Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
She sighed and shook her head. “Whatever happens, I’m grateful for everything you’ve done. Your vision and your friendship. I hope we can stay in touch once this is over. As long as it wouldn’t be too painful for you.”
I reached over and squeezed her hand. “For sure.”
She took the files I’d made and left, closing the door behind her.
I sat at the table, thinking of all the evenings we’d spent gathered around it. I had loved every moment of it. I had loved every moment of being here in this house. Of being on this ranch with Luke.
I stared at the floor. The past while had been nothing short of amazing. Having some of my family here. Watching the bunkhouses come together. Planning and working with Rachel. Spending time with my mom, shopping and sketching, her knowledge and eye for detail such a help on this project. The shared meals, the laughter.
And Luke.
He was different. The serious, stern cowboy I had met disappeared. He was constantly smiling, his laughter ringing out. He chose to spend time with my family, working alongside them, seemingly as invested in this venture as Rachel or I were.
Until today.
I hadn’t expected his abrupt shift in demeanor. His dismissal of the project. I wasn’t sure what to do next.
All I knew right then was my heart was aching. I had to talk to him.
I headed to the stable, glad when I saw Maverick still there. Luke came around the corner, carrying his saddle. He stopped when he saw me, then brushed past me.
“What do you need, Samantha?”
“Samantha?” I repeated. “How formal you’re being.”
He shrugged as he lifted the saddle over Maverick. “Just being polite. It’s a professional relationship after all.”
I crossed my arms. “It’s more than that, and you know it.”
He straightened from adjusting the saddle. He met my eyes, his frosty and aloof. It reminded me of the first time I met him. Distant, uncaring.
“I realize that. Fuck buddies and all. It was fun. Thanks for that,” he said, his tone flat.
“You bastard,” I hissed, balling my hands into fists. “Don’t you dare dismiss what we’ve shared that way.”
“And what have we shared exactly?”
“We’ve shared our souls.”
He barked a laugh. “Well, your soul is leaving tomorrow.”
“And I’ll be back. You knew I had to go back home and create the program. It has to be done in the studio with the right equipment.”
“And you knew this was only temporary.”
“Why can’t you admit it, Luke?”
“Admit what?”
“That you care about me?”
“Of course I do. The same way I care about my ranch hands or Callie.”
“Liar.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t create a scene, Sammy. I should have known not to start this.”
“But you did.”
“We did. And I won’t lie. I enjoyed it. Every bit of it. But it’s over. You’re leaving, and it’s time to get back to reality.”
“Ask me to stay.”
He froze. “What?”
“Ask me to stay. Tell me to come back and stay.”
“No.”
“Why? Afraid of what I’ll tell you? Afraid you’ll have to admit you have feelings for me?”
“The only feeling I have is a healthy dose of male lust. And you eased that.”
He turned and finished adjusting the straps on Maverick. He began to walk past me, then turned.
“I am sorry I was dismissive of your work. Thank you for all you did. I won’t forget your efforts.”
“But you’ll forget me.”
“That’s the way it is.”
“It doesn’t have to be.”
He walked away, whistling softly for Maverick.
“Luke,” I said loudly.
He stopped in the doorway, not speaking.
I drew in a deep breath. “I love you.”
His shoulders jerked as if he suddenly felt pain.
And he kept walking, never looking back.
I faltered as I folded some clothes to put in the case, my mind going a hundred miles an hour. I thought of all the ads and marketing around love. How it showed happy, adoring couples. Smiling, carefree, their futures set.
Obviously, none of them had ever fallen for a hardheaded, stubborn cowboy who didn’t believe in love. I kept seeing him walk away from me, not even acknowledging my words. As if I hadn’t even spoken.
I blinked away the sudden moisture in my eyes and wiped it away in anger. I was being ridiculous. Luke didn’t love me back. Or he refused to admit that he did. His silence and walking away said it all. It was over. We were over.
We’d never really had a chance.
Heavy footsteps heading down the hall made me turn my head, hopeful. But it wasn’t Luke coming to talk who appeared in my doorway. My dad was there, looking worried, a frown marring his face.
“Hey, Dad. What’s up?” I asked, forcing a smile on my face.
He sat down on the bed, the springs creaking a little under his large form.
“I came to ask you the same thing. You were supposed to come tell Mom and me how it went with your presentation to Luke and Rachel.”