Page 31 of Omega's Refuge

She sighed, brushing her red hair out of her eyes. “That’s a shame. The whole point of this trip is to forget about work, right?”

“Yeah.” I forced a smile.

Across the table, Martha said, “You’re still gonna stay though, right, Tanner? We’d hate it if you left too.”

Surprised that she cared whether I stayed or left, I grimaced. “I haven’t made up my mind.”

Martha’s mouth drooped. “But, why would you go?”

“Yeah, you should stay,” Joe piped in.

I smiled. “I feel kind of weird staying, seeing as you’re all couples.”

Rex joined the conversation as he said gruffly, “I told him not to worry about that. But he wouldn’t listen.”

Everyone turned their gazes on me, and my face warmed. “It’s not that I didn’t listen. I… I just feel weird being the only single person when we go out on the rides and stuff.”

“Rex is single too.” Tanya grinned. “He doesn’t seem to mind hanging out with us married people.”

Rex looked embarrassed, but he said nothing.

I shrugged. “Rex is working, it’s different.”

“Well, we’re flat out telling you we want you to stay. We don’t have any issues with you being single. It’s a unimportant part of the equation.” Joe huffed. “We all get along great. I hate messing with the good vibe we’ve got going here.”

“Yeah,” Tanya nodded, elbowing her husband. “Right, Peter? We want Tanner to stay and finish his vacation.”

Peter stopped cutting the slice of ham on his plate, and glanced over. “Absolutely. You should definitely stay.”

Everyone at the table nodded and murmured their approval.

I was flattered they didn’t want me to go, but still uncertain if that was the best idea. Would Ifeel more depressed being around happy couples? Or would going home to my empty apartment be worse?

“You’re sure it doesn’t matter that I’m a third wheel?” I asked hesitantly.

Rex leaned in. “Wheels aren’t even in the equation. We ride horses here, remember?”

I met his amused gaze and my chest warmed. Looking into his pretty blue eyes instantly made me feel better. I’d noticed that yesterday when we’d been at the bar. Anytime a wave of panic and fear about the future had washed over me, if I’d looked at Rex, those emotions had calmed.

“Besides,” Rex began, “If you leave, you’ll miss the overnight trail ride we have planned for tonight. It doesn’t get much better than sleeping under the stars.”

“You have an overnight trip planned?” I asked, feeling a nudge of excitement.

“We sure do.” Rex nodded.

I rubbed my jaw thoughtfully. “That sounds like a lot of fun.” I really liked the idea of sleeping under the stars. I also loved the thought of riding beneath the endless blue skies and across rolling green hills. This place tugged at something deep inside. There were moments when I felt like I belonged here on the ranch. A silly thought, seeing as my home was in the city.

“Stay,” Rex said quietly.

When I met his gaze, the warmth I saw there made my heart twinge oddly. I found it hard to look away from his earnest gaze. “I guess there’s no real reason to leave,” I said softly.

His smile made my heart twinge even harder. “Then you’ll stay for the camping trip?”

I found it impossible not to smile back at him. “Yeah, why not?” The group clapped, and my face warmed. “You’re all being so nice to me.”

“We like you.” Joe grinned. “In case you couldn’t tell.”

Martha smiled. “Maybe tonight we can get you to finally sing with us around the campfire.”

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