Vance’s fingers locked with mine as I began to step into the narrow aisle. “He’s getting worse, isn’t he?”

I knew he was talking about Pa, and he knew without me having to confirm it, because everyone else knew no tobacco farmer in his right mind would ruin a bountiful harvest the way Pa had.

“Thanks for checking on me.” I gave Vance’s hand a squeeze, tugging him to his feet and walking him out.

“Just because you won’t talk to me about Dave doesn’t change the fact that he’s not well.” Vance gestured toward the small podium before I closed the door. “Even today it was pretty clear.”

Sighing, I tucked my hair behind my ear and gazed past his shiny black truck. “I need to go check on everyone.”

“May I come with you?” There he went, trying to wiggle his way back in.

I jabbed a finger against his chest once in warning and started walking backward. “How many times do I gotta tell you that it’s for your own good that you get from here and not come back?”

Vance grabbed my wrist and hauled me against his chest as he moved us to the shaded side of the chapel. “What about me, Austin, and what I want?” Vance asked in a steely voice. “Ask me if I’m okay?” When I remained quiet, he answered for me. “I’m not!”

There were no answers I could offer for comfort or for whatever he needed, so I slammed my lips against his and kissed him like my life depended on it. It was frantic. Desperate. A strangled groan rose from deep within him as Vance pushed closer, his hands tangled in my hair, anchoring us to the side of the building. The kiss was bruising to both my lips and heart. The entire push and pull of being with this man always left me bruised.

Even though I swore to myself that it was for the best to leave him alone and to be an adult about it, I gave in to my selfishness for a spell as we hid in the shade of the magnolia tree in the side yard. No, the kissing and clinging to each other didn’t magically make us okay, but at least the bleakness ebbed briefly.

“I don’t want to walk away from you, Austin. You’re important to me, and you always will be. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to work things out between us,” Vance declared sternly even as his fingertips gliding along my cheeks delivered a delicate caress.

“I can’t do this right now . . .” My bottom lip wobbled, so I turned my head and pressed a kiss to his palm to conceal it.

Vance dropped his hand and whispered an oath.