Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Tripp stared at his phone, hating that he’d checked it for the third time in the last twenty minutes. He’d sent a text message to Wendy and normally she was quick to get back to him. Usually, he didn’t have to wait more than five minutes. Ten was pushing it.
“Everything okay?” Brent’s voice startled him and his head snapped up.
Shoving his phone back into his pocket, he nodded. “Yeah.”
“You sure about that?”
They were seated in their living room after a long day assigned to fence repair and irrigation tweaking.
Normally the two of them were taking care of livestock management but Bo had assigned them elsewhere.
Not being able to spend time with the horses had been disappointing and it only further cemented the fact that Tripp needed to officially choose the dentistry program he wanted to use.
“Earth to Tripp.”
He scowled at his brother who only laughed.
“I’m sorry, but you definitely don’t look okay.”
Yeah, well he was right. There was too much on Tripp’s mind.
First, dealing with the fact that he was in love with a woman who seemed to be ignoring him…
Okay, maybe she wasn’t. He was overreacting.
She was probably busy. But that didn’t change the fact that she wasn’t ready for anything serious and it was really starting to mess with his head.
Add those concerns to the status of his future career and he hadn’t felt more unbalanced in his life. It really wasn’t fair.
“Fine, I’m not okay. Is that what you want to hear?
” He flinched at the tone of his own voice.
It wasn’t Brent’s fault that he had lost control of his life.
Tripp had done this to himself and the worst part was that he didn’t know how to fix it.
If he told Wendy how he felt, she’d probably run. Or avoid him completely.
“Bo is going to help pay for a certification in equine dentistry.”
Brent’s eyes widened slightly but he kept the rest of his expression schooled. “That’s… different.”
Tripp slumped back on the couch and dragged both hands through his hair as he stared up at the ceiling.
This was one issue he had control over. He couldn’t control how Wendy would react to him.
For that, he’d have to be patient. But right here, right now, he could work on changing his future in other ways.
“I didn’t know that was something you wanted.”
“Yeah, me neither.”
His brother laughed. “So what brought this on?”
Tripp craned his neck to the side and glanced at his brother. “A couple things.”
“Like?”
Blowing out a breath, he returned his focus to the ceiling.
“You and Wendy for starters.” When his brother didn’t comment or ask for clarification, Tripp continued.
“Both of you have these dreams of doing something you love. Whether for fun or for a career. It made me realize that I had something I’ve always been interested in, too. ”
Brent huffed a derisive laugh. “I’d say mine is more of a pipe dream based on the way our folks would disown me if I even looked too long at the broncs going into the arena.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Tripp mused, a smile tugging at his lips. “But can you blame them? A lot of people get hurt in that job.”
“I’m not afraid of getting hurt.”
“Maybe you should be.”
“Why?”
Tripp glanced over at his younger brother again. “Because life is short enough as it is. Risking it all for some shot of adrenaline isn’t worth it, is it?”
“Says you. The fact that you look at it that way means you don’t understand anything.
” The bitterness in Brent’s tone made it clear Tripp had hit a nerve.
He’d never stood in Brent’s way when it came to him researching the field or going to the rodeo to watch his friends compete.
Heck, he’d never even told their parents that Brent longed to join them.
He’d continue to keep that secret as long as Brent needed him to.
Sighing, Tripp closed his eyes. He was being a hypocrite.
Life was too short. Which meant that he was wasting the possibility of having more with Wendy all because he was scared of triggering something and losing her.
Was it really worth it to maintain the status quo?
Or was he just driving himself insane with each passing day?
“What are you going to do with that typewriter and desk?”
Tripp sighed again. He’d purchased the typewriter and desk at the last estate sale with the intention of giving it to Wendy when the time was right.
Something was holding him back. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he got the feeling that it was just too much and it too would scare her off. “I don’t know yet.”
“You think Wendy would want to sell it?” Brent was baiting him.
He knew darn well that Tripp had gotten the set for Wendy.
He was just digging for information. Currently, they sat covered by a drop cloth in the garage.
One day he’d figure out how to give it to her without making her feel put on the spot.
