Page 7 of Love, Hate, Love

“You’re wrong,” he said, digging in. “People with hearts like hers don’t change. Remember how she used to save all the abandoned bunnies and every other damned little critter who was hurt or sick? You don’t go from that to a monster. I think you want her so much that you’d rather think the worst to dull any feelings because the world might burn down around you if you cared.”

“Except I don’t care. We both know who she is, who’s she’s always been, and nothing will change that.” There was a short pause as I dragged up the past again. “She could’ve cost me this ranch.” Alec had never wanted anything to do with this place, so of course he wouldn’t care.

“You’ve always blamed her for that situation, and for the record, you’re wrong about that too. Even if you aren’t, she was a fuckingkid,” he said, rehashing the argument we’d had many times. “And while we’re on the subject of the ranch, I’m clearing my schedule for a visit.”

“This is not a sideshow. Do. Not. Come.”

“Fuck off. I’m coming.” He hung up before I could beat him to the end button.

How the hell I was going to make it a year with her here?

Distance. That was how. I’d delegate all my interactions to Chuck. If I didn’t, she’d ruin me.

Chapter4

Leah

The shed didn’t lookany better in the morning, everything looking like it had come out of a Goodwill clearance sale twenty years ago. The sunlight, even filtered as it was through a thick film of grime, showed every stain on the green carpet, and how long the spiders had been tenants. The place had so many dust bunnies that it was as if they’d been banging like the real things. My suitcase was in the middle of the room, looking like a safer bet to store my clothes than the swelled particleboard thing in the corner, trying to pass itself off as a dresser. The twin bed had a mauve comforter and a pillow so flat that my back felt like it had aged fifty years in one night. I wasn’t a stranger to roughing it, but this wasn’t just frugal. This wasI don’t give a shit.

I’d sweep it out, borrow some glass cleaner, and go on. I was here for a year. I could survive anything for a year, includinghim.

Worse than the discomfort of this place, my bladder felt like a water balloon with a pin poised at its surface. This was what I got for wanting to avoid meeting my new coworkers last night.

It wasn’t barely dawn. Did I bust in there now and sprint to find the bathroom?

Too awkward. I’d risk the bushes instead. I walked around to the side, hiding behind a nice, tall row of hedges.

I was squatting down, feeling a relief I hadn’t imagined possible, when I heard footsteps.

I scrambled to stand up and fell over instead, my legs getting tangled in my pants at my ankles.

“You okay in there?” a man called out.

I froze. There was no ignoring him. If I didn’t answer, he’d think he had to climb in after me and save me.

“I’m good,” I squealed, my tone indicating pure humiliation.

“I’m Chuck,” he replied. “I’ll be over at the bunkhouse making coffee when you’re done.”

“Okay.” I was already done. Now I was just hiding.

Oh noooo, did he think I was pooping? I scrambled to my feet so fast that I banged into the hedges as I scrambled out, rushing to get to the bunkhouse as fast as possible now.

I stepped into the bunkhouse. There were couches around a large, rolled-down screen on one wall. Several doors were closed and another was open, hinting at a bathroom.

An older man with a gray beard was in the kitchen area of a large main room, brewing coffee.

I smiled hesitantly.

“You’re Leah, right?” He had a gruff voice and crinkles near his eyes, which made him look like he was quick with a smile.

“Yes.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m the foreman here.”

“Nice to meet you, too.”

“Want a cup?” He was already grabbing a mug and filling it up for me before it finished dripping.

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