Page 66 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

“How do you feel about how this worked out – about you not coming with me?”

He pursed his lips.

“Are you mad?”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to his side. “I’m not mad. I’m …” He shrugged. “That’s a lie. I am mad, but I’m mad at whoever this asshole is. I’m mad at the situation. Not at you.”

“Are you mad at Davin and Alexis?”

“Not really. I want to be, but I get it. I feel like I have to let them win this battle so that I can win the war.”

“What do you mean? You’re not at war with them – we’re all on the same side, aren’t we?”

“Yeah, but they don’t know that yet.”

“I still don’t get it.”

He held her gaze for a moment, and then hurried them across when the traffic finally stopped for them.

“What did you mean?” she asked when they reached the other side.

He blew out a sigh. “I can’t know for sure, but I got the impression that they suspect me.”

She was totally lost. “Suspect you of what?”

“Of being the guy who sent those messages.”

“No! Why would they …?” She frowned. “Why would you?”

“Just to be clear – I didn’t. But it’s what I’d suspect if I were them. The very same weekend that you meet me – a guy who lives in a different state, and who they know might want to whisk you away from them to live with him – some creep starts threatening you – making it seem like you might not be safe to stay there.”

She stared at him for a long moment. “That’d be pretty twisted. You mean, they think that you’d try to frighten me away from Summer Lake, so that I’d go to Montana with you?”

He blew out a sigh. “I know it sounds twisted, but yeah. I think they might suspect that – I know I would, if I were in their position. And that’s the only reason that I’m not coming with you. I know how much they mean to you, and I know that they can keep you safe. If they weren’t who they are, I’d be coming with you anyway but …”

Shayna covered her eyes with her hand. “I hate this.”

“I do, too, sweetheart.”

“Will you still come and see me next weekend?”

“I want to.”

“I want you to.”

“See how you feel and let me know.”

“I already did – I want you to come.”

“You might feel differently after you get home.”

Her eyes stung with tears, and she had to swallow around the lump in her throat. “Is this you backing out? I get it, this is more trouble than I’m worth.”

“No! I’m all in, Shay. That’s the reason I’m backing off. If I push now, I’ll antagonize Davin and Alexis, and that’ll put you in a difficult position. I don’t want that for you. I don’t want it for them – they care about you. And I …”

She held her breath. She was still afraid that all this drama was enough to make him change his mind. Even though they’dhad an amazing weekend together, even though they had such an undeniable connection, he didn’t need all the hassle of …

He cupped her face between his hands and held her gaze. “I shouldn’t say it, but I’m going to. I know that they care about you but I … I’m already falling in love with you.”

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