“Yeah, maybe,” he muttered noncommittally.
Brent snorted but he didn’t comment further. They were both grappling with decisions they were too scared to pull the trigger on. Two peas in a pod. Two cowards. And he didn’t even feel equipped to tell his brother to just go for it because he couldn’t do the same.
His brother got to his feet and strode for the door. “Not that you asked, but I think being a horse dentist suits you. Any man who lets his fears stand in the way of getting what he wants doesn’t deserve to have it.” Then he disappeared down the hallway.
Tripp chuckled despite himself. Leave it to Brent to lay all the cards out on the table without a second thought. Little did he know that his last statement applied to more than just the job.
This was getting ridiculous.
Didn’t Wendy know that her messages sent receipts that she’d read them?
One whole week where his messages were left as read with no reply.
One whole week where he stopped in at the shop but she managed to duck out the back before he could talk to her.
One. Whole. Week. He’d continued to capture glimpses of her but she managed to escape him.
No answered calls. No returned messages.
What had he done to deserve this kind of treatment? They’d been on good terms. Nothing made sense.
Tripp was going crazy. He could feel it in the way his body tensed at the mere thought of her. He was distracted. Yes, he’d finally pinned down what program he’d use for the equine dentistry certification, but not even that seemed to quell the growing anxiety within him.
Then a thought occurred to him that had his body breaking out in cold sweats.
What if she’d found someone else and she didn’t know how to tell him?
Just like Olivia had settled down with someone better.
Just like Vallerie.
He’d bumped into her at the coffee shop last week and she’d practically shoved her engagement ring in his face. She was glowing. They’d dated for maybe a week a couple months before he’d met Wendy. And now she was engaged.
Tripp was so out of sorts that he didn’t notice Hallie until he nearly collided with her.
“Sheesh, Tripp. Watch where you’re going,” she muttered.
His hand shot out and he caught hold of her by her upper arm. She squeaked when he pulled her around to face him. Hallie’s eyes went wide and her free hand flew to her chest.
“What is your problem?” she demanded, yanking her arm free when he didn’t immediately speak up. “I swear, you’ve been on one lately.” There was something in her eyes that said she knew more than she was letting on.
“Talk,” he demanded.
She snorted. “You’re the one who isn’t speaking full sentences—”
“Why is Wendy avoiding me?”
At that, Hallie arched a brow. “Seriously? That’s what this is about?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, a growl reverberating from his chest. The logical side of him knew he was likely blowing things out of proportion.
Wendy could very likely be busy. Or something happened and she didn’t know how to tell him she needed space.
But she would have told her best friends, right?
“Yes, that’s what this is about. She’s not answering my calls and she’s not returning my texts.
Any time I see her, she runs off before I can talk to her. ”
Hallie folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not a rat, Tripp.”
Tripp ground his molars together, his patience raw. “It’s a simple question. And one I’m sure she wouldn’t care if you answered.”
His cousin snorted with a shake of her head. “Just because you messed things up doesn’t mean you get to demand answers. If she’s avoiding you, she has a reason.”
He opened his mouth, but she cut him off.
“If she’s mad at you, then that’s your problem.”
Stepping toward her he clenched his hands into fists.
“We don’t have an issue with communication.
That’s actually something we’re decent with.
Like the fact that we’re not dating—at least not in the traditional way.
She’s free to see other people if she wants.
But I still deserve some modicum of respect. ”
Hallie searched his eyes as if she were trying to figure out if he was lying.
Why would he lie about what he’d just said?
It didn’t exactly put him in a good light.
Had she realized that he’d left out the detail that he, too, could see other people?
It might not even matter. She could assume he wasn’t interested in seeing other people or that Wendy hadn’t offered him the same freedom.
Regardless, he wasn’t ready to fill his life with anyone else.
Tripp had officially fallen and all he wanted was one person.
One infuriating, exquisite, adorable southern belle.
Her eyes narrowed. “Like I said, if she wanted to see you, she would. I suggest you send another message or write her a letter.”
He barked out a laugh. “Write her a letter?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Seems romantic, don’t you think? And she’s a little old fashioned in that way. Maybe it would speak to her.”
