Page 97 of Tough Love

“I mean, I’m leaving in a few weeks. Harry was right.” Her words are sharp.

And they fucking hurt.

“You can’t be serious, Addy?” Every syllable burns up my throat. But it’s the truth—she’s leaving. She won’t have a job after the contract. There is no way Justin is going to sign off on an extension—he fucking hates me, and she barely tolerates him. “It was because I am taking over the ranch and the business. That includes the clinic. I never wanted to be your boss. And being involved would have complicated things.”

“Well, I don’t want to be some city girl who strung you along and broke your heart.”

I stare at her stunned for a heartbeat. She thinks this was all some defensive move? What the hell? How fucking good has that douchebag worked her over that she thinks all this is some fancy charade to blow her off? And am I okay with her going back to the city with him? No. Definitely not. But here with me is not her best option, either. She should have better choices than a ranch life and no career to speak of.

“Right,” I utter.

“So, this is it. Your roundup is over, you have your foals. I’m supposed to leave like nothing happened here?”

I can’t say what I want to... Just can’t.

“You probably should.”

Her chin wobbles but she nods. “I’ll be back in a week to take out Charlie’s stitches and check the mares and foals. Text me if anything comes up.”

I nod and stare at the fireplace. If I look at her, I’m gonna lose it. Most likely beg her to stay, and I’m not a begging man. Won’t make a scene. She deserves better.

“Good night, Rawlins.”

I grind my jaw shut. Fuck. Why does that hurt like nothing else?

She turns and heads for the door. When she crosses the threshold, she glances over her shoulder. Silver lines her eyes.

Jesus Christ.

I’m a fucking asshole.

But it’s for the best. And Adeline Howard deserves nothing less. When Reed’s truck door slams and he pulls away from the house, I take in this big old house that I’m gonna have to knock around in by myself. I watch my heart leave in my brother’s truck. And I am never getting it back.

Charlie wags his tail so hard, I swear that furry little butt with pop right off. Addy walks up the steps and her gaze finds him straight away. He huddles into her lap when she kneels on the porch and extends her arms to him. His little heart will be shattered on the ground next to mine when he realizes she ain’t coming back after this visit.

Addy doesn’t look at me... That’s how I know this is over.

I set my face in stone and walk back into the house. I can’t be around her right now. Or I’ll say something fucking stupid, likestay. If the last seven days have been anything to go off, after this visit and she is out of my life forever, I suspect simply breathing in the mountain air is goin’ to be painful.

I busy myself with the kitchen install. The cupboards, sink insert, and stone countertop lie around the living room floor. I slide another cabinet into place and screw the batons in the wall. It’s the design Addy drew up, with the finish that I have imagined since I started this project.

Now the heart of my home is now tied to her. Fitting. Another blow. I close the doors and stand up before setting the drill down. The counter section with the sink goes next. I manhandle it into position by the cupboard. I put in place and shuffle it around until it is flush against the back wall and neighboring unit.

“He’s all good. Keep him out of the mud and the like so the site doesn’t get infected.” I turn back. She is studying the kitchen progress and a small, sad smile blooms over her sweet lips. Most likely she has figured out the design is hers. The layout is exactly the same. “I like your choice of finish. It suits the house.” Her words are weak, and she tucks her hair behind her ear, breaking eye contact.

“Charlie’s alright, then?”

“Yeah,” she whispers. She rocks on her feet, looking like she wants to say something else.

And when the silence doesn’t end, I say, “Reed’s probably waiting. See you around, Addy.”

“Sure, see you around.”

She turns on her heel and walks out the door. When the car door closes, I turn back to my work, flinging the new doors open on the sink unit, grabbing up a bunch of screws to secure it to the wall. The front door opens, and I freeze.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Huddo?”

“Leave it alone, Reed,” I say from the depths of the cupboard, drilling in a screw and then the next.

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