Page 49 of A Cowboy Takes A Chance

“You’re losing me anyway,” she shouted.

“That’s different. So different.” He turned his back to her. “Just go.”

Placing her hand over her mouth, she stared up at him as tears spilled down her cheeks.

“Jaxon—”

“You need to go pack.”

“I love you, Jaxon. You know where to find me if you change your mind.” She was sure she’d never hurt this badly in her life.

“I won’t.” He spun around to face her.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to stem her tears. “Goodbye, Jaxon. Enjoy your lonely life with a dead woman!” She ran from the house and down the steps, leaving theman she loved.All he’d had to do was ask her to stay.

****

Jaxon walked to the window and watched her run down the road until he could no longer see her.Damn it!He couldn’t ask her to stay with him. Life could be ruthless at times. Hell, he knew that firsthand. He’d lost his wife and dream job of bull riding, but he’d adjusted because he loved this ranch. Presley said she loved him. His gut ached thinking of her leaving, but he couldn’t give her what she wanted.God!Howdidhe feel about her? She was the first woman he’d been with since Bethany. Didn’t that say something? He loved it when she was in his bed, and he couldn’t seem to get enough of her. He was chicken shit. So scared of loving and losing someone again.

“Motherfucker!”He turned from the window and stalked to the kitchen. He needed to get out for a while and be alone in the woods. He’d saddle up and take off for a few hours. Away from seeing Presley. Since there were no activities today, he wouldn’t see her anyway and she’d be leaving tomorrow. She had to pack today and plan to get out of here.

Grabbing his hat off the peg, he slapped it on his head and walked out to his truck. After driving to the barn, he climbed out andentered the barn where he saddled Zander then tore out of there to head back toward his place. He rode a trail when he wanted to be alone. As he headed for it, he gave a shrill whistle and Jinks came running down the steps of the porch. This was all he needed—just him, Zander and Jinks. As he rode the trail, he tried his best to keep Presley off his mind, but she kept creeping in. Her beautiful blue eyes would haunt him for the rest of his life, along with her laugh and smile. Her face when her orgasm hit her.Shit!How could he make himself forget her? There was definitely a long, hard climb ahead of him.

Riding Zander down the trail, he glanced back to see Jinks following behind. This was Jaxon’s quiet place. It was a three-mile trail on his property that led to a secluded pond. He’d forged the path two years ago when he’d been forced into retirement from bull riding. Eventually, the trail took shape, and the horse knew it as well as his master did. All Jaxon had to do was hold on. It was so quiet, so peaceful. Usually, but not today. Not when he knew Presley was leaving. She’d be gone tomorrow, and he knew sleep would elude him once she was. Hell, he wouldn’t sleep tonight just thinking about her leaving. Life would never be the same.This is what you get for getting involved with her.

He stopped at the pond and dismounted then walked to the bank and sat down. Zander wouldn’t go anywhere, and Jinks lay beside Jaxon in the tall grass. Damn it. He should never have gotten involved with her. He was just too scared to love another woman. What was it he was feeling for Presley? Love? Lust? No, it was more than desire. If it had been just lust, he would have had her and never thought about any feelings, but therewerefeelings. Emotions he didn’t want to think about because he didn’t want another woman in his heart. Bethany was there and always would be.So make room for Presley. Why is that so hard?

“Hell if I know,” he muttered and lay back in the grass.

****

Presley entered her cabin, ran to the bedroom and threw herself across the bed sobbing. If he would just ask her to stay, she’d give up everything for him. She loved him so much, but he had been honest from the beginning telling her it would only be sex and she thought she could handle that. Never being the type to have a fling, she couldn’t help herself since she’d never forgotten him all these years. Sitting up, she wiped the tears from her face. Maybe he did fraternize with the guests, and she’d been the one this time. No. Shaking her head, she didn’t believe thatbecause of the way he’d acted at first. Angry with himself for wanting her and making it clear about what he was interested in. Sex and sex only. Damn it. She’d come here to think about moving from the ER to the Recovery Unit. It was a job she really wanted, but she also loved working the ER. That was what she needed to think about then she saw Jaxon Callahan again. The man she’d never forgotten. She’d thought of him a lot over the past two years. Now she loved him more than anything. More than the job, she’d been offered. She wanted to stay, but she was not so desperate that she’d stay where she wasn’t wanted.

She fell back on the bed, and tears rolled down her temples. Love hurts. Choking out a laugh as she thought about the old song. She couldn’t believe it was because he was afraid to lose someone again. She could understand being nervous about that but no one knew what the days ahead would bring, and she always thought people should grab hold with both hands and enjoy the ride while you could.Damn him!

Reaching for her cell phone, she called her best friend, Denise. Hearing her voice would help comfort her some.

“Denise—” Her voice caught.

“Pres? What is it?” Denise’s voice was filled with concern.

“I don’t know what to do.”

“About the job?”

“Everything. I’m so confused about all of this. I love Jaxon, but he won’t ask me to stay.”

“Jaxon?”

“Jaxon Callahan. He owns half of the ranch.”

“Oh! That Jaxon. I remember him. He is so gorgeous. Wait. You’re in love with him?”

“Yes. He was in the ER two years ago, and needed surgery because he was in a bad accident—”

“Stop. Back up. What accident?”

“He was brought in because he was in a bad accident. I think I fell in love with him right then. I came here, and he was here.”

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