Continuing to scowl at his cousin, Tripp shook his head. “Just tell me what I did so I can try to fix it.”
Hallie’s eyes softened for just a second, then the mask returned and she shook her head. “No can do. Try someone else.” With that, she stalked off.
Tripp frowned after her. Then a thought occurred to him. Hallie was loyalty personified. There was a chance she didn’t know what was eating at Wendy. But there was also a possibility that she’d never tell him even if she knew every painstaking detail.
But there was one person who’s heart wasn’t built like a tank. And she worked right alongside Wendy every single day.
Tripp strode into the antique shop, not at all surprised to see a flash of blonde hair escape into the back.
Serenity glanced over her shoulder when Wendy disappeared before she turned her attention to him. The curiosity in her gaze was instantly squashed and replaced with a flat mask of unreadability, though he could have sworn he saw some pity there for a moment.
He headed right for the counter and braced his forearms atop it. “Okay. What’s going on?”
Serentiy closed the book she’d been reading and pushed it aside.
The shop was empty and if Tripp had to guess, Wendy escaped out the back.
Then again, she might have just gone to the office and locked herself inside.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she murmured, her eyes darting toward the door that Wendy had taken.
“Yeah, see? I don’t believe you. Wendy has been avoiding me for a full week. She’s done this before, but not to this extent. I know you guys are close. So just tell me why she thinks I deserve this treatment, so I know how to fix it.”
Serenity frowned then she pulled her lower lip between her teeth and gnawed on it.
Finally, she sighed and with one final glance toward the door, she leaned forward.
Her whisper was so quiet he was worried he might not be able to understand her.
“Okay, Wendy is upset. She goes from being mad to crying. But she won’t tell me why.
Whenever I catch her, she pretends it’s nothing and she’s just tired. ”
“Okay, but that doesn’t give me anything. Why is she upset?” Tripp should have come to Serenity first. She was a much easier shell to crack. Already, he was getting somewhere.
Once again, Serenity hesitated.
“Serenity,” he said forcibly, “I can’t help her if I don’t know why she’s mad.”
“You can’t think of anything?” This time she seemed more desperate than anything else.
“Of course not. I wouldn’t drag you into this conversation if I had even an inkling of what I did wrong.
I’m not that selfish.” Then again, he was dragging her into it now.
Who was he kidding? He’d been selfish most of his life.
It was one more thing he’d have to work on.
He cleared his throat. “Just tell me,” he pleaded, his exhaustion bleeding through with his words. “I need to know.”
She sighed. “I don’t know.”
He froze.
“But even if I did? I probably wouldn’t tell you.”
His sharp look made her flinch and he had to rein himself in. “You can’t be serious.”
“She’s one of my best friends, Tripp. And she’s hurting. I wouldn’t destroy her trust like that. I’m sorry.”
None of this made any sense. Wendy was not only shutting him out, but her friends. What had happened?
Tripp had one last hail Mary up his sleeve, but he wasn’t sure it would do any good. “I think I’m in love with her, Serenity.”
There wasn’t even an ounce of surprise on Serenity’s face. “I know.”
He stiffened. “You do?”
“Of course I do. All anyone has to do is catch a glimpse of the way you look at her and they can tell. She’s your whole world.”
“Have you told her that?”
She shook her head.
“Why not?”
“It’s not my place.” Then she frowned. “Have you told her how you feel?” There was accusation in her tone and he could feel the heat rolling through his body. His ears were likely red as beets by now.
Looking away, he muttered, “Not yet. I didn’t want to scare her off.”
“Well, maybe that’s your problem.”
“How am I supposed to tell her when she won’t let me talk to her?”
Serenity considered his question then sighed. “I don’t know.”
Yeah, well that seemed to be the problem lately. No one knew how to help him. “Thanks, Serenity.”
“For what?”
“Being her friend.” He pushed away from the counter and headed for the door. Then he stopped, his hand on the doorjamb. “If you get a chance, will you try to talk some sense into her?”
“I can try,” she offered.
He nodded then slipped out of the shop.