Page 89 of Liam

“I’m happy for you.”

“I am too. I can’t wait to marry that man.”

“He feels the same about you, Ted.”

“I know. I hope you make the wedding.”

“I’ll try, but I can’t promise. I’m not sure I can make it through a wedding.”

“Sugar, you need to go back and get that man.”

“No. I did my part. It’s over. I’ll be fine, I promise. It will take some time, but I’ll get there.”

“I hope so. We’re all here for you.”

“I know.”

As she was making drinks, she heardI Will Always Love Youby Whitney Houston playing and had to go to the restroom before she broke down in front of everyone.

Once she got herself together, Siobhan returned to work. It was nothing like Dewey’s, and she missed that bar. She also missed Scarlett and Laura, but most of all, she missed Liam.

Every night, she cried herself to sleep. She’d lost weight because she had no appetite. It was November, and she wondered what Liam was doing. Working at the ranch, no doubt. She thought it was a noble trait that he worked so hard, but needed to care for himself too.

She smiled as she set a mixed drink on the bar. The man didn’t even thank her.Jerk. Some people had no manners, but most cowboys at Dewey’s did. She choked back a sob.

“You need to go home,” Ted said as he made up a drink.

“I don’t want to. I’d just sit there and cry.”

“I didn’t mean home to your apartment. I meant home to Liam.”

“Oh, Ted. I’d love to. I miss him so damn much.”

“He must be something if you miss him this much.”

Siobhan removed her phone from her back pocket, scrolled through it, found what she was looking for, and turned the phone for Ted to see. She couldn’t help but smile when his eyes widened as he looked at the picture of Liam. It was one she had snapped while on the cattle drive. He sat on Diablo with his arms folded on the saddle horn and wore a beautiful smile as he watched the cattle.

“Holy hell. What a damn fine-looking man. I wish I was single.”

Siobhan laughed. “It wouldn’t do you any good.”

“Because he’s straight?”

“Because he’d leave you alone all the time to work.”

“Honey, when a man looks like that, I don’t care what he does during the day. As long as he’s sleeping beside me at night, I’d be happy.” Ted took the phone from her and stared at the picture. “Oh, my. He’s wearing chaps. I love a man in chaps.”

Siobhan took the phone, looked at the photo, and her heart ached.

“I do too. I’m so lost without him.”

“I’m telling you, if you’re this miserable, how can you not return to him? You’re alone now, Siobhan.”

“I know. I just can’t go back and think he’ll change. He won’t. Not for me, not for anyone.”

“Then you change. What’s so hard about that? I’d hate to see another woman grab onto him and take him any way she can get him.”

Startled, Siobhan looked at him, but he had turned to wait on a customer. She nibbled on her lower lip. Should she have taken him in any way she could get him? Did he love her? Would he take her back if she returned to him?

---