Page 67 of The Cowboy Takes A Bride

“Hey, did you get any sleep?” She stepped close and searched his face. She was stunning with the morning sun behind her, no makeup on her face, and how he loved her ponytail. She looked every bit suited for the ranch, but hadn’t that been her role with her father? To blend in? He didn't want to question the pastmonths, but the lack of sleep, the onslaught of grief, and the easy-found doubt were prominent in his mind.

“Enough.” He glanced at her father. “What's he want?” Though he could take a stab at it and likely hit the mark.

“He wants to stay for a bit. I know the timing isn't the best but...”

Well, Christ on the cross. He was about to do something stupid, except he needed to know. If she stayed, he would always wonder if it was because she was too afraid of what was waiting for her on the other side. He wanted to be the greener grass for her. He wanted to be where her heart and soul craved to be. Like his heart and soul did. He didn't want to be her hideout. Yes, he craved her, too, but letting her go now would hurt far less than her leaving unexpectedly. Especially knowing he’d been too chicken shit to set her free.

What was that stupid ass saying? If you love someone set them free?

He leaned against the fence and touched her shoulder. “How does this feel?”

“Awful, but the ringing in my ears is getting softer. That’s a good thing.” She smiled.

“It could have gone horribly wrong,” Jace said. His body ached as he imagined what today would be like had the bear attacked her or killed either or both of them.

“I am well aware of that. For a while, I think I’ll stay close to home.”

“And you want your father to be here?”

“I think this is a safe place to face him, don't you?”

Jace looked at her father’s limo, so out of place, and he decided to make a clean cut. “I think you should go home with your father.”

Meredith laughed nervously. “What did he say to you yesterday in the kitchen, because you know how he is.”

He would not let her hide out here. He was no better than hen shit on a pump handle if he did that. He stared at the splatter of blood across his boot. “He’s missed you.”

She snorted. “He missed controlling me. He missed using me. He missed—”

“He talked about losing your mother and then losing you, Meredith. He’s scared and hurt.”

“Bullshit.” She shook her head.

“Do you really believe it's bullshit? What if he were to die tomorrow? Would you be okay with how things are right now?” Jace glanced at the cabin where Pops had lived. “He’s all the family you have left.”

Meredith’s hesitation was all the indication Jace needed; he was doing the right thing. If she went with her father and wasn’t able to find a middle ground with him, then so be it. At least she’d tried. He wanted that for her. He wanted her to have that peace, and he would spend the rest of his days trying to fill that void in her if that were to be the case. If she came back.

“Are you telling me to leave?” She stepped away, searching his face.

“I’m saying you should have some answers.”

“I have all the answers I need. I—” She pointed to her father.

“Your answers are based on limited information.” Over her shoulder, he noticed his mother was watching them from her porch.

“Do you want me to leave?” Her eyes were wide, her face pale. “That’s it, right. You want me to leave. We struck a deal, and now that Pops is––” She looked away, tears filling her eyes. “It really was only a deal and nothing more.”

“I want you to be sure of the choices you make. I spoke with your father—”

“And the two of you know me better than anyone and wentahead and decided everything without so much as asking me what I wanted.” She gave a curt nod and crossed her arms.

“Meredith—”

“You know what’s crazy?” She waited for him to shake his head. “I love you,” she whispered. “There is nowhere—”

“I’m sure you think you do love me. I’ve given you a safe place to hide and a chance to have a life. But it was a limited one, here on the ranch. Now you have a chance to do whatever, go wherever, and be whoever you want to be. You need to know what it is you want. You need to be sure about who you are.”

They stood facing each other, though neither looking the other in the eye. The air around them seemed to still, as did the animals. Yesterday, they’d made love in the sweetest way. They'd embraced their life, mourned the loss of Pops, and rejoiced in the breaths they took since surviving the bear. Today they were talking about living those lives apart. Well, Jace was. But who were either of them to decide something for the other?

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