Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
“ I t seems she's unable to acknowledge the truth regarding her actions,” Stewart noted.
Despite his inner turmoil, Reilly nonchalantly shrugged at his brother. “It’s been a long time and I’m sorting out what happened with West, her grandfather’s land, and the bull.”
“This isn't the place for her,” Stewart maintained.
“I claimed this house and the land adjacent,” Reilly said through clenched teeth. “She’s paying rent to the ranch. It’ll be fine.”
A frown creased Stewart's brow. “Mother always said Lynne would be the end of you. She knew from the first date.”
“I don’t remember Mother’s disapproval of Lynne,” said Reilly. “Why didn’t she speak to me about it?”
“Because you are hardheaded. She knew if she told you to stop seeing Lynne, you’d hold on to that girl tighter.” Stewart gestured toward the door Lynne had fled through. “She left you in the end. Mother was right about her.” Heaving a sigh, he seemed to deflate a bit. “But for your sake, I’ll be civil. And when the family asks about her, and you know they will, I’ll say it’s fine.” Shaking his head, Stewart gave Reilly no time to respond before he left the trailer, entered his truck, and sped away.
Reilly stared down the driveway long after Stewart’s truck was out of sight, thinking as he ran his hand over his face. Lynne had received no dinner invitations, that was for sure. Mother usually invited everyone around. How had Mother known that Lynne would leave him?
Where had Lynne gone when she’d run out on him and Stewart? Sighing, Reilly walked to the barn and stood outside the stall where He’d found her crying last time. He had never recovered from Lynne's desertion, and reopening that old wound would be incredibly painful. But his gut was telling him they needed to talk and clear the air.
Lord, please allow me to be patient and not come undone. I need to control my anger. Amen.
After a deep breath, he opened the door, prepared to find her weeping again. When he found her sitting in the stall, instead of sorrow or remorse, she glared at him with clenched fists.
“What was that all about? You told your family I left you? Heck, you didn’t even have the decency to break up with me in person. Sending your mother to have ‘a little talk’ was the cruelest thing you could have ever done.” She paused and drew a deep breath. “Did you think it funny sending me texts after sending her to see me? Receiving those voice messages was excruciating; it felt like pouring salt on a wound. I almost didn’t go back to college. I didn’t think I could handle it. But Grandpa cautioned me against allowing you to steal my future. So I went back to school and got my degree.” She took another breath. “I grew to hate you.”
Reilly was reeling internally. It was difficult to absorb it all. He almost couldn’t. His mother? Oh no, she could be biting when she wanted to. Her sharp tongue could strip the skin off a man from twenty feet away.
Though he wanted to walk out, Reilly seated himself beside Lynne, maintaining a respectful distance. “I didn’t know. I swear. All I knew was you stopped texting me, you stopped taking my calls, and then you blocked me. You blocked me on all social media accounts.” He took a deep breath. “I went to see your grandfather, and all he said was you left. He didn’t treat me very kindly. He refused to answer any questions.”
He fixed his eyes on the stall’s aged wooden planks. Has his mother really done something so heinous? Sure, she could be meddlesome, but never anything like what Lynne had described. At least he didn’t know of any other time she’d done something so malicious. But what if she had?
Lynne stole a glance at Reilly. His face, etched with misery, nearly stopped her heart.
“I wish this was a romance novel and we could just forget it and run to each other in slow motion and rekindle our love.” A smile tugged at her lips as the vision took hold. “You’d pick me up and my dress would swing around.”
“I suppose the dress is important,” he said with mock seriousness.
“Of course, and the air would smell like roses.” Sadness rolled over her. “That was our life, and we were manipulated. I spent most of my first year crying myself to sleep. I tried to hate you, but I didn’t even get close. I hardened my heart against you. After I graduated, West invited me to join his practice. Grandpa gave me the money.” She sighed. “The first year was great. I had plenty to keep me busy, and I didn’t mind being on call most of the time. Halfway into my second year, it got around that Stewart wouldn’t allow me on the ranch. People treated at me differently. They seemed to be looking down on me. With Grandpa gone, I was forced to vacate the premises. I found a place above Gus’ garage. You remember Gus, don’t you? He owns half of The Morning Glory Café. My salary dwindled; the outcome was obvious.”
“What did she say to you?” He practically growled.
With a shake of her head, a sad smile graced her lips. “I’ll tell you another time. I think we were both played for fools. I have so much to think about. I’m glad we’re friends. We are, aren’t we?” She held her breath, waiting for his reply.
He reached his hand over and covered hers, giving it a small squeeze. “Yes, we are friends. And you’re right. I have a lot to think about.” He stood and brushed the hay from his jeans. “Need any help moving in?”
“No. I don’t have much. I have clothes and that’s about it.” She stood. “I’d best get to it.”