Page 75 of Wild and Unruly
I hung my head, then stood straight before pacing away. I did know that. I did. I can’t believe I didn’t talk to her before she did it, though, or tell everyone.
“I need to give you my resignation.” The words left my lips before I could fully think them through, but as they did, I felt a relief sweep through my body like never before. It was the right thing to do.
“Bonnie,” she sighs and sets her hands interlocked on the desk. “You need to be in Kentucky.”
“Find someone else!” I spun around, anger spearing through me. “You broke my trust. I basically blew up my own life!”
“Bonnie, you made a commitment to this magazine, to that story in Kentucky, and you need to see it through.”
I grit my teeth, tears threatening to fall once again as I thought through what to do. I didn’t know what work I could find after this job. If I quit now I wouldn’t get any kind of reference from Virginia. She was shrewd, and what made her a good editor was her no bullshit filter and her ability to see things for what they are without feelings involved.
“Fine,” I gave in, feeling air leave my body rapidly enough that it was hard to suck in another breath. “I’ll go, but when I get back, we’re going to talk.”
Now, I was home and as I made my way to her office, the Kentucky article already in her inbox, I knew what I was going to do.
Virginia smiles as she sees me walk through the door, and I hang tight to my shoulder bag, bracing myself for what’s to come.
“Ms. Helix, welcome home.” Her comment makes something twist in my gut, and I keep a neutral gaze and nod.
“Thanks.” I take a breath, then say, “You need to publish the Three Rivers article. The Trevorses deserve to have their good work highlighted.”
Virginia stands behind her desk and looks over at me as she walks around it. Standing in front of me now, she says, “Tommy is facing criminal charges for his crimes against those horses.”
I blink and feel a gathering of heat behind my eyes, but I sigh and say, “Good. He deserves it.”
“I have a feeling, from what I’ve gathered on some of the comment boards, that he’s not taking it well, that he has a bit of a dark side and won’t go quietly.”
I shrug, pretending this has nothing to do with me. “I’m not sure what to say to that. He hasn’t contacted me.”
Then again, my personal phone was still tucked away somewhere at my apartment, where I left it to not be tempted to nag on Stetson or, worse, not receive any messages from him.
Shit. I hate that I don’t have it now.
“Just…promise you’ll be careful,” Virginia says, squeezing my arm. “Now, as for the next print, I had this made up.”
She goes to a large stand that was facing away from me, and turns it, revealing a large mockup of the next cover ofHorse Universe.
It was the picture of Dani and CT I asked them to use. The sun was near the top of the magazine, with the title of the magazine over it. And in the corner of the magazine was a byline.
three rivers ranch
building a thriving community
while maintaining the sense of
home and family.
by bonnie helix
I swallow, refusing to allow the tears that threaten to come. What the heck was wrong with me? In the last week, I have cried and wallowed more than I have in my entire life.
“It looks amazing,” I comment, finally looking to my boss and nodding.
“So…” She rounds her desk again, taking a seat in the high-backed chair. “Have you thought more about your job here?”
I nod and swallow, bracing myself. “I’m holding to my resignation.”
Her eyes flutter, and she sighs. “I’m sorry to hear that, Bonnie, really. You’re an asset to our team.”
