Gotta Have You, Cowboy (Ford Brothers Book 2)

Chapter Eight: Charlotte

 I felt lighter than I have since I was a child. I felt freed of pain and regret from my past. I know that Nate was right last night about leaving my past behind. I need to move on from this chapter in my life. I want the gloomy days to pass by, I am ready to see the sunshine again. I am ready to fall in love for real this time. To fallen in love with Nate.

Love, I cannot explain this new feeling inside of me, but I know that it has everything to do with Nate. Could I really be in love with that cowboy? There is no other explanation, I fell for him, and I do not even know when it happened. I fear this new journey that I am taking will end badly, then again if I do not take this chance I could lose him forever. I do not think I could live without him.

I scanned the yard in front of me and the quiet early morning calmed my mind. For once my thoughts were tangled free and clear. I know that I did the right thing in staying in this small town. I love this place and the people here. I have made friends and I found Nate. I still have no idea where we stand, but I am going to enjoy my life.

"Here, now tell us everything." Bella demanded; she shoved a coffee mug into my hands. Maddie passed me a Pop-tart gentler than Bella with the mug full of scorching hot liquid.

"What do you want to know?" I asked. We were outside on Maddie's back porch while the children were eating breakfast in the house. I called Maddie when I discovered that there was no food in Nate's house, and I did not want to be alone. I have been alone long enough.

"What do you mean, what do we want to know. We want it all, the juicier the better. Do not leave anything out either." Bella said from the chair on my left.

"Start with what happened at your house." Maddie added from my other side.

"When I got home from work there was a note on my screen door. It did not look important and when Nate took me home there was another one."

"And you don't know who it's from?" Maddie asked.

"No name other than mine. I wasn't worried till the second one. I didn't like the way it sounded." I said. I told her about the messages in our phone call earlier. I have already told them everything once. What more do they want? I tried to keep the more detailed parts to myself. I still was not ready to tell my friends everything that I did.

"I take it that Nate rode in like a knight in shining armor." Bella laughed.

"I can see that." Maddie joined in the laughter with our crazy best friend.

"He did. He had everything planned. He insisted that I stay with him till we figure something out about those notes." I did not help Nate's case one bit. Maddie and Bella were bent over cackling like two hens. "What?"

"Nothing." Maddie quickly replied.

"I bet he did. What else did he say?" Bella said from between laughs.

"He said that he couldn't live without me, and I am afraid of my feelings for him." I confessed. Their faces instantly sobered up as they stared at me.

"What are your feelings for Nate?" Maddie asked, being the first to recover.

"I might be in love with him. But that's crazy, it is too soon for these emotions." I rushed out stumbling over my words.

"Lucas and I didn't know each other long before I knew that I loved him. He is the best thing that has happened to me, and I thank God every day for him. When you know you know." Maddie told me and I know she means every word.

"Remember what I told you about being friend zoned." Bella warned me and pointed her finger in my face.

"Didn't anyone tell you that pointing is rude. Besides, I don't think I have to worry about it." I replied confidently.