Page 58 of Cowboy's Healing Heart

"You don't hold anything," I growl. "Now leave before I make you leave."

"No need for violence. I'm going." Jordan holds up his hands, still smirking. "But, Krystal, the deadline remains."

He turns and walks away. I close the door, straining to control my anger. When I turn back to Krystal, she's leaning against the wall, her face in her hands.

"Krystal," I say softly, moving towards her.

She looks up, her eyes filled with tears and fury. "Don't. Just... don't."

I stop, my hands falling to my sides. The distance between us feels insurmountable.

"I think you should go," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Krystal, please?—"

"Go, Shane." Her voice is stronger now, final. "I need time to think."

I nod, my heart heavy. As I reach for the door, I turn back. "For what it's worth, I never meant to hurt you. Or Ashanti."

She doesn't respond, just turns away. I step out, closing the door behind me. The click of the lock feels like the end of something I never knew I wanted so badly.

As I walk back to the bunkhouse, my mind races. Jordan knows who I am now. My father knows about Krystal. And Krystal... Krystal might never trust me again.

I reach my door, but I can't bring myself to go inside. Instead, I sink down onto the porch steps, my head in my hands. I feel completely lost.

The sound of footsteps makes me look up. Tom stands there, concern etched on his weathered face.

"You alright, son?" he asks.

I laugh, but there's no humor in it. "Not even close."

Tom sits down next to me, his presence solid and reassuring. "Want to talk about it?"

I look out over the ranch at the life I've come to love. At the life, I might have just lost. "I don't even know where to begin."

TWELVE

A HEART DIVIDED

KRYSTAL

I sitat the long dining table, surrounded by Shane's family, feeling like I've stepped into another world.

The china clinks softly as we eat, the sound echoing in the tense silence. Shane's father, Richard, sits at the head of the table, his piercing gaze sweeping over us all. Courtney, Shane's ex-fiancée, sits across from me, her perfect smile never wavering.

I stare at the extravagant setup around me. The ranch's main house has been transformed into a scene straight out of a high-society dinner party. Five courses, china clinking, and everyone dressed to the nines. I roll my eyes, ready to get out of this dress and back in my jeans and boots.

"So, Krystal," Richard says, his voice cutting through the quiet, "Shane tells me you're a mechanic."

I nod, swallowing a bite of food. "Yes, sir. I specialize in heavy machinery."

Richard's eyebrow arches. "Interesting career choice for a woman."

I force a smile. "It's a challenging field, but I enjoy it."

Courtney leans forward, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulder with practiced ease. "How... charming. I suppose hard work comes with a certain appeal, doesn't it?"

I grip my fork tighter, fighting the urge to snap back. Shane's hand finds mine under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze. I glance at him, but his face is unreadable, his jaw set in a hard line.

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