Page 365 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t say it. If she did, she’d have to figure out a way to make a life with him. She’d have to give up all of her dreams. She’d have to trust Meadow and River not to abandon her brother on their way to Canada. She couldn’t tell Greg how she really felt—it would kill herspirit.

“I need to breathe,”shesaid.

He rolled onto his side but draped his thigh over hers. He didn’t speak, but she could sense the turmoil in him. They’d worked together in the field long enough that she could read his body language. He didn’t say another word as the stars spun across the sky and the night descended into uttersilence.

* * *

As the firsthint of day turned the sky from black to midnight blue, Daisy rose and pulled her clothes on. When she turned back toward Greg, he was blowing out the candles. He quickly dressed, gathered up the blanket and all other evidence that they’d been in the clearing, then started for the edge of theforest.

“Wait,”shesaid.

“I love you,” he said. “I don’t know what else to do. I can’t stop it. Believe me, Itried.”

He shook his head and pressed his lips together. Her heart broke for him. She’d never wanted to hurt him. She’d never expected that he’d fall in love with her, but he should have known better than to look at her as something more than just a drifter passingthrough.

They walked back toward the tents in silence. She was so caught up in trying to find a way to stop him from hurting that she almost tripped over herbrother.

“What are you doing out here?” Andy asked. When Greg came into view, Andy narrowed hiseyes. “Oh.”

“Wewerejust—”

“Save your lies, Daisy. I don’t want to hear them.” Andy zipped his fly and stomped back tohistent.

“I should go,”Gregsaid.

“I—” She started to speak, but caught Andy’sdirtylook.

“I’ll see you later,”Gregsaid.

After he’d left, Andy walked over to her and grabbed herupperarm.

“I know what you were out there doing,” hesnapped.

“Like you’re any better,”shesaid.

“What are you talkingabout?”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t steal a few kisses from Samantha,”shesaid.

“I haven’t touched her. She’s too young for me. And stop trying to turn this around on me. That guy is not right for you. His family has a huge stick up their asses. They’re nothing like us. I hope you don’t have any delusional ideas about staying with them,”hesaid.

“I don’t,” shefiredback.

“Are you going to come running back here after you leave me in Canada?” heasked.

“No. I know he’s not rightforme.”

“Then why were you out rolling around in the woods with him?” heasked.

“Iwasn’t.”

“You’re such a liar. I deserve better than that from you,”hesaid.

“Are you kidding me?” she asked. “I’m the one helping you get up to Canada. My friends are helping you.Withoutus—”

“Without you, I’d findaway.”

“Fine,” she snapped. “Go without us. Go now. Walk up to the highway and hitch your way up there. I really don’t give a shit what you doanymore.”

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