Page 84 of Spilling the Tea

“No, Milt, you don’t have to leave, but I do,” Waylon said. “I need to get back to my men. There’s no reason for me to be here now anyway. Here, take this,” he said, placing the food box in her hand. “And take care of yourself, Victoria.”

He moved to go down the steps but stopped and turned back to them. “Mr. Jantz was wrong. I would have protected you with my life if I had to.”

While tears streamed down Victoria’s face, she watched Waylon cross the parking lot, get in his truck, and drive off. She wept in her brother’s arms when his truck could no longer be seen.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Victoria raced Magic across the open plain toward the fruit grove. This was the fourth time she’d done so over the past two months, hoping Waylon would finally agree to meet with her. She had sent word to him using the postal box he’d set up for them a while back, but he’d ignored her messages. From what she’d heard from Milton, Waylon was having a rough time with their breakup. So was she. Although she no longer cried herself to sleep and was eating better, she was falling into a state of depression.

Her mother was concerned about her. Fee and Milton, too. She figured that was one of the reasons her father’s only brother, Quantum Madaris—Uncle QT—had arrived a few weeks ago, three days before Thanksgiving. Granted, she believed he had come to check on Pa, but when he’d made her an offer she couldn’t refuse, she’d been convinced there had been an ulterior motive.

After reminding her that he’d sent her a ticket to Paris months ago that she hadn’t used, he’d sweetened the pie by offering to send her to nursing school in Paris while she worked for himpart-time assisting his booking agent. She’d heard from Milton and Fee that their uncle was doing well, and his house was spacious with four bedrooms. After days of deciding what to do, she knew the best thing was to leave Texas. Her life would be miserable if she remained here, unable to be with the man she loved. She wanted to be the one to tell Waylon of her decision.

Milton had told her that Waylon had confronted his mother after overhearing their conversation that night. When Ms. Penny hadn’t denied a thing, he had moved out of his family home to stay in the cabin. The one he’d built for them. The one they would never share together.

Her father was finally home. Although he still wasn’t at one hundred percent, he was getting there, under her mother’s watchful, loving, and caring eyes. Pa was glad to see his brother.

Like Ma suspected, Fee was pregnant, and everyone was happy, especially Milton. Fee’s morning sickness didn’t last long, and now she practically glowed. The baby would be born in late spring. It was hard to believe they would celebrate Christmas in a few weeks. Fee’s family would travel to Whispering Pines for the holidays, and everyone was excited about it. Victoria tried being excited, but very little thrilled her anymore.

She tightened her coat around her as she rounded the bend, not knowing what she would do if Waylon refused to meet with her yet again. Milton and Fee had gone into town to do some Christmas shopping, and her parents and Uncle QT had driven to the neighboring city of Sugar Land. Uncle QT had promised an old childhood friend that he would perform at one of the civic centers there. She’d been invited to go with them but declined the offer. She was hoping to get the chance to talk to Waylon tonight.

When she reached the fruit grove, she saw Waylon. Her heart raced knowing he’d come. He looked just as handsome as always but as she got closer, she saw the signs of strain under his eyes. A mirror of her own. When she reached him andbrought Magic to a stop, he helped her dismount. Once her feet touched the ground, he drew back. “Why did you want us to meet, Victoria?”

His words sounded so distant. “I wanted you to know of a decision I made.”

“And what decision is that?”

“I’m leaving Texas for a while. Uncle QT told me about this nursing school in Paris. He offered to pay my tuition if I studied there. To earn extra money, I’ll assist his booking agent with the books. The good thing is that my degree will be good to use in this country, too.”

He nodded and then said, “I’m happy for you. Nursing school has always been your dream.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to say that becoming his wife had also been her dream. “That was all I had to tell you, Waylon. I wanted you to hear it from me.”

He paused, then asked. “When are you leaving?”

“Three days after New Year’s. We’re taking one of those steamboats out of the Houston port.” When he didn’t say anything, she added, “I didn’t want to leave before saying goodbye.”

She moved toward Magic and stopped when Waylon touched her arm. “Take care of yourself, Victoria.”

She fought the tears threatening to fall. “And you do the same, Waylon.”

Their gazes held, and then, like magnets, they were pulled toward each other. She was suddenly engulfed in his strong arms.

***

Waylon knew they shouldn’t be doing this. After all, that promise she’d made to her father had ended things between them. They weren’t engaged, and she was no longer “his girl,” however, he knew he still loved her and that she still loved him. She had decided to move to Paris to get on with her life, andhe should do the same. How could he when the woman he was holding in his arms and kissing was his life?

He broke off the kiss when breathing became a necessity, and then they stood there, staring at each other. He knew this was to be their goodbye. She would leave Texas and possibly meet someone in Paris. A man with whom she could ultimately share his name, his babies, his life. The mere thought of such a thing was breaking his heart.

“Waylon?”

“Yes.”

He saw the tears welled up in her eyes. “I always wanted you to be my first and figured as my husband you would be. Although that won’t happen, I need to know how it feels to be made love to by a man who loves me and a man I love. Fee said it was the most wonderful experience, and I want to do so with you. Will you give that to me, Waylon?”

Waylon felt his eyes get misty. He didn’t want to think ill of those who’d brought them to this point. Charlotte, his parents, and Mr. Jantzen. Did they not understand what their decisions had done? Had brought them to this? “Are you sure, Victoria?”

She swiped at her tears. “Yes, I’m sure.”

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