Page 81 of Nashville Cowboy
Jackson scowled, grunted, and then got the hell out of Dodge.
* * *
Deep,even breaths.
Eve had watched as Jackson piled Winona’s luggage in the truck’s bed and they’d both left in a hurry. Why was he in such a hurry to get rid of her? Did she have news for him, like she was pregnant with their child? Eve drew in a sharp breath. Everything in her life could be upended again, just when she and Jackson had started something. She’d have to step aside, this time for an innocent child.
Eve went for a long ride with Thimble and tried to cool her temper but that didn’t work this time. Ever since her meltdown, her anger wasn’t staying below the surface. She couldn’t tamp it down and ignore it. Her therapist had told her that righteous anger was a good thing. The problem became when a person wasn’t angry at a person or situation, but instead was simply an angry person to begin with. That’s where she’d been years ago and refused to become that woman again.
However, she told herself, thinking even her therapist would agree, she was angry atWinona James. This might be just fine. Who showed up out of the blue the way she had, without an invitation?
Hopping off and holding Thimble’s reins, she led her back into the stables and unsaddled her. She bent to pick up the bucket containing the brushes and hoof pick. Right now, she craved routine. Comfort. Watching that beautiful woman jump into Jackson’s arms took her back in time to a dark place. After seeing the photo of Winona and Jackson, she’d sat in the parking lot of the Piggy Wiggly and made the biggest knee-jerk mistake of her life. She’d called Matt even though every instinct told her not to.
Her heart and mind knew it wasn’t her fault. Nothing Matt had done could be excused by her own behavior. But she should have never called him in the first place as a reaction to seeing that photo of Jackson and Winona in the supermarket tabloid. Another rash decision made in the heat of the moment that had changed the trajectory of her life. But she’d been lonely and in such pain from losing Jackson. She had to be kinder to herself. Forgiving. This was what the therapist had told her.
That was then, this is now.
Yes, butshe’shere. Why? Eve wasn’t ready to fight for anyone but herself. She’d carved a precious life in Stone Ridge, straight out of smoke and ashes. And she would cling to that reality because it was all she had. Now, she could support herself with the solid and respectable living she made as a veterinarian. Jackson was no longer her entire world.
“Sometimes I’m afraid I’m going to lose myself in him again,” she spoke softly to Thimble as she brushed her body with the bristle brush. “That’s how it’s always been with us. Because when we’re together it’s addicting. He’s larger than life and he takes my breath. Bet you wish you had my problems, right? And maybe I wish someone would brushmymane every day.”
“Baby, if you want me to brush your hair every day just ask.”
Eve jumped at the sexy baritone sound of Jackson’s voice in her good ear. She hadn’t even heard the truck pull up. Then he did something even sexier. He picked up a brush and started on Thimble’s other side.
“I know you have a hundred questions dancing around in your head right now so let me hear it.”
“Your ex-wife is very beautiful.” She started with the question that had been simmering on a low flame. “Did you invite her here?”
“Why would I? She just showed up. That’s what she does.”
“No one shows up like that unless they think someone will be happy to see them.”
“Did Ilookhappy?”
“You looked…shocked.”
“Exactly, because Winona has a way of showing up unannounced and making trouble.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have married her if you felt that way.”
“When I married her, Eve, I was at the lowest point of my life. Still drinkin’ too much. Still hurting. Winona is ten years older than me and I was just a country bumpkin to her.”
“You said you hadn’t talked to her in months.”
“I haven’t.”
“How can she just show up like that, with no encouragement?” Eve brushed Thimble harder. “I’m not sure I believe you.”
“I won’t ever lie to you. I told Winona we have no secrets between us anymore. Lies are a big deal, especially since we just forgave each other for a lot of crap. If you lie to me, you’re going to piss me off.”
“I’m not the one who’s lyin’!” She shot back.
“Neither am I!”
“Where did you take her? She can stay here, if you’d like.”
“Why wouldyouwant her to stay?”
