Page 72 of The Rancher's Unrequited Love

He sits up and leans back against the sofa as I curl on his lap like a baby, my tears wetting the sweater under his coat.

Words explode in my mind.

There's so many things I want to say.

So many things I want him to know.

Just so, so many things I wish I can say.

But I can't.

My lips are trembling too hard, and all I can do is sob—-

"It's alright, baby."

No, it's not.

"Just listen to me," he says softly. "Alright?"

I don't want to.

"I know you think everything's happening too fast, and that things between us can't possibly be real."

I can't and mustn't listen.

"I know you've decided to leave, and I'm telling you now..."

Because whatever he has to say—-

"It's going to be fine, baby."

I'm sure I won't be able to bear it.

"I want you to take as much time as you need."

And it's just as I feared.

"There isn't any need to hurry because we have forever."

He's telling me he's okay with waiting. He's giving me the time that Jack himself doesn't think I deserve, and every word is magic.

"But until then..."

Just beautiful, heartbreaking magic, and it's because of that...

"I know I have to let you go."

It's because of that every word hurts.

Chapter Seven

THERE WAS A REASONHartland Books, a charmingly old brick building situated on top of an uphill road, was also located at the farthest edge of the town. Its owner was of a solitary nature, and since he also had a tendency to scowl and speak in a menacingly soft voice, people were more than happy to bend backwards to accommodate his desire for privacy.

Most people that is...except the young woman standing outside the bookshop and gazing dreamily at the tall, dark-haired man standing behind the counter.

The sight made Aidan's lips twitch, and he had to clear his throat several times before his sister-in-law finally turned to him like waking from a trance.

"Aidan?" Blake's tone was an amusing mix of dazed and breathless, and Aidan could only chuckle at the way she started shuffling her feet and glanced over her shoulder right after speaking. The two might have been married for months now, but the honeymoon stage clearly wasn't over, and knowing Blake...

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