Page 6 of Second Chance With a Cowboy

“That wasn’t all he did.”

“What do you mean?”

She loosened her arms and picked up a napkin from the table. Holding it in her lap, she stared down at it, her voice going quieter as she told her sister, “He didn’tjustbreak up with me. He also left me for someone else.”

Lorna’s eyes widened as she jerked her head back. “Wait. You never told me this.”

“Because I was embarrassed and humiliated.”

“Are you sure? I’ve been in town this whole time, and I’ve never seen Chevy dating anyone seriously since you left. Who was it?”

“I don’t know. Some bimbo namedJolene.”

“Like the song?” Lorna started humming the chorus of the Dolly Parton tune.

Leni held up her hand. “Yes. Stop. Please. It already feels like a cliché.” Although she couldn’t help pressing her hand to her heart and belting out for Jolene to please not take her man.

Lorna frowned. “Are you for real right now? Someone named Jolene really stole Chevy from you that summer?”

“I don’t think she stole him. It seems like he went willingly, because he told me he’d given his heart to someone new.”

“He said that?” Lorna wrinkled her nose as if she’d just smelled a dirty diaper.

“Yep. He told me she needed him more, and he was going to give her all his attention.”

“I’m sorry. I honestly don’t know anything about another girl. I don’t evenknowanyone named Jolene. But I’m sure they’re not together now.”

“Like I care.”

“It seems like you do.”

“I don’t.”

Lorna’s expression softened, and she put her hand on her sister’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know Chevy broke your heart.”

“No,” Leni said, the napkin now a pile of shreds in her lap. “He brokeme. You know, I haven’t had one serious relationship since being with him. He ruined me for anyone else.”

“Okay. Yes, I know. But really, you have to admit, he actually did you a favor.”

Leni stared at her sister like she’d grown two heads as she choked out, “Afavor?”

“Yes.” She held up her hands in defense. “Don’t hate me. But we both know that if he hadn’t broken up with you, you never would’ve gone to MIT, or graduated at the top of your class, or earned that fancy aerospace engineering degree that you’d dreamed of getting since you were a little girl. You’ve created a successful career for yourself in a field you love. And now you’ve been offered your dream job with NASA. Andnoneof that would’ve happened if you would’ve stayed behind in Woodland Hills.”

Leni nodded grudgingly.

What her sister said was true.

But what did any of that—a fancy degree or a great job—matter if she didn’t have the person she loved to share it with.

That night, Chevy galloped toward the barn, both he and his horse breathing hard. He’d pushed her, charging flat out across the back pasture, racing the sun setting behind the mountain, and trying to outrun all the feelings seeing Leni Gibbs had dredged up in him again.

Murphy ran to greet them as they trotted into the farmyard. The dog had just turned twelve and couldn’t always keep up when Chevy took long rides up into the mountains, although he loved to try.

Climbing down from the saddle, Chevy greeted the dog then led the horse to the spicket just outside the barn door. Turning on the faucet, he splashed his face and head then cupped his hands to take a drink of the cool water before it filled the rubber horse bucket on the ground below.

The horse dipped her head and took a long drink then nuzzled into Chevy’s shoulder.

He put his arm around her and returned the affection, brushing his hand down her long velvety neck then giving her flank a pat. The familiar scents of dry straw, leather, and old wood met him as he entered the barn and led her back to her stall. His voice was low, talking to her as he often did while he brushed and groomed her.

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