Page 127 of Never Left You

My heart stopped, literally skipping a beat before I processed what she had said. I knew she loved me, this past weekend proved that, but the words hitting my ears, creating my entire body to warm and melt in her arms. She loved me, shelovedme. Moving my hands to tilt her head to me, I kissed her again, slow and smooth, tasting every inch of her and memorizing it. “I love you, Abi. More than anything.”

“Come home soon,” she murmured. “I don’t have anyone else to throw brushes at.”

I laughed, kissing her again. “I’ll be home soon. I love you. I love you. I,” I kissed her, “love,” I kissed her again, deeper this time, “you.”

She hummed, taking a step back from me, watching as I got in my rig…and slowly left Hartwell Hills Ranch.

Thirty-Nine

Abi

Iwalkedthequartermile to Rhett’s cabin, praying that he was still there since he didn’t arrive for breakfast at the main house. I stuck my hands in my pockets, running through the conversation in my head and what I would tell him. Down to each word.

I think you should take the majority of the ranch; I know Dad thinks I should get it, but I don’t want it. This is your life, your home, you love this place more than anything…Your heart is this place. My heart is with Stetson, with the stables, with the rodeos…with Cash.

It was all going to go smoothly, a quick conversation that would end with us gathering Lachlan and Wyatt, and meeting my dad in his study to sign the deed. Then I’d wait patiently for Cash to come home and start my life over again. It was all going to go…

“Hey Abi—” Rhett flung the door to his cabin open before I even got a chance to take the first step. He had his Thermos in hand, ready for his day. And here I was, about to block it.

“I don’t want the ranch,” I blurted out.

I squinted my eyes and stomped my foot in my head. So much for running through each and every word on the walk over.

“I’m sorry…what?” he asked, his voice unsteady.

I took a deep breath, licked my lips, and then looked at my brother. He was dressed for work—his tan hat perched on his head, his Wrangler jeans already covered in dirt, and his shirt tucked in with the sleeves rolled up. Behind him, Kyla leaned on the door frame, still wearing a nightgown, a small bump finally forming on her belly. She saw me and smiled.

“Can we talk?” I ask, going back to my brother.

Rhett nodded. “Yeah, porch or inside?”

“Inside. I have a feeling you have more coffee, and I could use some.” I bolted past him, giving Kyla a knowing look before I helped myself to their kitchen.

“Is this a conversation we need Lachlan for?” Rhett asked, lightly closing the door behind him.

“Nope. He knows.” I grabbed a mug, grabbed the carafe, and poured myself a fresh cup of black coffee like it was whiskey instead. This wasn’t even a bad conversation. It was a good thing. I knew what I wanted, I was giving Rhett what he wanted, and we were going to move away from it. I was making it out to be a bigger deal than it really was.

“And was that Cash who left just now?” Kyla chimed in, running her hands on Rhett’s shoulders as he took a seat on his kitchen island.

“Yup. He’ll be back.” I took a long gulp of coffee; actually thankful it had time to sit before I burned my throat.

“Okay, we’re starting over. You don’t want the ranch?” Rhett asked, his eyes meeting mine with a small hint of hope resting behind the blue.

I nodded. “Nope. I do not want that much of the ranch.”

Kyla’s tight lips formed a smile. “I’ll let you two talk.” She kissed her husband on the cheek before vanishing into their bedroom.

I looked at my brother. “You need it. Not me.”

“Dad has a point,” he began. “You know the ranch’s numbers inside and out. You know the horses’ schedules. You know when to feed the animals. You know—”

“Everything, yeah I know everything there is to know about Hartwell Hills but Rhett…I don’t want to know everything. I don't want to be the go to person.” I slumped, rolling my eyes at myself.

“Abi…why not?”

I had already told this story once. May as well tell it again.

“I had nothing else when Sylas died. I had nothing except the ranch and Stetson. I didn’t want to be a depressed, grieving widow, so…I poured myself into what I had. Now…years later I’m miserable, finally discovering what I want again, falling in love and speaking up. I don’t want to do this for the rest of my life.” I could feel the tears coming, just as strong as they were the night with Cash. “I know what I want, and I need to get you on board before we talk to Dad.”

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