"Sweetie," he said trying to charm her with his silvery-blue eyes. "I didn't tell you because I wanted information first."
She rubbed her eyes. "It still feels like you are trying to protect me from the big bad world."
"What's wrong with that?"
"I'm a grown woman who can handle life, unpleasant or not. You have to stop treating me like a child by playing the part of my protector."
"I don't."
"Yes, you do. We've been dating for over a month and I can count the number of times we've kissed on one hand. This is not a relationship. You see me as the girl who tagged along with you and granddaddy while riding horses, while mending barn roofs and fences. Garrett, I am a woman. Why can't you see that? Why can't anyone in this town see that?"
"Trust me, Caitlin," he said, gently taking her hand. "When I look at you, I see a remarkable woman." He paused as if looking for the right sequence of words. "Anything I say will sound like an excuse. I'm scared of moving too fast or too slow and hurting you. I need and want you in my life. Can you understand that?"
"Yes and no. Relationships involve risk, but I'm willing to take the chance. You can't protect me from a possible broken heart." She took his hand. "I want love. A true romance. I want you to love me like a man loves a woman, both emotionally and physically." She squeezed his hand but he continued looking down. "Look at me, Garrett. Can we move forward? Last night I almost came to your room, because I needed to feel your arms around me. I needed to feel safe and loved. If you had pushed me away it would have hurt worse than staying alone." With a deep breath, she smiled. "I love you, but you need to treat me like your girlfriend."
"You love me?" he said, surprised.
"Yes. Why does that surprise you?"
He never answered as he headed out of the kitchen towards the den. Caitlin watched him leave, her heart breaking. "Why does he fear love with me?" Though she detested the idea of leaving, her heart said they both needed time and space. Her head drooped and her shoulders sank. "Garrett," she said, trying not to cry. "I'm going to Richmond for a couple of weeks. It's time to tie up loose ends."