Page 65 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

“This. The silent treatment.”

She kicked a stone off the path. “I can’t talk.”

“Why?”

“I just can’t, okay.”

“Here’s the thing.” He kept his voice soft and calm. “We’re in a relationship together. Open and honest communication is a deal-breaker.”

“What are you saying?”

“I can’t be in a relationship where the other person shuts down and puts me in the freezer.” Miley had strung him along for months. Made empty promises that she’d talk soon and tell him what’s going on. Her lies had broken his trust and revealed the truth about her selfishness.

Becky looked up, her face downcast. “What do you want to know?”

Where to start? At least she was talking. “Have you been meeting Logan in Gilead?”

She nodded. “We’re friends. Nothing more.”

“I believe you, Becky. Did you first meet Logan in Australia?”

“Yep. We knew the same people.”

“Okay.” A good starting point. “Did you date Logan in Australia?”

“No. never. I’m not interested in Logan. You have to believe me.”

“I do.” It was a relief that he did believe her. He liked Logan. Sam was glad that Logan hadn’t been involved with Becky. “What else do I need to believe?”

“I can’t talk about Australia.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Both. Some of it’s not my story to tell.” She wrapped her arms around her torso and stared at the ground. “I left Bek behind in Australia. Started over as Becky.” Her tone was low and firm. “I never intended to meet you or anyone.”

He’d hit a wall. “But you did meet me. And that was good.”

She nodded. “We should go to the auditorium.”

Subject closed. He couldn’t do this again. Dad had stonewalled Mom’s attempts to negotiate a compromise. Sam had learned the core issue at the heart of his parents’ relationship problems was poor communication.

“Before we go.” He stopped walking. Bright oranges and pinks lit up the sky. His hopes and dreams were fading like the sunset.

She turned to him. “I’m listening.”

“I don’t find it easy to talk about past hurts. Miley is a difficult topic.”

“I can relate.”

“Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean we should avoid it.”

“That’s fair.” She uncrossed her arms and stepped toward him. “I don’t want to fight.”

He softened his tone. “That’s why we need to talk. Poor communication is a big problem in my parents’ marriage.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. It’s a hard situation.”

“It sure is.” He held her gaze. “Effective communication requires effort from everyone in the relationship.”

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