Page 35 of A Cowboy Takes A Chance

“I fell in love in a week with a man who has no desire to fall in love at all,” she muttered.

Taking a deep breath, she washed then turned off the water and stepped from the shower. Wrapping a towel around her hair, she dried off with another one then wrapped it around her and tucked it in by her breasts. Walking to the living room, she turned on the TV. It was late, but she knew she wouldn’t sleep. Looking at the clock on the mantle, she saw it was almost one. The dance had ended at midnight, but she and Jaxon had met up at eleven. Now here she sat without him. Miserable. She should still be in his bed.

“Damn you, Jaxon Callahan.” She wanted to shout it but wasn’t sure the other guests wouldn’t hear her. Punching the sofa, she picked up a pillow and threw it across the room then scooched down, raised her legs, and stretched out. Closing her eyes tightly, she prayed for sleep to come soon.

****

Monday morning, Jaxon entered the barn to see the guests waiting on him. He was leading the trail ride again today. Some Mondays, he stayed around the barn but today he wanted to get out. Yesterday hadbeen the longest day of his life. He’d watched TV, or at least tried to, or he swam laps. He’d even tried taking a nap but sleep wouldn’t come, even though the night before had him tossing and turning. He was now running on no sleep but getting out in the fresh air would, he hoped, clear his head.

“Are you all right?” Devin asked from beside him.

“Yeah. Just tired.”

Devin gave him a sly grin. “Tired, huh?”

Jaxon glared at him. “I didn’t sleep, but not for the reason you’re thinking. We had a fight, and she walked out.”

“Shit. Been there done that.”

Jaxon couldn’t stop the chuckle. “Yeah, I know, but you’re happy now. Willa’s crazy about you.”

“Took her damn long enough to see it,” Devin muttered as he walked away.

Taking a deep breath, Jaxon listened as Devin welcomed the new guests then he stepped forward and did his usual spiel. The ranch hands brought the horses out, and everyone mounted up. Jaxon kept glancing over his shoulder, but Presley never entered the barn. Disappointment rolled through him, but what had he expected? She’d been pissed Saturday night when she’d stormed out and after the way he’d treated her, he really couldn’t blame her. Grabbing thesaddle horn, he hoisted himself onto the saddle and signaled for everyone to follow Chip out.

Jaxon knew he could have had Devin take this one or one of the ranch hands, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to stick around the ranch and risk seeing Presley. She could do whatever she wanted. It wasn’t a requirement to take part in anything while there. Purely optional, but he’d been hoping to see her walk into the barn and wanting to go on the ride.

Settling his hat on his head, he watched each person ride past on their horse. A few of the women smiled at him. Putting his fingers to his hat, he nodded but he sure as hell didn’t want to encourage any of them. He frowned as he looked at the group, then rode back into the barn.

“Dev,” he called out to his brother who was just about out the other end.

Devin spun around and frowned up at him. “Something wrong?”

“Am I crazy, or are there more women on this trail ride?”

“I know. I checked, and there are more singles this week. Only four married couples. You have one couple with you. If only a few married couples go on the overnight trips, we’ll have to add some ranch hands to go along.”

“All right. I’ll see you later.” Jaxon turned Zander and nudged him into a run to catch up.

****

Presley sat on the porch swing staring at the mountains. She had no clue what she would do today. She didn’t go on the trail ride because she was afraid Jaxon would be leading it and she wasn’t sure she wanted to face him yet. She’d been so hurt and angry Saturday night that she hadn’t left the cabin at all yesterday for fear of seeing him. He was so hardheaded about the entire situation. Why couldn’t he let go of the past? Why couldn’t he let go of his wife? Sure, he loved her but she was gone and although Presley hadn’t known her, she couldn’t imagine anyone not wanting who they left behind to find someone new. Thinking back to the night they’d brought him into the ER, he’d been irritable and angry. Continuously shouting and telling everyone to leave him alone. When the doctor told him he needed emergency surgery, Jaxon had yelled he didn’t want any surgery but his family had arrived and talked him into it. Presley had felt so bad for him when she heard his wife had died in the accident.

Sighing, she decided to eat breakfast at the lodge. Stepping off the porch, she walked down the road. Glancing around, she didn’tsee anyone else around. Of course, not everyone ate at the lodge, and most may be on the ride or working the ranch. No way was she doing that activity. Looking toward the barn when she got closer to it, she didn’t see anyone so she climbed the steps to the lodge and entered to find a table. She spotted Willa Callahan talking with Josie by the buffet. Presley headed there.

“Hi,” she said as she picked up a plate.

“Hi, Presley. Good to see you again. Did you enjoy the dance on Saturday night?” Willa asked her.

Presley could feel the heat pour into her cheeks. “Yes, thank you.” She glanced around. “I’ve never seen it so empty in here.”

Willa laughed. “Everyone has already been here. They were all early this morning. Devin has twelve people working the ranch, Jaxon took fourteen people on the trail ride, and the rest are hiking or whatever. Four married couples and the rest are singles. We have a total of sixty-five people this week. Including you. A lot of singles this week, and most of them are women.”

“And I missed them all?” Presley laughed.

“Yep, but if you don’t mind sharing a table, I haven’t eaten yet.”

“I’d love it, Willa.” Presley filled her plate, walked to a table, and took a seat. Willa sat down next to her.

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