Page 37 of Dependable Cowboy

“Why?”

“Because of the divorce.” She proceeded to explain all the ins and outs of her rationale and specifically what the lawyers had told her.

Aaron could see that she had her reasons, the best of reasons, yet that didn’t make it hurt any less.

“It probably won’t be forever,” she interjected encouragingly, reaching out for his hand only to draw that hand back without making any sort of physical contact. That hurt, too. Way more than he felt up to admitting. “And I hope you know I wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t necessary. I care about you. And the last thing I want to do is tear us apart, but…”

She trailed off, but he knew what she would say. What she’d already said. Yet understanding her motivations did nothing to quell the sensation of his heart being sliced in two. Worse, this was all too reminiscent of his past with her. A past when he’d loved her, and she hadn’t loved him back. Not the way he’d needed her to.

And even though that might not be the case this time, this all just… reeked of a repeat.

“Yeah, well,” he spoke up for the first time in what felt like an hour. His throat felt as if he’d coiled up some sandpaper rough side out and swallowed it. “You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”

“I don’t want to, though,” she whispered, and it nearly broke him. His eyes burned and a fist-sized ache of physical pain blocked his breathing passages.

So, he jerked to his feet. A server was heading in their direction, making him grab his wallet. He left behind some bills to cover his soda and whatever Joy might order, then eyed the exit. He couldn’t bear to glance at the woman seated across from him right now.

“You and Kara take care,” he barely managed before hightailing it for the door.

He had entered his truck and hit the road using sheer muscle memory and had driven for fifteen minutes before realizing where he was even going. Only at that point did it click that he’d been on his way to Billings this whole time.

Suppose it made sense. He needed to hash out his gnarled thoughts with someone he trusted, and that’s where his parents were. It was also where Sam was, even if he was indisposed at the moment. He had far greater worries than Aaron dared lay at his feet.

So, it was to his folks’ house that he traveled. Which made it twice as ironic when he caught sight of Sam’s new SUV in the parking lot on the way, the man himself glancing up with a big bag of food in his hands and spotting him.

After that, Aaron had no choice but to pull in.

“Newbie,” Sam greeted him warmly, his tone the polar opposite of Brock’s. “What are you doing here?”

“I was going to ask the same of you.”

This barbecue joint wasn’t all that close to the hospital, even if it did give off an aroma that had Aaron been in the right state of mind would’ve called to him like a siren. But Sam gestured between the restaurant and vaguely east, where the hospital lay.

“Oh, this place has Whitney’s favorite barbecue sauce and fried pickles. And thanks to your folks bringing her meals from here, she’s now begun to crave it like she’s still pregnant.” Sam chuckled.

“So, the babies…”

“They’re holding their own. Better than that, actually. They came off oxygen today.”

Aaron gripped his arm, feeling the first honest to goodness smile come to his face since… everything.

“Oh, man, that’s wonderful.”

“It is. Colby James and Faith Margaret are strong little tikes, after all. As Duncans, they’d pretty much have to be.”

Aaron stared at Sam in surprise. He and Whitney hadn’t disclosed the babies’ names to the ranch employees yet.

“You named them after your mom and dad?” He bet Jim and Maggie were bursting at the seams with pride.

“Seemed fitting. Just keep those monikers to yourself. Only the family knows them so far, and we want to make a more formal announcement once the babies are home.”

“You know I will.”

“I know.” It was then that Sam glanced down the road, apparently taking note of the fact that Aaron hadn’t been driving to the hospital. Or to that specific eatery. “Visiting the folks?”

Aaron dropped his gaze. As much as he’d love to confide in his boss and friend, he knew Sam didn’t have the bandwidth for his complex love life—or lack thereof—not even with the good news.

“Sure am. Need to do it more often. Or that’s what they’re constantly telling me.”

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