Page 9 of One Summer Day (Prosperity Ranch 1)

“You know, Rex and I have gone through a few ups and downs,” Heidi said.

Macie wanted to groan. Because she knew where this was going. And she was right.

“Marriage is never easy,” Heidi continued, her tone pious.

Macie wanted to grind her teeth.

“Men are never easy,” Heidi laughed.

It wasn’t funny.

“But there’s something to be said about being loyal to each other, and never giving up.” Heidi picked up a jewelry piece and turned it in the light. “Especially when a child’s involved.”

We’re already divorced,Macie wanted to shout. And it was for a damn good reason. Your son is an a—

While Heidi extolled the virtues of overcoming differences in marriage, and even shared a story of a cousin who’d divorced, then remarried her husband for the second time—and how happy they were now due to marriage counseling—Macie thought of the many nights when Knox hadn’t come home. She never knew where he was exactly, or when he’d be home, or if he’d bring home money for groceries, or want to go out for a fancy dinner to celebrate a victory. More often than not, he’d come home in the wee hours of the morning, reeking of alcohol and only making it as far as the couch.

On those nights, Macie knew to stay clear of him in the mornings, and usually the rest of the day. He’d be in a foul mood, complaining about everything and everyone. So she’d take little Ruby out for the day, to the park, to wander the grocery store aisles, or push the stroller for miles along the neighborhood roads. By the time she’d return at night, Knox would be gone again.

Ruby was six months old when Macie found lipstick stains on one of Knox’s rodeo shirts she was about to wash. Despite the sick knot in her stomach, she ignored it. She’d seen women congratulate him after a win, and well, not after a win, too. The women didn’t seem to care whether he was winning or not. They just wanted to hug the handsome cowboy, so the lipstick could be easily explained away.

The next night, she’d taken special care to get Ruby to sleep early. Macie had done her hair, put on the perfume Knox had always said made him crazy, then dressed in something silky. Then she waited, and waited. She’d finally fallen asleep before he came home, but at least he’d climbed into their bed. Macie had taken a deep breath, then snuggled up to him.

“Late night?” she’d whispered, running her hand across his torso.

He’d grunted.

She’d kissed his neck. “I’m glad you’re home, babe.” She moved her fingers across the stubble of his jaw, remembering a time when they couldn’t be apart for more than a few minutes. And now, she wondered if he had that with a woman who wasn’t her.

Knox didn’t move, didn’t react. Maybe he really was tired. He didn’t reek of alcohol, so she knew he wasn’t drunk.

Macie propped herself up on an elbow and leaned over and kissed him on the mouth.

Knox placed a hand on her shoulder to stop anything else. “Not now. Maybe when you’ve lost that baby weight.”

And then he turned over on his side, away from her.

Minutes later, he was snoring softly, oblivious to her tears trailing down the sides of her face. When he left the next morning, Macie searched every pocket of every pair of pants and every shirt he owned. Found things she didn’t want to find. Condoms. A single earring that didn’t belong to her. A receipt for dinner for two people. All things that only proved her husband was no longer hers alone.

“You really should try marriage counseling,” Heidi said, breaking into Macie’s thoughts with a pat on her arm.

Macie blinked. “But . . . we’re divorced.”

Heidi didn’t seem bothered by that fact at all. “It’s never too late, dear.”

Macie needed a breather. She needed to leave the house. Go for a walk. Or better yet, a long run. She’d used to run . . . before everything.

How would that look, though? Running out of the ranch house like it was on fire?

Instead, she said, “Where can I find the bathroom?”

“Just past the bedroom Holt set your things in,” Heidi said. “This ranch house is too old to have bathrooms adjoining the bedrooms.”

“No problem.” Macie flashed a smile she didn’t feel and headed out of the kitchen. She needed a few moments to herself to try to rid herself of the combatting emotions passing through her. She barely noticed or appreciated the beautiful accents throughout the home. A place where Knox had been loved and nurtured by a great family, yet he had no problem ripping theirs apart.

Once in the bathroom, Macie sat on the edge of the porcelain tub and stared down at the blue and white woven rug on the floor. Things will be okay, she told herself, blinking back the threatening tears. They had to be. Seeing Ruby hug her grandparents had been the most precious thing she’d ever witnessed. She could put her pride aside and remain at the ranch this summer for Ruby. Heaven knew that her little girl needed it.

And Macie would figure out the rest. She’d amp up her business, start saving again over the next couple of months, then find another place to live with Ruby. Maybe in Texas. If she lived closer to the Prospers, then Ruby would have more access to her grandparents. Eventually, Heidi would reconcile herself to the divorce, right?

---