Page 38 of Wild Mustang Security Firm

“Because I wanted you to have the life you want, to do something that fed your soul. To have what I have, something that’s more than a nine-to-five job. Apparently, you don’t want the same for me.”

“Willa, you’re being unreasonable.”

“Me? I’m not the one who takes a secret meeting, then comes home to say he’s leaving. We aren’t really discussing this, are we? You’ve made up your mind to leave.”

“It’s too good an opportunity to pass up.”

“Yes, it is… for you, I’m sure it’s a wonderful opportunity.”

They rode the rest of the way home in silence. She knew Mac wasn’t sure what to say to make her feel better. There was nothing he could say. He was right, this was something he needed to do, but she couldn’t leave her life to follow him, and they both knew it.

He pulled up in front of the barn. Willa was out of the truck before his seat belt was even unbuckled.

“Willa, wait!”

“For what? For you to leave, then decide it’s too much trouble to fly back and forth to see me if I don’t move with you? Isn’t that what you’re doing now?”

He caught up with her as they entered the house.

“I don’t think it’s that kind of job. I need to be able to leave on a moment’s notice.”

“Then I don’t know what there is to say. You can’t stay, and I can’t leave.”

“You won’t leave. There’s a difference.”

“Is there?” she accused. “You could turn down the promotion. You could choose to stay.”

“I can’t afford to pass up the opportunity. My job is important.”

“My job may not be important to you, but it is to me. I built this business from the ground up with my own two hands. It was here before you entered my life, and it’ll be here after you leave.”

“Willa, talk to me. We can figure it out if we just put our heads together.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “Are you willing to stay?”

He shook his head.

“Well, I’m not willing to leave. We have nothing left to discuss. When do you need to be in Louisiana?”

“Sooner rather than later, but…”

“Then, go. I’ll pack your things and have them sent to you.”

He ran his hand through his hair and swore.

God, he was so beautiful, and he’d made her life so sweet, so much fun, so full of love. But now he was going, and there was nothing she could do about it. She could beg, and she might even have been willing to consider it, except it wouldn’t change anything.

“That’s it?” he asked angrily. “You’re willing to throw away what we have without much thought and even less discussion?”

“Isn’t that what you did? Made a decision without giving me a second thought? Sorry, Mac. You don’t get to put this on me. We’re at an impasse. If you stay, you’ll be passing on a promotion that could make a career you’ve put a lot of time and trouble into. I refuse to be the reason you give it up and endup resenting me. But I’m not willing to abandon my life and my business for you.” Her heart was breaking, and she had to get away from him. “Maybe that’s the reason I could never bring myself to tell you I love you when you said it to me.”

She had to steel herself against recoiling from the shattered look that descended on Mac. She knew she had wounded him deeply—she’d meant to. Better to make the cut clean, so they could both move forward.

Willa walked into the bedroom and stepped into the walk-in closet. She emerged dressed in her favorite sweater, jeans, and boots. Mac was sitting on the edge of the bed, obviously waiting for her.

“I’m going to head out for a few days. Please don’t be here when I return home,” she said softly.

“Willa, don’t do this. I love you, and we both know you love me. Come on, Cowgirl, we can find a way to make this work.”

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