Page 28 of Nate

Connie frowned. “Of course, I can, hon. Are you alright?”

“Just not as hungry as I thought.”

“Okay.”

“Mine too, Connie, please,” Sydney said.

“Alright.” Connie picked up both plates, carried them around the counter and disappeared into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry, Markie.”

“It’s my fault, Sydney. It’s just that I deal with Jarrett every time I visit. I look at every man the same way. I don’t trust them. Especially since I’ve been cheated on time and time again. Then my mother marries this… pig who can’t seem to keep his hands to himself. When I met Nate, he just seemed condescending to me. But I know he’s not like that at all now. And it’s too late.”

Sydney reached across the table and touched her hand.

“If you think it would make you feel better, than explain that to Nate. Maybe he’ll see where you’re coming from.”

“Do you think I should?”

“I’m not saying one way or the other. Only you can decide on what to do.” Sydney glanced over her shoulder. “Connie has our dinners ready.”

They slid from the booth, walked to the register, paid for the meals, added a tip, then picked up their bags and walked outside.

“It’s gotten so cold again and flurrying.” Sydney pulled her jacket on.

“Yes, it has. I’m glad I don’t have far to walk.”

“No, but it’s dark. Let me give you a ride.”

“It’s just down the street.”

“Please. I’d feel better making sure you got home alright.”

“Okay.”

They walked to Sydney’s SUV, climbed in, and pulled out of the parking lot. Sydney stopped beside Markie’s stairs and waited while she went inside. Markie heard her pulling away as she closed the door.

After undressing and showering, she pulled on her lounge pants and T-shirt, then watched some TV but for the life of her, she couldn’t get Nate out of her mind. She had a long night ahead of her.

Chapter Five

Nate entered the barn and checked on the horse with the cut. He seemed to be alright, but Nate intended to keep an eye on him. It frustrated him that Bart didn’t catch it, but things happen, and the ranch dealt with it.

After Nate led the horse to the indoor corral, he walked into his office, stopped and glanced toward the wall, then shook his head.

“You’re an idiot, Jefferson,” he muttered as he strode around his desk and took a seat in the chair.

As he sat there, he couldn’t help but think of her yesterday. He could see the hurt in her eyes when he called her Dr. Russell.

What the hell did she think he’d do? Take her in his arms and tell her it was fine? It wasn’t. He wasn’t one to hold a grudge, but she formed an opinion of him before even knowing him.

“Yeah, then you fuck her against the wall.” He shook his head. He was sure she thought he was like her stepfather after that. “Fuck.”

But she had apologized for lumping him in with a man who thought he was God’s gift to women. Nate never thought that way about himself. He was just a man and if he was fortunate to meet a woman he could love again, he would treat her like gold, not like she was beneath him.

He’d had a good relationship with Erin and even their marriage had been good in the beginning, but they just grew apart. It tore them both apart knowing they couldn’t save their marriage, but she remarried four years ago and seemed happy with Brian, and Nate was happy for them both. Brian was a great guy, and Nate knew he’d never intentionally hurt Erin.

He called Jobe on his phone to tell him he’d be in the feed barn helping out.

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