Page 56 of Christmas with the Cowboy
It had been a perfect storm of events that had brought the matter to a head. Trenna had been unexpectedly accepted into a private university that had been on her what-the-heck-why-not-apply list on the same day that Reed had been arrested for reckless driving. It had been a wake-up call for all involved and their first major fight.
Trenna had stood by Reed, because that was what she did, but her dad’s questions and comments began to take hold. Not that she wanted to major in business and take her place in the family empire. That was the last thing she wanted, but she’d kept thinking about where Reed was going and where was she going.
She loved Reed, but was that enough? Was there anything sadder than a relationship slowly dying due to distance and growing in different directions?
She finally hammered out the deal with her father—she’d part ways with Reed temporarily, and her dad wouldn’t hassle her about minoring in history. Two years later, she’d had enough of the deal. She switched her major to history, abandoning all pretenses of getting a business degree, and Carter cut off funds.
As to Reed—he’d never understood the temporary part of their breakup. Either they were together, or they weren’t, and by the time she was no longer dancing to her father’s tune, Reed was married and had a kid. They had well and truly followed separate paths, and Trenna was able to convince herself that their breakup had been inevitable as her father insisted.
She’d never dreamed those paths would cross again, but they had. Decidedly.
But they were no longer kids, and as unrealistic as it often was, Trenna missed the optimism of youth. Reed had always been so certain that they would make it, no matter what. Now he was the one setting the limits. Telling her that no expectations was the only way to tackle their situation. So realistic. So…
Disappointing?
Trenna wanted to believe as he’d believed back in the day.
She wanted…hell, she didn’t know, which was why the Shardlow thing was tying her in knots.
If no expectations were the name of the game, then she was doing something wrong, because she fully expected to get Reed into her bed again.
Lex released the mare, then turned to Trenna. “You and your dad used to get along?”
“He was my dad and I listened to him. I thought he was larger than life.” She smiled at Lex as they headed for the tack area of the barn. “We had our battles, but I respected his opinion.”
“That’s why you broke up with my dad.”
Trenna managed to keep her jaw from dropping. “Uh…”
“That’s okay. I don’t need a play-by-play.”
“I wasn’t going to give one,” Trenna said with a tentative smile.
Lex gave her an impish grin and changed the subject. “Have you got a Christmas tree yet?”
Thank you, thank you.Trenna didn’t know how much more Reed talk her nerves could take.
“I have one at my apartment in town, but I left it for my friend’s mom and sister, who are staying there.”
“You’re going to be at your cottage for Christmas?”
“I am.”
“You need to get a tree.” She spoke firmly.
“We’ll see,” Trenna said.
“We’ll see?”
“I decorated my apartment, so I don’t have anything left for the cottage. But”—Trenna made an I’ve-got-this gesture with her fist—“I’m good. I can feel holiday joy without a tree.”
Lex gave her a look that made her feel like a Grinch, so Trenna did an abrupt change of subject. “It was fun watching you ride.”
“It was fun being babysat while I ride.”
Trenna opened her mouth to protest but stopped when Lex gave her that Reed-like smile. “Kidding. Safety first. I get it. And…” the girl hesitated, “…thank you for staying so I could ride.”
Trenna screwed her face into a mock scowl. “Of course.” She started for her car, turning to give a small wave as Lex called, “See you tomorrow.”
