Page 37 of Promise You Forever

She’s lying. She can never look you in the face when she lies. My chest squeezes as I try to figure out why she’d be lying to me about this. Is it because she’s going to sell? Or because she doesn’t trust me?

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you still engaged?”

Her lips flatten into a straight line, and for a second I think she’s going to lie to me again. Or tell me to get fucked. Rightfully so. This really isn’t my business.

“No,” she says quietly. “You don’t have to feel guilty about the kiss.”

“Do you think I feel guilty?”

“I don’t know, why else would you ask me that?”

I walk forward and place my palms on the desk, leaning over until I’m inches from her. “I don’t feel guilty, and even if you had said that you were engaged, I wouldn’t feel guilty. I just wanted to know how many obstacles I’d have to overcome to get you back. Brent was never a concern.”

“You still have the biggest hurdle of all to clear, though.”

“What’s that?”

“Me.”

Fifteen

ELI

Telling Luke that I’m his biggest obstacle seems to have done the trick. Another few weeks have passed by with him respecting my boundaries and me clinging to them. Because the more helpful and respectful he is, the harder it is to remember how much he hurt me in the past.

I think I finally have a good handle on how things work on the ranch. I have all the accounts current and have finalized transferring everything into my name. From a business standpoint I’m set.

What needs my attention now are daily operations. There could be a chance that Luke will want to walk away from the ranch someday. Maybe he’s decided not to pursue me, which is fine by me. The last thing I need is to find myself entangled in a relationship. The ranch and work are all I have time for.

In a couple weeks Amber is coming out for Thanksgiving. We’re just going to spend time together, maybe ski a few days,and both get some real relaxation in. But in the meantime, I’m going to need to spend more time out with the guys during the day. I have enough practical knowledge to help out with daily chores but not enough to take over someday.

With all that in mind, I layer up against the cold. The wind cuts through me as I head across the backyard toward the barns and stable. The cattle are all bunched up together around the round feeder eating to keep warm. I don’t see anyone tending to them, so I keep walking.

I don’t find anyone until I come across Colt pulling blankets for some of the horses.

“Can I help?”

He looks over and smiles at me. “Of course. I need help with Clover, she always fights us.”

“Should she have a blanket if she doesn’t like it? Won’t that stress her out?”

“It’s better to get it on during the day that way Luke isn’t trudging out here in the middle of the night because she’s whinnying and shivering.” He opens the door to her stall, and I follow him inside.

“I didn’t realize horses shiver.”

“Yep.” He slides a biscuit out of his pocket. “You’re gonna be a good girl, aren’t you, Clo?” he croons to her as she happily chomps on the treat. “Stay between me and the wall.” He gestures to where he wants me with his head.

“Here?” I ask, following his instructions.

“Perfect. I have a theory that she doesn’t like the sound of the velcro, so Luke bought a blanket with buckles instead. None of us have used it.” He holds the blanket up to her nose so she can smell it. “See, nothing scary. It’s just going to keep warm.”

Clover’s eyes grow huge as he walks to her side and tosses the blanket over her. She prances away, lifting her front hooves slightly off the ground in a little bounce.

“Whoa.” His voice is low and calm while he runs his hand over her neck. “Whoa.” He waits until she calms down to reach under her and thread the straps through the buckles. “Do you want to try to get the one around her neck?”

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