Page 87 of Falling for the Cowgirl
“Flynn.” The one word was loaded with enough accusation to fuel a steam engine.
Apparently Flynn had told Dylan about everything that had transpired between Ivy and him over the summer. Now Dylan intended to make him pay for breaking his promise not to get involved with her.
Jericho straightened his shoulders, puffed out his chest, and let his arms hang at his sides. “Go on. Hit me. I deserve it.”
Dylan tensed. His nostrils flared. And in the next instant, his fist connected with Jericho’s jaw. The blow knocked his head back and sent him off-balance into the table behind him. Glasses clinked, chairs scraped on the floor, and curses filled the air.
As he righted himself, he rubbed his jaw to ease the sting.
The music and chatter faded, and silence descended throughout the saloon. All eyes were upon him, including Dylan’s. “You broke her heart.”
Jericho didn’t need to ask Dylan to clarify who he was referring to. He knew as plain as daylight. “I didn’t mean for anything to happen—”
“Well, it did, you lowlife rat.” Dylan’s voice rang out in the stillness. “That’s exactly why I made you promise to stay away from her. So you wouldn’t hurt her.”
“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”
“You’re blamed right you ain’t gonna do it again!”
Jericho glanced around at the curious faces and wide eyes all peering at the two of them. He cocked his head toward the door. “Can we take this outside?”
“Reckon the only thing I have left to say to you is get back there to Colorado and make her happy.”
Jericho’s mouth stalled around his response. Dylan was giving him permission to be with Ivy?
“Flynn says she loves you and that she’s in a real bad way without you there.”
“What?” Jericho’s pulse stuttered at the news. What did “real bad” mean? He thought she’d be pleased to have the land, that it would distract her, give her purpose. Hadn’t it been enough?
“He wants me to convince you to return and marry her.”
“Flynn said that?” Jericho itched to swipe up the letter and devour every word so he could hear more about Ivy. “Flynn hates me and would rather see me die a long and painful death than get anywhere near Ivy.”
“I would too.” Dylan spat the words and balled his fists again. “But since she cares about you and needs you to be there for her, then we’ll have to put up with a scalawag like you.” The hard clench of Dylan’s jaw told Jericho his friend wouldn’t be moved.
The trouble was, Jericho couldn’t go back, could he?
He shook his head, but Dylan cut him short with a shove. “Did you sleep with her?”
Heat slapped Jericho in the face. He glanced around again at the crowd hanging on to every word of Dylan’s and his conversation. With Dylan’s newest question, the place grew so quiet he could hear a coin twirling on a table nearby.
“Aw, man!” Dylan’s shoulders slumped and his expression fell for just a second. Then he turned into a raging bear and plowed into Jericho. “I’m gonna kill you.”
Jericho slid back but bumped into the table again. “Holdon!” He held up his hands to ward Dylan off. “I didn’t sleep with her. I vow it.”
Dylan kept coming. “Your promise means nothin’, Bliss. Nothin’!”
“I kissed her a couple of times. That’s all.”
Dylan grabbed at Jericho’s shirt and twisted it hard so the collar began to choke him. He could overpower Dylan if he needed to. But suddenly he didn’t want to. He didn’t want to do anything. Without Ivy he had no motivation to go on. He hadn’t since he’d arrived in Chicago.
As if sensing Jericho’s unwillingness to fight, Dylan loosened his grip and whacked one of his shoulders. “Do you love her?”
Jericho wasn’t sure whether to tell Dylan the truth. But what difference did it make if Dylan knew?
Dylan shook Jericho. “Tell me! Do you love her?”
“Yes.” Jericho could only hang his head, avoiding his friend’s eyes and the disappointment sure to be there.
