Page 48 of Texas Daze (Texas Montgomery Mavericks)

“Darling, you know it’s true. It’s fine to sleep with a woman like her. I mean, I do understand men’s needs. But she’s simply will never fit into our world. Society can be so unforgiving. You wouldn’t want to put her through that. And now that you’ve gotten the partnership offer from Midtown, you have to be thinking about your future. You need a woman who understands what it is to be the wife of a prominent physician. Can you picture her in NewYorkCity?”

“Mother,” he said with a long sigh. “Marti is a wonderfulwoman.”

“I’m sure she is, for a different man. Now, Dr. Vincent wants you to call him on Monday to confirm everything. I’ll be so happy to have you home where youbelong.”

The backs of Marti’s eyes grew hot as tears filled her eyes. She snatched up her purse and let herself back outside. A wave of nausea swept over her and for a second, she thought she was going to lose her breakfast. She swallowed against the tang in her mouth and raced to her car. The urge to fly down the drive bit at her gut, but she didn’t want to confirm his mother’s impression that she was nothing but a Texas hick. She might have controlled her speed but she couldn’t control her tears. Salty drops of her soul leaked down her face and dripped offherchin.

In the time it took to get back to the Flying Pig, she’d talked herself off the ledge. She’d known going in that Eli was only here for a short time. He’d never promised her anything except good food, and on that, he’d delivered. There’d never been a discussion about the future, no plans beyond a week at a time and she’d been finewiththat.

So why did his mother’s words hurt so much? Because she wasright?

There was some reality in Mrs. Boone’s words. Marti didn’t belong in New York. She’d been there. Seen some plays. Went to the museums. Had some wonderful food. But the thought of all those people crammed on that tiny island, everyone on top of each other, was not for her. She needed space. She needed open skies. And most importantly, she loved ranching. She wasn’t goinganywhere.

So, if all that was true, then why had she let herself fall in love with him? She knew better. She fought it, but her heart didn’tlisten.

Eli had landed his dream position at that clinic in New York. She was thrilled for him. Sad for her, but elated for him. He’d talked to her about it and about his dreams. Everything he wanted was within his reach and she would do nothing to stand inhisway.

Her feelings were hers to deal with. She’d never tell him how she felt and he would never know. She would live through his departure. Knowing him as well as she did, he would feel awful if he thought she was in love with him and leaving would break her heart. He was a gentle soul, a caring man. She would neverhurthim.

As soon as she got home, she broke their date for that evening. He should spend time with his mother since she’d come so far toseehim.

Monday evening, Marti was lying on her sofa reading a romance novel when Eli knocked onherdoor.

“Hey, stranger,” she said. “Come on in.” She forced her voice to be light and carefree. Her heart swelled at seeing him. Lust swirled in her gut. She tamped down her emotions. She knew what she had to do and it wasn’t going tobeeasy.

“She’s gone,” he announced and dropped on the couch beside her. “Finally.”

“I’m glad you spent timewithher.”

“You should have gone out to dinner with us lastnight.”

She smiled. “You mother came toseeyou.”

Putting an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her closer and kissed her. “Yeah but it would have been nice to have you there, too. Imissedyou.”

The kiss wasn’t deep and erotic. It was just a simple kiss between lovers exchanged like a hello. She would miss those. “I missedyoutoo.”

“We needtotalk.”

She sat back and looked into his gorgeous brown eyes. “I know. Let me gofirst.”

He nodded andwaited.

“This…” She gestured between them. “This has been great but I think we’ve run ourcourse.”

Surprise flashed in his eyes. “Excuseme?”

“You’ve accomplished what you came to me for. You can ride. You’re over your nervousness around horses. You’ve come a long way. But it’s also getting close to time for you to leave. I’m assuming your mother’s good news has to do withMidtown?”

He grinned. “That’s one of the things I came to tell you. Associate partner the first year, with full partner the second year. Unbelievable. They never do that foranyone.”

She smiled but her heart was shattering. “They’re smart. They knew a good thing when they saw it.” She bumped his shoulder. “You’re a good thing. Wise move on their part.” She cleared her throat, pushing that rock lodged there down an inch. “I know you’ll do wonderful things.” She hugged him, inhaled his scent, tried to store it in her memory banks. “I’m proudofyou.”

“Nowmyturn.”

“No, I’m not done yet.” She drew in a breath. “I think that we should stop seeing each other before feelings getinvolved.”

“What?” His brow furrowed. “Why? I don’t understand. Feeling? Of courseIhave—””

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