Page 20 of His Cowboy Heart

Shea may have broken my heart but I had never doubted my love for her. Looking at Abigail I felt nothing but doubt about our future together. I felt disrespected and full of compromise. It was time for me to take responsibility for my past and control over my future.

“You go without me,” I said.

“Troy,” Abigail flashed a smile. “Come on darling. I’m sorry I joked about the elopement. Don’t be stupid.”

“Go without me Abigail. And when you come home I won’t be here.”

“Excuse me?” she whispered.

“Our engagement is over,” I said. “The wedding is off.”

“Jesus Christ, if you wanted to elope that badly let’s do it,” she said, her eyes wide with panic. “I don’t care about the wedding that much. You don’t need to hold me hostage with idle threats.”

“You do care about the wedding, Abigail. You were right, I know exactly who you are but you don’t really know me.”

“This is ridiculous,” she said, her lips drawn into a tight line. “Stop being so goddamn dramatic and go out there and hail us a cab.”

“Ten years ago I fell in love with someone else and I never really got over her. She wasn’t pregnant. My mother lied to you.”

Abigail stared at me, tears filling her eyes.

“I wanted to marry her because I loved her. But she changed her mind and broke my heart. And once upon a time, I thought you and I belonged together but you and I both know that’s wrong.”

“Nobody dumps Abigail King—”

“Tell them you dumped me Abigail, I don’t care. When you come back I’ll be gone. You can take your time moving out.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m leaving town.”

“I’m not giving you back that diamond,” Abigail screamed.

“I wouldn’t expect you to.”

Abigail slammed the door. I stood totally still for a moment. All of that swirling emotion vanished the moment she walked out the door. I felt strong. I felt clear.

It was time to pack my bag.

I was going to Salishan.

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