Page 112 of Pretend To Be My Cowboy
She smiled. “I know. And it’s definitely not second thoughts.” She set down her fork as she took a deep breath, trying to find the words to explain. “I woke up feeling completely at peace with my decision, and so excited for my future—” Her cheeks warmed and she shot him a shy smile. “Our future.”
She was rewarded with a grin that made her knees weak.
“But,” she added slowly. “I don’t love the idea of disappointing people I care about.”
“That’s understandable.” He tucked into his breakfast, taking a mammoth forkful.
She hitched her lips to the side as she buttered her toast and thought about the calls to come. “But at the same time,” she finally continued. “I can’t keep living my life for other people. I have to pursue my own dreams, and build a life I want.”
He leaned forward, his hand covering hers again. “Have I mentioned how honored I am that you’re choosing to build that life with me?”
She laughed, flipping her hand over to hold his. “Once or twice,” she teased. Truthfully, he’d made at least a dozen comments to that effect.
“I suppose I can’t put this off much longer,” she said when they were clearing their plates. “I’d better call Lizzy again, see if I can get a hold of her.”
JJ walked in through the mudroom. “Hey, you guys know who’s pulling up out front? I don't recognize the car.”
Which was strange for Aspire, Emma knew that much.
Nash frowned. “Maybe it’s the lawyer coming to check on your progress with the signatures,” he offered.
“Maybe.” Emma wasn’t convinced though. She’d been emailing with Mr. Billman regularly to keep him updated. She’d even emailed him the day before to see if there was something he could do to try and get April to return her messages. She’d hoped maybe if he acted as a go between, the youngest O’Sullivan sister might be more likely to talk.
JJ rested a hand on his hip. “I was thinking of taking Marlon out to the northern paddocks. I didn’t get a chance to check the fenceline last week, unless there’s something else you’d like me to do? Or a different horse you’d like me to take?” JJ asked Nash.
“Yeah, take Marlon, he needs the exercise.” Nash pointed to JJ’s belt. “You didn’t have to walk all the way up to the house, you should have just radioed to ask.”
“I did. Someone wasn’t answering their radio.” JJ grinned.
Nash gave a guilty swallow and looked behind him. The radio sat unattended next to the toaster.
JJ chuckled and headed for the door. “I’ll catch you lovebirds later. Emma, still looking forward to our date sometime.”
“Keep dreaming,” Nash growled, following him to make sure he left the homestead.
Emma walked away with a giggle, heading for the window by the front door. She pulled back the curtain just in time to see a car stop by the front steps and the back door fly open.
The first thing Emma noticed were the expensive sandals stepping out of the vehicle. The shine on those straps would last all of two seconds with the summer dust swirling over everything.
And then her sister’s face appeared, pale and overwhelmed, looking around like she’d just stepped onto a different planet.
“Lizzy!” Emma gasped so loudly, Nash came running.
“What’s wrong?”
Emma was already throwing open the door as a stranger—a taxi driver she assumed—opened the trunk and pulled out Lizzy’s luggage. Her sister had frozen for a moment, staring at Emma with wide eyes before bursting into tears.
“Lizzy? What’s the matter? What are you doing here?”
She’d barely gotten the words out before Lizzy was tackling her in a hug, noisy sobs wracking her taller frame.
“Em?” Nash’s voice was wary behind her. “Is everything okay?”
She awkwardly turned to glance at him with wide eyes as if to say ‘I have no idea.’
Lizzy lifted her head, her wide eyes huge. Tears always made her green eyes so vibrant. “Who’s this?”
“Um, Lizzy this is Nash.” Emma gestured to Nash. “Nash, this is my sister Lizzy.”
