Page 50 of Horn of Plenty
“That Elverna would never be enough for you—that I would never be enough,” he bit out dryly.
“It’s not like that, Cal. It’s one meeting,” she answered, but deep in her heart, she wanted it to be more. Should she feel guilty for following her dreams? And what was wrong with pursuing more than one opportunity? She loved Eat Elverna. She’d poured her heart and soul into this town. But who was he to tell her that this was all she could have?
He shook his head. “It’s exactly like that. It’s the reason you never stopped carrying around your passport. You were always looking for a way out of here. I was too stupid to see it.”
His words cut to the bone. But he wasn’t wrong. She hadn’t removed her passport from her purse. But that didn’t make her a bad person or any less committed to Elverna—or him.
“Why can’t you be happy for me, Cal? Why do you think I can’t pursue both?”
“Because I know you,” he replied. “The minute you end up in one of those fancy cities you’ve always dreamed about visiting, you’ll never look back. And I can’t protect you there. I can’t protect you if you leave.”
“Protect me?” she questioned.
“Yes, to protect you and to provide for you. I love you, Mabel. I need you here with me. I made a promise to your brother.”
She took a step back. She wasn’t some obligation, and she sure as hell was not about to let him bring Jamie into this.
“My brother has nothing to do with us!” she parried back as Mabel the Cat scampered across the desk. The kitten stepped on the laptop’s keyboard, and a new page appeared on the screen, opening up a social media account that didn’t belong to the town.
But one she’d never forget.
“Oh my God!” she exclaimed, her heart hammering as the account for Castle King—the very Castle King who’d ruined her prospects weeks ago appeared. “It’s you?” she shrieked, pointing at the laptop.
“What are you talking about?” Cal questioned, his gaze bouncing from the screen then back to her.
Could he not see that the ruse was up?
Her eyes grew bleary with hot tears. If anyone wanted her home, it was the man who tallied each day of her absence.
“Mabel!” he exclaimed. “What is the Castle King?”
A wave of nausea washed over her as she stormed out of the cottage. “It’s on your laptop, Cal!”
“Slow down!” he called, but there was no stopping her. She’d seen enough.
“Can’t we talk about this?” he pleaded.
Talk about ruining her life? That was rich!
Fuming, she ignored him, but he followed her into the main house as she stomped up to her room. Without acknowledging his looming presence, she opened her closet and grabbed a few dresses, then laid them on the bed.
“What are you doing?” he asked, looking completely dumbfounded.
The nerve! As if he had any right to question her!
She pulled her suitcase out next. “Packing, Cal! I’m packing.”
She blinked back angry tears as she gathered what she’d need in New York.
He paced the length of her room. “You have to be joking.”
She pointed to the suitcase. “Does this look like a joke?”
“You’re leaving for New York now?” he asked, his cheeks red with irritation.
“Why, yes! Aren’t you quick on the uptake!” She couldn’t stay here another minute. She’d take the bus into Chicago and book the next flight out. She wasn’t destitute. She had plenty of money in her account.
“Stop acting crazy!” Cal chided, and his tone did nothing to quell her anger.
