Page 51 of A Cowboy Takes A Chance

That was big of him.Some people might be sad to see her go, and she hoped Jaxon was one of them. Placing her hands over her face as more tears spilled down her cheeks, she knew she was going to miss him so very much. Taking a deep breath, she pushed to her feet and pulled her suitcases out and began to pack. If it weren’t so late in the day, she’d leave now but she hated driving late into the night. She’d set the alarm for four and go. The sooner, the better.

Four-thirty the next morning, Presley drove onto the road and away from Bur Oak ranch. Her heart was breaking, and she couldn’t stop the flow of tears. How was she going to go on without Jaxon in her life?If you had just stayed away from him, this wouldn’t be so hard!

Driving slowly along the dark road, she kept an eye out for animals. Being in the country, she knew they could pop out at any time. Maybe she should have waited until daylight, but she wanted to go as soon as she was able. She hadn’t slept at all, so why notgo? Leave the man she loved behind and just go. A sob tore from her chest, and tears rolled down her cheeks. Life just wasn’t fair. Taking a deep breath, she drove through the little town of Spring City, Montana. The only lights were from her headlights and streetlamps. Glancing around, she tried to burn the image into her brain. She never wanted to forget her time here. Maybe when she got a vacation next year…no. She knew she’d never come back.

Three hours later, she was halfway home and hadn’t cried any more tears in at least half an hour. Reaching over to turn the radio up, she almost turned it off. A favorite song of hers came on, and although she knew it was a heartbreaker, she couldn’t help but listen to it.I Would’ve Loved You Anywayby Trisha Yearwood said everything Presley was feeling. Even if she had known her heart would be break, she would have loved Jaxon anyway. She wouldn’t trade any of her time with him for anything. He was the man she’d love until she took her last breath and beyond. As the song played, fresh tears rolled down her face to the point she had to pull off the road and throw the gear into Park.Damn song!It was a tearjerker even if someone wasn’t going through it but hearing it now had her sobbing so hard her body shook. Leaning her forehead against the steering wheel, shecried. When the song ended, she tilted her head back and wiped the tears away. After checking traffic, she put the gear into Drive and pulled onto the road then drove home to start her life without Jaxon Callahan.

****

Jaxon saddled horses in the barn for the camping trip. Fifteen people were going. Make that fourteen. One wouldn’t be going. Hell. He’d been up all night, and he just hoped he didn’t fall asleep in the saddle and tumble from Zander.

“Jax?”

Turning, he saw Devin striding toward him. “Yeah?”

“I just heard that Presley left early.”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

Jaxon looked at his brother. “She has a job to get back to.”

“I was under the impression she’d possibly be staying on.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’re in love with her.”

“No, I’m not.”

“The hell you aren’t. Let Bethany go so you can be with Presley.”

Jaxon shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”

“The hell it doesn’t.”

“Leave it alone, Dev.” He turned to adjust the cinch on the saddle.

“Jax? Why did you let her go?”

Jaxon spun to face Devin. “I let her go because I’m afraid to love again. I already lost the love of my life and I can’t lose someone again.”

“You already have,” Devin said quietly.

“Let it go, Devin.”Presley had said the same thing.

“Go after her. She loves you. Hell, I asked Willa to stay.”

“I know, but Willa was more than ready to get away from her job.”

“So you’re saying she only stayed to get away from Rocky?”

“No. Willa loves you—”

“Just as Presley loves you. You should have asked her to stay. You told me to ask Willa to stay when I had doubts about it. I did, and I’ve never regretted it. She’s the love of my life. Presley is yours. Go get her back.”

“I already had the love of my life, and I lost her. I’m busy. Go away.”

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