurt but never truly living. Or you can love, you can live, and you can risk loss. Caley, do you need me to come to you? I can.”
Only with a hell of a lot of reshuffling and probably a pissed-off assistant and patients. But he’d do it. For her.
“No, Archer, that’s all right. I know you have a lot to do there. And this conversation has helped more than you can know. A very wise man once told me that it was time to start living again. I think I should take his advice.”
“He does sound wise. And handsome, very handsome.”
Caley was giggling as she ended the call with Archer, placing the phone on the kitchen table as she looked over at the brand new microwave he’d bought her. It probably cost more than the rest of her appliances put together.
He was right, though. Lifting it herself wasn’t a smart idea. She grabbed her heat pack and put it in her old microwave. Her hands were aching a bit today and Issy wouldn’t be happy if she didn’t take care of them.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, bringing up Issy’s face. She missed him. She loved him. She wanted to be with him.
It was time to say goodbye.
There was only one way she could think to do that properly. Grabbing her jacket, she put it on. Then she put on her boots and stood.
She ignored the beeping of the microwave. She’d reheat her heat pack when she got back. This was more important.
* * *
Caley looked out across the small stream where she’d scattered Dave’s ashes. This was one of his favorite places to go. He claimed he thought better when he was here. So it had only been natural for this to be his final resting place.
She thought she’d probably keep this property. Maybe it could be their holiday cottage or something. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Archer was right, she’d always carry a piece of Dave with her. But if she didn’t take this chance with Issy, she’d always regret it.
“I love you, Dave. I always will. And I will never forget you. You were everything to me. My hero. My love. My Daddy. I hope you understand and that you approve of where my life is going now. I think you would. Not sure you’d like Isaac. But he takes care of me. He wouldn’t let anything hurt me. I think he loves me. I love him.” She crouched and pulled off her glove, running her fingers in the freezing cold water.
“Goodbye, my love.”