Chapter 20
Viv couldn’t remember ever crying so much in her life. She had held it together enough to call Greta and talk to Sarah to inform them of a family emergency, requiring her to fly home immediately. They were suitably concerned and upset, offering to help with anything she needed. Their concern almost made her start crying in the office, but she maintained her composure, at least until Sarah asked when she’d be back.
“I don’t think I’ll be returning.”
Sarah looked utterly baffled and devastated.“I thought you liked it here. And you and Wade were getting along so well.”
Viv drew in a shuddering breath, willing her tears not to fall.“I love it here. But you don’t need two spa managers and I need to find a place where I can spread my wings. I’ll always be grateful that you took a chance on me. And you never know, I might call you for that reference someday.”
Sarah clutched her hand.“I understand. You’ve done an amazing job and I would be honored to give you a glowing recommendation whenever you’d like. Please, don’t be a stranger. But, Wade?” she’d added, with a hopeful gleam in her eye.
Viv shook her head.“Sorry, Sarah. That’s over. It was mutual. We’re just too different. He’s a wonderful man. You raised him well.”
Sarah narrowed her gaze.“Not too well if those are tears I see in your eyes.”
Viv swallowed hard.“Not his fault. Really. I’m fine. I just need to make arrangements to get home.”
Mike walked into the office.“We handled your ticket to Syracuse. Round-trip with the return open for whenever you want to come back.”
His words stabbed her in the heart. How could she tell these wonderful people that she had no intention of returning? In fact, she had told them, but they seemed determined not to listen. So, she smiled through the tears, content to let them believe she was upset about her ‘family emergency,’ and said goodbye.
“I’ll walk you to your cabin,” Mike said.
Crap. She had hoped for some distance in case the waterworks started. They walked in quiet until they had left the main guest area and the sounds of people were left behind.
“He’s not usually such an ass,” Mike said casually. Viv glanced up at him, but Mike stared straight ahead.“Okay, maybe he is, but he has his reasons.”
She only nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
“You know his story, right? He lost his parents when he was eight, was alone in foster care for over a month, no one wanted to take him in. Yeah, brutal. I’m a couple of years older than him and wasn’t sure what to think when he got here. Maybe he was another younger brother to boss around. Or maybe a spoiled brat to deal with. I didn’t know.”
A laugh burst out of her.“I can’t picture Wade as a spoiled brat.”
A faint smile curved Mike’s lips.“Yeah, he’s kind of a taciturn bastard. But that’s the thing. He got here and was real quiet. Kept to himself, didn’t really engage with anyone, just watched. He did everything he was told to do, followed all the rules, but wasn’t really a part of the family. Looking back, I’m not sure he ever really made himself a part of us.”
Viv’s heart was already shattered, but it hurt even more at his words.“He doesn’t feel like he belongs.”
Mike shot her a sideways glance.“Even now. He mentioned that when I asked him to take over the ranch side of the business. He thought it was a job, but I wanted him to be a partner in the business, as a family member.”
She stopped him and hugged him.“Thank you. He needs you all. He may not know it, but he needs you.”
Mike hugged her back.“He needs you, too. He just doesn’t know how to connect. He’s spent his life building up walls to keep people out, protecting himself. He’s afraid to lose people he loves. Can’t you stay?”
She blinked against the tears streaming down her face.“I need him to ask me, Mike. And I don’t think he’s ready.”
He released her and stepped back with a slow nod.“You’ll always have a place here with us, Viv. That return ticket is open-ended for a reason. Ariel said she’ll drive you tomorrow. But I wish you’d reconsider.”
She watched him walk away, then she went inside and cried as she packed.
* * *
Wade knocked on Viv’s cabin door later that day, but she refused to answer. He knew she was home because there was a light on inside, but after ten minutes and no answer, he left to give her space. He was woken up the next morning with a call about a broken fence along the eastern line and cows loose, so he headed out with a few hands to gather up any strays before they could wander too far. As a result, he didn’t make it back to the ranch until dinnertime. Without even showering, he headed straight for Viv’s cabin.
He pounded on the door, but there was no answer, no light inside, no sound.
“She’s gone.”
He turned to look at Mike.“What do you mean, she’s gone?”
“She left this morning. Said she had a family emergency. Ariel drove her to the airport around ten.”
Wade took a few steps toward Mike, his hands fisted at his side.“Why didn’t you call me or stop her?”
“I called you, but you had no service. She said you had spoken and there was nothing more to say. Short of kidnapping her, which is illegal, I had no options.”
Wade took a deep breath and nodded.“Okay, well, we can talk when she gets back.”
“She’s not coming back. Greta’s maternity leave ends this week. She’s coming back Monday. Didn’t you know that? Viv was a temporary replacement.”
Wade stared at his cousin, the words slowly sinking in.“I mean, I knew she was here for Greta, but why didn’t we offer her a position? I thought she was doing so well.”
Mike shrugged.“She refused. She said there was nothing for her here anymore.” He cocked his head, looking sad.“What happened between you?”
“Beats the fuck out of me.”
Like everyone else in his life that he cared about, she’d just left him. Fuck his life.