Chapter 28
Val
I can’t stop thinking of that pouty fucking look on Sawyer’s face when I left him standing in the parking lot the other day.
By the time he shows up to work on Friday, I struggle with wanting to just throw myself into his arms and apologize.
But when he walks in, a broad, gentle smile lifts his cheeks.
His bright eyes flit over the empty room and his pace quickens to stride around the bar to where I’m standing.
“Hey, I just wanted you to know, I’m not gonna push anymore.” His words tumble out before I can stop him.
Then his warm palms cup my jaw to press a soft kiss to my lips. “I can be patient. I’m glad you made it home from your shopping trip.”
A hot buzz fills my limbs as I let my arm wrap his waist.
He makes it so hard to want to keep him at a distance.
I kind of don’t want to.
With one last press of his mouth to my forehead, he disappears into the kitchen, leaving me speechless and weak-kneed, hanging from the edge of the counter.
I’m just about to follow him when the chime of the bell above the main door warns me of a new customer.
Damn it.
Turning towards the bar with my practiced smile, it freezes in surprise when I see who’s sauntering in.
“Hello, Val.” Eli Bailey walks with athletic grace close enough to prop his foot on one of the stools across from me. His nearly white shock of blond hair is slicked across the top of his head over what looks like an expensive suit.
“Rosalyn mentioned you had reached out after all of these years. Talk about a blast from the past.” He offers his palm across the wood top of the counter.
Sliding my fingers across his hand, he squeezes it and brings it to his lips. “You look as amazing as ever.”
Fire races through me.
I used to have a hell of a crush on this man before I married Chris.
Maybe even a lingering one through the years.
But after Ava died, most of the Baileys left town, and I lost touch with Eli.
He looks even better now with a few years on him.
My cheeks heat up. “Thank you. Where have you been? What brings you through?”
I should pull my arm away.
Except he holds me firmly. “Passing through. Rosalyn found a horse she insisted on buying, so I’m heading to pick it up.”
“She rides?” It’s still hard to think of her as grown.
When he nods, his piercing dark eyes stay fixed on me. “Very well. Maybe even better than Ava.” His voice trails off and finally releases me to straighten.
“I find that hard to believe. Wasn’t she some fancy champion?” I don’t think she did rodeos like Sophia.
Ava did the English shows and jumping. Complete with the short white pants and tall boots.
Eli’s mouth purses, revealing the dimple I used to dream about.
“Three times before she quit.” A cold tinge works into his gaze.
I know why she called it off, the same reason so many of us end our dreams.
A man.
And then Cade McCullough killed her.
Eli shakes his head, then forces a fresh smile.
“I don’t have long, I’m trying to hit Missoula before nightfall.
But I just had to stop by after Rosalyn said you reached out.
Tell me—” He leans his broad shoulders closer, propping one elbow on the bar.
“—would you be available for dinner when I come back by?”
My heart races.
Sawyer has so much of my attention.
Eli is a fantasy.
But he’s right in front of me.
“I’m not sure,” I falter. There’s a part of me that drifts to the past.
Eli stood up for me once against Chris. It’s difficult to forget that.
“Are you single?” Eli’s brows raise as he watches me. “You aren’t wearing a ring.”
“Well—”
“No white picket fences and a pack of feral kids?” His smirk brings out a mischievous glint.
I can’t hold back a throaty laugh. “Oh, hell no.”
“For old time’s sake, then. I mean, you have to eat, right?” His bright grin is infectious. “I haven’t seen you in years, what’s one meal between friends?”
“That’s true.” I’ve never been able to say “no” to him. “Okay, I’ll be off on Monday.”
“Val, you just made my week.” He pulls the collar of his heavy coat up around his ears as he heads towards the exit. “I’ve missed you, I can’t wait to catch up,” he calls out from the door, then pushes out into the frosty evening.
That was a whirlwind.
I never expected to see him again.
Then a chill pools around my legs, drifting from the kitchen.
“Sawyer?” Where is he? Did he go out the back?
A swath of flour is smeared across the prep station.
Weird. He usually keeps everything clean.
But when I step closer, ice locks into my chest in an agonizing stab.
Letters are drawn through the white powder that bring a spring of tears to my eyes.
“I quit.”