Page 77 of The Cowboy's Surprise Return

Cole’s horse sidestepped at Brant’s gruff tone and Cole reined him back in, considering the suggestion. Brant was the brother most in tune with his feelings and those of others.

Did he really think Cole should boss Jackie around and solve her problems? Assuming there was a solution, of course.

It made no sense, though. She hadn’t asked him to stay with her.

In fact, she hadn’t asked him for anything.

Hadn’t asked anyone for anything.

Why was that?

“So I’m supposed to waltz in and tell her what to do with her life? That sounds like a good way to get a cowboy boot implanted up my butt.”

Brant laughed, swinging down from the saddle to open the gate. “Go solve her problems, Cole. Jackie needs it.” Their gazes met as Cole led Brant’s horse through the gate alongside his own. “Jackie needs you.”

The words echoed through his mind for the rest of the ride back to the stable.

* * *

“Hon, maybe it’s time to give up on him.” Mrs. Fisher looked worried, her eyebrows pinched together.

Jackie lifted her elbows off the diner’s back counter and straightened her spine, trying to pull herself together. It just felt like so much effort to remain upbeat. She’d been in the city for a few days now and had given up on her Sunday task list of applying for jobs. Instead, she’d climbed into her car and driven out to Riverbend to visit her dad, whose moving date had been switched to Thursday. He’d slept the entire time she was there.

Feeling down, Jackie had continued on to Sweetheart Creek in hopes that her old hometown would boost her spirits. She hadn’t told Cole she was coming. She hadn’t told anyone.

“It’s not about Cole,” she said to Mrs. Fisher. But it was. She missed him. Even more than this town, than her old job. She gave a lighthearted wave. “That was just… fun.”

“Your dad moves tomorrow?” Mrs. Fisher asked.

She shook her head. “They pushed the date back a few days.”

“You look down,” Laura said, sliding onto the stool beside her. “I like your outfit.” She took in Jackie’s pajama pants and T-shirt, her messy ponytail. “Um, your boots, I mean.”

“I feel like I got run over, then dragged through the mud,” Jackie admitted.

“But it’s not about Cole,” Mrs. Fisher stated, her tone saying she disagreed.

“Then it’s probably just the effect of learning that such a long-standing crush wasn’t real?” Laura’s voice lifted in question. Jackie caught her giving Mrs. Fisher a worried glance. “You know, like, uh… disappointment? Like when you meet a hot actor in real life and it turns out he’s actually short.”

“It was just a crush,” Jackie confirmed, then tried to swallow the lump in her throat. “I’m over it.”

“You were chasing the idea of that man for a lot of years, Jackie. It was bound to happen.” Mrs. Fisher’s lips pulled into a thin line. “Best to mosey on down the line to the next one, dear. Put Cole Wylder in your rearview mirror.”

Laura’s eyes filled with sympathy as she watched Jackie struggle for a cheery smile.

“Yup,” Jackie said. “That’s what I’ll do.”

“It was never real, and you’re a smart gal.” Mrs. Fisher’s tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. “Put the fantasy aside now that you’ve seen the truth.”

The problem was that shehadseen the truth. Cole was special. He was the man she loved.

“It was fun, now it’s over.” Mrs. Fisher slapped her dish towel on the counter in front of Jackie and she jumped. “You’ve wasted too much time brooding over a man who probably would have run away in the end, anyway. Where’s the Jackie we know?”

She nodded, unable to speak.

Laura’s warm hand covered her own. “I know moving away is hard. If you need anything let me know, okay? We’re all still here for you. We don’t mind zipping down the highway to join you for a cup of coffee, or help you hang some pictures on your walls.” She lowered her voice. “Or eat chunky fudge ice cream.”

Jackie nodded, swallowing her heartbreak. She stood and exited the diner, then stared down the street, realizing she had nowhere to go. No job. No home just a few blocks away, as it had already been rented out. No boyfriend. Just an apartment an hour and a half away.

---