Page 64 of Take Me Please, Cowboy
Rye turned his back on his sisters, beginning to understand his rage.
He wasn’t just upset with Ansley for what she said to her mother about his family, he was upset with Ansley for having options he didn’t have.
He was upset because she could choose her future, and choose what she wanted to do, and choose where she wanted to live, and he couldn’t.
Deep down, he resented her freedom.Because he wanted to be free, too.He wanted what she had, and he was afraid he’d never have it.
Just like that, he heard her voice again, heard the one-sided conversation with her mom and he knew she wasn’t shallow, or spoiled.She was trying to figure out where she fit in his world, which was why he’d invited her to Eureka.He needed her to know it wouldn’t be easy and she hadn’t found it easy.And now he was punishing her for being honest.
But would he have been happier if she’d pretended all was good?Would he have respected her if she hadn’t taken a good hard look at his family and realized there were issues?
No.
Rye walked to the front door and looked out the glass to his truck in the parking lot.
He glanced at his watch.She’d been gone maybe thirty-five minutes.Could he catch up to her?He could if he left now.But he’d need a little help.
Rye turned around, looked at Josie.“Call Ansley and tell her you’re going to meet her in Whitefish.Tell her you know things went badly with me and you’re on your way.Pick a coffee place you like, and once she agrees, call me, and let me know where to go.”
Josie and Hannah both stood.
“You’re going after her?”Josie asked, eyes wide.
“I am.And we’re going to communicate like two mature adults should.”
Rye knew the roads like the back of his hand.He’d spent every weekend for the past eleven years driving and he knew where the speed traps were and the places he could go fast.Provided his truck didn’t break down, he should reach Whitefish fifteen minutes after Ansley.
Driving, he glanced into the rearview mirror and saw that he looked rough.No shower last night, no shave this morning, no sleep, either, as he’d crashed at the office and couldn’t get comfortable resting in a chair.But he wasn’t going to sell his looks.He wasn’t chasing her down to play Prince Charming.He was going after her to apologize because her concerns about his family were valid, and even though his pride had been hurt, he cared about Ansley too much to lose her without a fight.
*
Ansley had beensurprised by Josie’s call.She’d thought Josie was in Missoula with Hannah, but apparently, she’d heard about Ansley and Rye’s situation and was racing home to try to fix things.Not that the situation could be fixed.Even if Ansley hadn’t had doubts, Rye’s reaction made it clear that there was no fixing this.There was no going back.It was over.Done.It had to be done.This was just too hard.Romances were roller coasters but this was one of those rides that dropped you from a horrifying height, letting you plummet all the way down.It wasn’t fun.There was no pleasure in the drop.It didn’t make her feel good, or more alive.It just made her sick.She was so tired of feeling heartsick.
Ansley parked on Second Street and walked the block to Folklore Coffee.She wasn’t in the mood to meet with Josie, but Josie had been so worried about everything and was making a herculean effort to meet Ansley that Ansley couldn’t refuse the stop in Whitefish.
The coffee shop had a bustling business which looked like mostly locals at this hour.She got in line to order something, and then texted Josie to see what she’d want to drink.
Whatever you’re having, Josie answered.I should be there soon.
Ansley ordered two caramel macchiatos then found a table and waited for the order to be called.As she rose to get the drinks, the Folklore Coffee’s door opened and instead of Josie arriving, Rye walked in.
Ansley froze.What was he doing here?
He walked to the table and hugged her, a long hard hug that made tears start in her eyes.“I’m sorry,” he said.
She still couldn’t process that it was Rye here, and she blinked, trying to chase the hot tears away.
“I was an ass,” he added, still holding her close.“You didn’t deserve that.You try so hard, and I see it.”He stepped back but didn’t let her go.“I’m the problem here, not you.”
She didn’t know what to say.She didn’t know what to feel.She looked up into his eyes and they were pink.Lines bracketed his mouth.Dark circles formed shadows beneath his eyes.Rye looked stressed and exhausted, but he was here, and she didn’t know what to make of it.But she felt a tiny ray of light.If he’d come after her, there was hope.
“Ansley,” the barista called again.“Your order is ready.”
“I’ll get it,” he said.
She nodded and sat down, grateful to take her seat because her legs were shaking, and she was trembling head to toe.
Rye returned to the table with a small carboard tray holding the two cups.He placed one cup in front of her and then the other in front of himself.
