Page 6 of The Wedding Ranch
“When did you meet her?”
“A year ago. Nothing happened then, I swear.”
Why would I believe you now?
“Where did you meet? It doesn’t even make sense. When did you have time?”
“It’s Tiffany York. You met her.” He paused, but she didn’t place the name. “She’s the instructor at the dog training facility.”
Tiffany? Young, blond, owned a Yorkie that she carried around in her purse.
There it was. He’d planned it all along. He’d used her, and used Mister too, working his way to be with another woman all along.
“You knew her before you bought Mister.” The pieces were falling together.
“What does it matter?”
“It doesn’t.” She couldn’t believe she’d opened her heart to him only to have this happen.Tiffany?
“I’ll have my attorney draw up something. I guess we could sell the house and split the profit, unless you would prefer to buy me out,” he said.
“We’ll sell. I’ll have it on the market next week.” Better now than later. She didn’t want to look at anything that reminded her of him. She might not have even stayed the night tonight if it weren’t for having Mister to deal with. Wasn’t likely a hotel would allow a dog that big, even a pet-friendly one.
“Okay.” He stood, pushing his hands deep in his pockets. “I really am sorry. We had some great years.”
More bad times than good for her, but they’d had them together.
He grabbed the handle on his suitcase. “We can figure out who gets what later. I’ll call before I come over.”
“Good idea.” She’d change the locks just in case.
When the door closed, she walked over and sat on the couch.
“So that’s that.” She looked around the room. Their wedding picture sat on the mantel. That had been nothing more than Craig’s first great illusion—like David Copperfield making that jumbo jet disappear. He’d promised her the wedding of her dreams, but when it came down to it, the wedding had been handled like a business lunch. He talked her into a quick ceremony at the courthouse one Wednesday afternoon with two strangers as witnesses. No white dress. No guests. The short version even, because he’d had to get back to a meeting. Her parents had never forgiven her for that.
She picked up her phone and dialed Pam. “You’re not going to believe what just happened.”
“What?”
“Craig just left me for another woman.” The words sounded alien spoken out loud.
“Oh, Lorri. I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I am. I didn’t even see it coming, Pam. How is that?”
“Well, now you can finally start over. Pull out all those wish lists and get started.”
“I’m putting the house on the market. Remember the farmhouse-chic neighborhood down in Dalton Mill that I showed you awhile back?”
“I do. Those houses were charming.”
“I’m driving down tomorrow to take a look. The sooner I can get out of here the better,” she said.
“You don’t really want to move, do you?”
“I’m sure half the people in this neighborhood already knew what was going on. He really made me look like a fool.”
“No. Lorri, stop it. He’s a self-centered jerk. That’s what everyone knows.”
