Page 81 of Rough Ride with the Grumpy Cowboy
“Ava, are you okay? I just saw Zane’s accident on the news.”
“I’m fine, and so is he. He just broke his leg and is resting at home now.”
“Thank heavens. I was so worried. How are you holding up?”
Her words trigger me, and I look up to stop the tears from falling. I’ve already cried enough. “Not so good, which is why I need you to do something for me—don’t ask too many questions.”
“You’re scaring me. What is it?”
I take a deep breath, my mind already made up. “I have to get out of Wrangler Creek today, so please make all the necessary arrangements.”
“What is going on? You still have a week left! I thought you were going to ask me to extend your time there, not pull you out early.”
“Lou, I said no questions. I just need to leave before he dies because of me,” I cry.
“Who dies? What are you talking about?” she prods further.
“Lou, will you be able to do it or not?” I demand, growing increasingly frustrated from all the questions.
“Of course I will.”
“Thank you. Text me as soon as you’ve made all the plans,” I reply and hang up before she can ask anything else.
I hug my phone to my chest and lean against the wall, tears streaming down my face. And here I thought I was done crying—seems not.
My three months here have ended faster than I would have liked, and even though everything in me wants to stay, I know that I cannot. I was sad about it before, but I’m so glad Zane and I haven’t talked about the future of our relationship yet. It would have been so much harder if we’d already given us a label.
I won’t tell him about the baby—he’ll not let me go if I do. I just need to get out of here first, make sure he is safe away from me, and maybe one day, when my family has been punished and put away for their crimes, I can tell him about this beautiful life we have created together. All I can hope for is that he will be kind enough to understand my reason for leaving.
Angrily wiping away my tears, I get to work, packing everything up, erasing the past three months from this room. I know I’m going to miss him, so I pack all the clothes I’ve stolen from him as well. Something to remember him by and hold onto while all this gets resolved.
Once I’m done, I shove everything in my closet and leave my room. I know it will take a while for Lou to make the arrangements, so I am going to spend that time with Zane.
I run into Ella in the kitchen, cutting up apples to make a fruit bowl.
“Don’t tell me you were crying again,” she scolds as soon as she sees me.
I shrug because there’s no point denying it when my red eyes are evidence enough. She pulls me in for a hug, rubbing my back soothingly. “He’s okay—a bit grumpy since he will be immobile for a while—but he’s alive, and that’s worth smiling about.”
“I know. I am grateful,” I reply.
“Good, me too. Now help me cut this up and take some to him,” she requests, fetching an extra knife and handing it to me.
I smile and take it from her to help as requested. Ella is her usual chatty self, and I try my best to match her energy, but even I feel myself lacking. We promised no more secrets between us, but if I tell her that I’m pregnant and that I’m going to leave, she will tell Zane, and I can’t have either of them trying to stop me.
When we’re done, I give Ella one big hug as I’m leaving the kitchen, knowing this is going to be the last time we can interact in a while.
“Not that I’m complaining, but what is this for?” she asks.
“Just because. Thank you for the past three months—they have been incredible,” I appreciate her.
“You’re welcome, but it’s not time to say goodbye yet. We still have one more week, and I have lots planned,” she declares.
She looks so excited, and I nearly crack and tell her, but I hold back. “I look forward to it all.”
“Okay, go see your man now before he starts throwing a fit,” she says, nudging me out the door.
I laugh as I exit the kitchen, headed for Zane’s cabin. I’ve taken this path so many times the past three months, I’ve already imprinted on the grass. It’s going to grow back now that I’m leaving, and that makes me sad.
