Page 12 of Spilling the Tea

He glanced to where Zoey stood before his barn. She tilted her face in his direction, and their gazes connected. For a quick moment, he’d felt something. Some affinity for her was the last thing he wanted to feel toward her or any woman. He was a loner and had chosen that kind of life for a reason. He had his emotional baggage and didn’t need to take on anyone else’s.

He knew it was time for her to go when their gazes continued to hold. Something was happening and coalescing inside him. Damn, he could feel it right to the bone. Whatever it was, he didn’t want it. He would fight it like hell. He was the Chance who refused to take a chance. Never again. He’d tried the love and relationship thing and had nearly been destroyed.

He had her business card and would give Mama Laverne hercontact information. Hopefully, his great-grandmother could provide her with the information she sought. That was the best he could do and the only thing he intended to do.

After tying Ambush to a post, he started walking toward Zoey as their gazes still held. Once again, he got that feeling that he’d seen her before. Why was there something oddly familiar about her? She broke eye contact with him to gaze at the huge red barn she was standing in front of.

When Chance reached her, she turned to him, and he saw a jarred look on her face—like she was shaken up. “What’s wrong, Zoey?” he asked in concern.

“I just remembered something, Chancellor,” she said almost breathlessly.

Immediately, his pulse raced. “What?”

“This barn. I remembered the day my father put a new coat of red paint on it. He was on a ladder, and I called him and told him my mother had said lunch was ready. He smiled down at me. I saw him. I saw my daddy, and he looked just like he did in the pictures I have of him. That memory only lasted a few seconds, but it has to mean something, right?”

He saw tears in her eyes and knew his brain was scrambling with emotions. He was happy for her. How could he not be? More than anything, he hoped that what she’d just experienced was another missing piece of her childhood. “Yes, I believe it means something,” he said.

She swiped at her tears and then said, “You’ve been more than kind about letting me look around your ranch. I would not have had that experience if you hadn’t let me stay. Thank you.”

He nodded, feeling like a heel since initially, he hadn’t wanted her there. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. Just a little emotional now.”

Chance could see that, understood, and felt she had every right to be. He would never forget the day he took those first steps without his wheelchair. He’d been filled with emotions, too.

He was about to suggest to Zoey that she stay until she felt more composed. But some part of him knew she had to go before he did something he’d later regret, like pulling her into his arms to kiss away those tears still glittering in her eyes.

“I’ll be going now.”

“And you’re sure you’re okay?” he asked again, wondering what he would do if she said she wasn’t this time.

“Yes, I’m okay. I need time alone for a while.”

He should have been relieved by her response, so there was no reason for her words to rub him the wrong way. He, of all people, should understand and respect a person’s desire for space. Some needed it more than others, whatever the reason.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” he offered.

“Alright, thanks.”

He walked beside her, and when they reached the car, he opened the door for her to get in. An inner voice told him that he’d said and done enough. If he hadn’t allowed her to look around, she would never have had a portion of her memory returned. Besides that, he would be connecting her with his great-grandmother. That was enough. He should wish her well and let her move on.

For some reason, he couldn’t do that.

Rubbing his hand down his face, he then said, “This place is huge, and there’s a lot more of it you might want to see, Zoey. There’s a lake near the south pasture. Can you ride a horse?”

“Yes. After one of my doctors recommended taking horse riding lessons to strengthen my leg muscles, my aunt enrolled me in a horse riding class. I enjoyed it so much that I kept it up for years. I often go to this horse ranch in Virginia to ride on my days off.”

“Good.” The thought that she enjoyed riding a horse pleased him for some reason. “You might also want to take a tour of my home. Like I told you, many rooms have the original furnishings.”

He could tell his offer surprised her. “Thanks, Chancellor. I’d love to return and do that if you’re sure I won’t keep you from your work.”

She didn’t have to worry since he didn’t intend to be here when she returned. He would spend an entire day on the range and ensure Ms. Cate cared for her. “I’m sure.”

“Will tomorrow be too soon?” she asked excitedly.

For him, it would be, since Cate didn’t work the next day. “Thursday would be better.”

“Then I’ll be back Thursday. Is eleven o’clock okay?”

---