Page 80 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

“Not that different from what you did. While I don’t know all the details, your brother did tell me you were in the hospital longer than I was.”

“My accident was my fault, and someone tried to kill you. I’d say there’s a vast difference between the two.”

“Look at me, darlin’.”

She shook her head.

“Please.”

I waited until she finally did to say more. “There is no excuse for the way I’ve treated you, but I promise that, from this moment on, I’ll do everything I can to make it up to you. Juniper, I…”

I couldn’t get the words out that I desperately wanted to say. Every day she’d sat by my side, I fell more in love with her, but it wouldn’t be fair for me to say it now. First, I had to prove it by my actions. Three words could never make up for the pain I’d caused her.

When I rested my hand on the console between us, she rested her palm on mine.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there when Pete told you about the arrest. I wanted to be.”

Her eyes widened when mine did, and I gasped like all the air had left my lungs. “What did you say?”

“Oh my God. He hasn’t told you yet. I’m so sorry.” She tried to move her hand away, but I wouldn’t let her.

“I don’t want to hear it from him. You tell me.”

“They know who tried to kill you, Cord. By now, he should be in custody. That’s what my uncle came here to tell you.”

“Who is it?”

“I don’t know.”

I nodded once, trying to wrap my head around the news and quell the nausea churning in my stomach. Did I even want to know who the person was who’d left me for dead? I remembered the bone-chilling look of evil in Jimmy Rooker’s eyes when he’d held the gun against Sam. It was something I never wanted to witness again. How could the person who was arrested not have the same vileness inside him?

“Do you want to go back so Pete can tell you the rest?” she asked in a tone barely above a whisper.

“Not yet. First, I need to know if we can still be friends.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Once again, I’d hurt her. “You know, friends plus, uh, more.”

“We can still be friends, Cord.”

I nodded once. “Understood,” I muttered, turning my head to look in the direction of the cottage. I was the one who’d started it. I could hardly fault her for agreeing.

“Pete will probably have to return to the station soon, so if you want to know more about the arrest, you should go talk to him.”

“Will you go with me?”

She shook her head. “I’m really tired, Cord. I think I’d rather go home and get some rest.”

“Understood,” I repeated. “But, Juni—” I stopped talking when she raised her hand.

“Give me some time, okay?”

“Sure. Of course.” I opened the door. “See you soon?”

While she nodded, I doubted she meant it. It wasn’t any less than I deserved.

“What happened?” Grayson asked, meeting me partway between the SUV and the cottage.

“We talked. I apologized. She’s tired and is going home to rest.”

He nodded, then ran forward to catch Juni before she left. I watched him get in the SUV, likely asking her what happened like he had me.

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