Page 8 of Perfect Cowboy

“Gavin.” I watch his gorgeous blue eyes close against the sound of my voice whispering his name. “Please don’t.”

“Don’t do what?” he asks, still not turning back to face me.

“Look away from me like you can’t stand the sight of me.”

Now he does glance back and for just a split second, it’s us again, our gazes connecting and sharing thousands of thoughts we don’t have the courage to voice.

But then his face hardens with a frown. “Were you expecting a warm welcome? The people in this town have long memories, and we don’t like thieves.”

Now Gavin has answered the question my heart always wondered – I can’t count on him to be a safe haven anymore.

He will save me from physical harm – and just proved it.

But he won’t protect my heart like it’s the most precious thing in his life.

Not anymore.

And then the dumb, hopeful organ breaks all over again for everything we’ve lost and will never be able to get back.

I don’t deserve him. I never did. But that doesn’t make the rejection hurt any less.

“Why didn’t you let Mr. McGraw hit me then?” I challenge.

“I’m not going to stand around and let any man lay hands on any woman, even if the woman is one I hate more than anyone else on the planet. But don’t keep getting yourself into trouble because I won’t always be there to prevent the riot.”

Jesus.

He says that he hates me without flinching, and the words impale the last hopeful place inside me, bringing a fresh wave of tears to my eyes.

“I hate you, too,” I snap, which is completely untrue, but feels like the only appropriate thing to say back to him.

“Glad we’re on the same page for once. Why did you come here?” he demands, resentment lighting his eyes and making them glow.

But even at his angriest, I don’t fear Gavin. He would never hurt me. Unlike Mr. McGraw, who was about to physically accost me in a public place.

Maybe it’s not just my mental well-being that’s in danger now that I’m back home.

Maybe I underestimated just how much damage my family did to everyone here.

Maybe my life is at risk.

“I had no goddamn choice!” I shout. “Do you think Iwantto be here? Do you think if I had any other options that I’d choose to come back to Montana?”

“I don’t care about your problems,” Gavin says flatly. “Just do everyone a favor and go back where you came from, city girl.”

Chapter 3

Gavin

AshleyGibson.

I never thought I’d hear that name again, except from townspeople who still curse her family’s existence.

There are two things you can’t control in life – the weather and other people. And of course, a terrible storm is arriving in town at the same time as Ashley.

I’ve thought about her on and off over the years because you just don’t forget your first.

Sometimes memories smash me in the face when I least expect them. In a small town, everything is familiar and certain places become associated with the people who you discovered them with.

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