Page 3 of Hard Candy Christmas

What was she doing back?

Better yet, when the hell did she get back?

I wanted to ask, wanted to say something, anything, but everything was stuck and refused to come out.

That was very much unlike me.

I licked my lips, feeling my heart stop, only to start again in an erratic pattern. One I wish would stop because I knew it.

This woman walked out of my life ten years ago and never looked back, so I badly wished my heart would learn to stop loving her. But just seeing her, even with the few extra pounds, she never looked more beautiful. That’s also with the scars I easily picked up on.

Wonder where she got those.

“Chase,” she whispered, almost as if she was as surprised to see me as I was her.

“Belinda. You back for good?”

“Yes, sir. If ma and Grandma have me, that is.”

I looked at the two ladies, sure they would want her back. I’m also just as sure they missed her as she’s missed them. She hurt them too; just like she hurt me. And I have to remember that.

“Where’s Mrs. Montgomery?”

“My mom? She’s off with dad looking at horses.”

“No, where’s Tori?”

I frowned for a moment, trying to figure out why she was asking me that and then shook my head. Of course she would have heard about my marriage.

One drunken night and one bad dare led to one of the stupidest mistakes I could have made. That marriage lasted twenty-one days, before Tori dipped out, saying a ranch life wasn’t for her. But, if we were both being honest, it wasn’t that. I didn’t love the woman, even if she loved me. And she wasn’t going to stand for that.

“Tori and I got divorced a few years back.”

“Oh.”

I watched her, seeing a faint pink color dust on her cheeks and I wanted to grin. She thought I was still spoken for. That wanted to make me dance. She still cared!

Then I had to remember she walked out, and she didn’t care.

“I have some Christmas decorations down, B, if you want to help my mom start putting them up. Her hands are bothering her something fierce.”

“Oh, sure. I can help there.” She offered me a smile, one which I couldn’t return.

I could easily see laying my heart back on the line for this woman. And there would be no doubt she would tear it up again. Because she didn’t value it. She didn’t value it before, and I highly doubt she would now.

“Thanks. I’ll be out with my folks.”

Sure, that might have come gruff and cold, but it was fine. I had to make it clear that there was nothing between us. Nor would there be anything between us, even if she did want it.

Now, I just had to get my heart and my head on the same damn page because one still wanted this one while the other knew better.

Three hours later, I took my hat off while in the barn, running my fingers through my sweat coated blonde locks. Working with the horses and their training was tough work; certainly not cut out for sissies.

“Chase.”

I turned, offering a nod to one of my longtime friends.

“Bo, what brings you by?” I told him, offering my hand out for a handshake.

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