Page 54 of Take Me Please, Cowboy
Josie shook her head.“No.She’s perfect for you, perfect in every way.But I think you’re scared.”
He scowled.“I’m not scared.”
“I think you are afraid she’ll break your heart.But, Rye, she’s not the one breaking your heart.You’re doing that all by yourself.”
“That’s ridiculous,” he said, starting the ignition.
“It was obvious she cares for you, and what’s ridiculous is that you decided it won’t work without actually trying.”
He shifted into drive and pulled away from the curb with Josie’s words tumbling around his head, knotting his gut.He didn’t agree with his sister.She wasn’t right.
“You ride broncs for a living, Rye.And when money is extra tight, you ride bulls, even though you promised Mom you wouldn’t, and you do it because you’re tough.You’re fearless on the circuit.You want the challenge, and you believe in your skill.It’s what’s made you successful.So why don’t you believe in yourself now?”
He had no proper answer, at least none that she—or he—would accept.
Chapter Ten
Ansley didn’t arriveback at her uncle’s ranch until eleven thirty.It had been an incredibly long day, after a very grueling couple of weeks, and yet she was so keyed up she didn’t think she’d be able to sleep, not right away.
What a strange crazy unexpected night it had been.
She’d hoped for a decent turnout at the gallery.She’d hoped some of her paintings would sell.Reality had exceeded her hopes, and she’d been blown away by the reception.The gallery was packed and except for two of her nineteen works, everything had sold by the end of the party.
She hadn’t thought even half would sell, especially marked at the prices Marcia had set, but her most expensive works sold first.Clearly, Ansley wasn’t the best one to judge her work or price it, and then before she left to have dinner with Rye and Josie, Marcia mentioned that she’d love to feature Ansley in another show, perhaps in January or February, if Ansley had new work by then.
Ansley would have new work.She’d make sure of that, especially now that she knew there was a market for what she did, and a waiting list for her new pieces.
Ansley put the kettle on the stove, boiling water to make a cup of Sleepytime tea.She needed it tonight as she didn’t feel sleepy, or calm, and the lack of calm was due to Rye.
He wasn’t supposed to be there tonight and seeing him had knocked her off-balance.She’d pretended to be fine, but on the inside, she was far from fine.She still felt so much when near him.It confused her that she still cared so much.Worse, she knew he cared.It was clear he cared.So why had he put them both through all the pain and drama?
As if thinking about him could conjure him, her phone rang, and she knew it was him.Taking her phone from her purse, she was right.His name flashed.He’d unblocked her.She was tempted to ignore his call.She should ignore his call.She shouldn’t give him an inch.But when it came to Rye, Ansley was weak.She answered the call, picturing Josie, remembering what Josie said about their brother Jasper.Apparently Ansley still didn’t know the real Rye.
“Hi,” she said, shifting the kettle off the hot burner before it could begin to whistle in earnest.
“Just want to make sure you got home safely.”
“I’m home.Safely.”
He hesitated.“I’m truly proud of you, Ansley, and I’m glad I got to see you in your element.It was impressive.You’re going to be incredibly successful.”
“Is that a bad thing?”she asked, leaning against the counter.
“No.Why would you say that?”
“Because it’s not a competition between us.We’re both successful, just in different areas.”
“I don’t feel competitive with you.”
“Then why did you push me away after you broke your arm?Why did you choose then to block me?”
He didn’t have an answer, not at first.“It wasn’t about you, it was about me, and the fear that I was losing focus and failing to take care of my responsibilities.”
“Meaning, your family.”
“Yes.”
“You support everyone.”
