Page 55 of A Cowboy Takes A Chance

“Do you?” Jaxon glanced away from her then back. “Presley, I’m here because—”

“Presley,” someone yelled. “We’re out of ice.”

Presley sighed. “I’m sorry. Let me deal with this, and I’ll be right back. We can go somewhere and talk.”

When he nodded, she headed for the kitchen to take care of the ice problem. She just prayed he’d stay so she could find out why he was here.

****

Jaxon stared at the room full of people. Body to body, they gyrated to the music blaring from the speakers. Not his kind of music. It hurt his ears. He noticed the banner strung up wishing someone congratulations on the new job and he was sure it was for Presley. Leaning back against the door, he straightened up when a beautiful redhead slowly walked toward him, licking her lips.

“Howdy, cowboy,” she purred.

Jaxon put his fingers to his hat. “Ma’am.”

“You look out of place,” she said as she put her hand on his arm.

He stared at her. “You’re right. I am out of place.”

The woman frowned up at him. “That doesn’t mean you have to leave. We could go somewhere and talk.”

“No, thanks.” Shaking his head, he reached for the doorknob behind him and opened the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Back to where I’m not out of place.” He gave a brief nod and left the apartment. Pulling the door closed behind him made him feel as if he’d opened another door to more pain. The pain of living without her. But this was her. She didn’t belong with him in Spring City, and he didn’t belong here with her. There was no way he’d be able to live in Idaho Falls. He was a Montana cowboy and a Montana cowboy he’d always be. He’d just have to learn to live without her. He’d fooled himself into thinking he could get her to leave the big city and return to Montana with him. He shook his head as he walked past the elevator and took the stairs down to the parking garage. The party was for her accepting the job, and he couldn’t ask her to give that up for him.

When he reached the truck he’d rented, he climbed in and called his uncle, Declan.Luckily, he had stayed since Jaxon planned on returning tonight with or without Presley, and it was without her. He just wanted to go home and run the ranch. Jaxon knew he’d see her everywhere on the ranch, but he’d eventually get past it. At least, he hoped so. His heart ached for the love he’d never have, but he’d go on. He’d work the ranch and get on with his life.Without her.Wrapping his fingers around the steering wheel, he gripped it until they hurt. Taking a deep breath, he started the truck, headed out of the garage, and drove to the airport.

Pulling up to the car rental agency, he returned the truck, then walked over to the tarmac where the jet waited on him. Taking a deep breath, he trudged up the steps and past Declan, who stood in the doorway.

“Jax?”

“It’s just me. Let’s go.” Jaxon moved to a seat and sat down. He looked up when his aunt, Catherina stood beside his chair.

“Are you all right?” she asked him.

Starting to nod, he shook his head. “No, but I will be.”

“I hope you’re right, Jaxon but it doesn’t look like it to me. She’s the one for you.” Catherina touched his shoulder.

Jaxon glanced up at her and smiled. “Yes, she is, but this is her life. Not mine. I just want to go home.”

Catherina nodded and walked up front to the cockpit to sit with her husband. She knew Jaxon preferred to be alone right now.

****

Presley sent someone to the store for more ice and made her way back to the living room. She panicked when she didn’t see Jaxon anywhere. He’d be easy to find since he stood taller than anyone else in the room. Quickly glancing around she didn’t see him. Did he leave? Without even saying why he was here? God, she hoped not.

“Hey girl, great party,” a redheaded woman said to her, but Presley couldn’t remember her name.

She forced a smile to her face. “Thank you. Did you happen to see a man here with a cowboy hat?”

“Oh yeah. That man was gorgeous.” She shrugged. “He left though. A shame. I would have loved to save a horse with him.”

Presley gritted her teeth. “Did he say where he was going?”

“He said he was going back to where he wasn’t out of place. I tried to get him to leave with me, but he turned me down. Too bad.” She shook her head.

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