Page 83 of Wasted On You

Benton didn’t miss much and seemed to be considering something.

“Jus say it.” She stared at the lapel of his dress shirt. No way could she look him in the eye.

“The two of you have been circling each other ever since you came back to town last year.” Benton’s quiet voice touched something inside her, and Ivy felt a shift. It was subtle, but that ball of anxiety lessened a bit. “Now, I don’t know what’s up with you and this Lafferty guy, but you’re wearing a ring that says something. And if that something isn’t real or at least enough of a something to last, then it’s time to let it go. Life’s too short. Don’t waste time on the stuff that doesn’t matter. If you love Mike Paul, then be with him because I know he wants to be with you.” Benton kissed her forehead and then looked over his shoulder. “You girls need to stay out of the punch.” He stepped away. “Chin up, Wilkens. It’s Christmas Eve. All kinds of magic happens on a night like this.” He winked. “Or so I hear.”

Benton headed to the front of the house, where the majority of the folks were gathered.

“You want some?” Vivian held up a crystal glass.

“No, you girls have at it. I’m going to find Millie Sue.”

Ivy left the kitchen, but she was restless and couldn’t handle a crowd. She grabbed her phone and sent Kip a text.

Is he here yet?

After a few moments, Kip replied.

Haven’t seen him.

The Christmas music, the buzz of voices, the Lafferty family, and her mother—all were waiting for her at the other end of the house. But she wasn’t in the mood for any of it. At least, not yet. Out of sorts, she turned and wandered into the mudroom. She stood there for a few seconds, then pulled on a pair of boots that were two sizes too big and an old coat that drowned her. She left the house, wandered down the path, and eventually found herself at the barn.

Ivy let herself inside and listened to the quiet. There was the odd nicker from one of the horses, but other than that, it was silent and peaceful. It was exactly what her soul needed because she was sad and melancholy. In a weird headspace. The feeling grew as she slowly walked the length of the barn. One of the horses, a grey-speckled stallion, poked his nose over his stall. The nameplate readStar Lord.She ran her fingers over his muzzle, which made her think about the gentle touch that Mike Paul gave to the animals in his care.

Why wasn’t he answering her? Had he given up on them before they had a chance to start? Was her complicated and messy personal life too much for him?

“You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world.”

The deep voice startled her, and the horse sensed it. He backed into the shadows and disappeared from view.

A man stood a few feet from Ivy. He was tall, well built, and dressed smartly in black slacks and a black silk button-up. His hair was on the long side, thick and wavy, his features dark and handsome. There was something vaguely familiar about the man, but she couldn’t quite place him.

“It’s quiet out here,” she responded.

“It is.”

“Who are you?”

The man cracked a smile, and that feeling of familiarity intensified.

“Colton, but most folks call me Cole.” He winked. “Save for my mother.”

It dawned on her then. “You’re a Bridgestone.” His features were a mashup of Cal and Bent.

“I am. Second removed or something like that.”

It was coming to her. “From Texas.”

He nodded. “Born and bred.”

“I think we met when I was fifteen. You came to the ranch for the summer, and all the girls wanted to play with the new shiny toy.”

“You wore glasses and had a salty mouth.”

“That’s impressive.”

To her surprise, he shrugged. “I don’t forget a face. Especially one that’s as cute as yours.”

“Why are you out here and not inside?”

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