Chapter 16 #3
“I see.” Lucy reached across the table and grasped his hand. “Why didn’t you stop her?”
“She didn’t want to stay.”
“Are you sure?”
“No, I’m not sure.” He ran the fingers of his free hand through his hair. “I’m not sure of anything right now.”
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
“Of course. And I’m sorry things didn’t quite work out the way you wanted.” She smiled as she released his hand. “Perhaps there’s another woman in town you might be interested in.”
He stared at her, dumbfounded. He didn’t want any other woman. He wanted Sheridan, even though it was obvious she didn’t want him. “No,” he stated emphatically. “I’m done. I’m not meant to have love in my life.”
She shook her head. “I don’t believe that’s true and I don’t think you are as you say ‘done’. I think you should go see her, talk to her, see if she feels the same way as you.”
Yes, that’s what he should do. What he should have done in the first place instead of coming to see Lucy.
Actually, he should never have let Sheridan leave the ranch.
He should have asked her to stay, be married for real.
That’s what he should have done, even if she didn’t love him the way he loved her.
Love could grow, but he’d never know until he talked to her and begged for her forgiveness for being such an ass.
He rose from his seat, his coffee still untouched, and strode for the front door. Lucy followed, then handed him his hat from the hatrack.
“Katie’s back in town,” she stated bluntly. “I ran into her at Sullivan’s. She was asking about you.”
“I know. I saw her as well.” He gave her a slight nod then left her in the doorway, strode down the walkway and climbed into Brigadier’s saddle.
He kneed the horse harder than he should have.
Brigadier didn’t move. He simply turned his head and looked at him, reproach filling his dark eyes.
Wyatt took a deep breath. Just because he was angry and confused and downright stupid didn’t mean he could take it out on Brigadier. “I’m sorry.”
That seemed to appease Brigadier and the horse moved forward. It didn’t take long to reach Josie’s.
He tied Brigadier’s reins to the post outside the house, then took the stairs two at a time. He knocked on the door, though he could have just walked right in. The door swung open a few minutes later to reveal Mrs. Gallagher. She took one look at him and tsked like he was an errant child.
“I’m here to see Sheridan.”
Mrs. Gallagher tsked again and shook her head. “She isn’t seeing anyone right now, Wyatt.” Her tone was brusque, accusing. “You hurt her.”
“I know. I just want to tell her I’m sorry. I was a fool.”
“Yes, you were,” she said, then closed the door in his face.
Wyatt stood on the porch, staring at the mahogany panels and etched glass of the door, completely and utterly flummoxed. He could have barged into the house, but that wasn’t his way. Still, if he wanted Sheridan, he had to show her.
He opened the door, strode past a startled Mrs. Gallagher and climbed the stairs, taking them two at a time, then knocked softly on Sheridan’s door.
“Go away.”
“Sherry, it’s Wyatt. Please open the door.”
There was silence on the other side then a choked, “I don’t want to see you.”
“I’m sorry.” The silence continued. He should tell her that he loved her, shout the words through the door.
Hell, shout it from the rooftops until she heard it, so what was stopping him?
Perhaps it was the attention he’d drawn as Lily and Barrie, along with their paramours, opened their doors to stare at him. He ignored them as best he could.
“Sherry?”
Still no answer.
“You should break the door down, son.” That suggestion came from a man he didn’t recognize, who stood next to Lily with a wide grin on his face.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Butch. It’s none of your business. Besides, no woman wants to be bullied.” Lily grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back into the room. The door closed a second later to the accompaniment of laughter.
Barrie simply stared at him then gave him a slow smile and a quick nod. “Be patient, Wyatt,” she said before she turned her attention to her gentleman caller. “Let’s leave them alone,” she whispered as she rose on her toes and kissed the man, slowly pushing him beyond the door.
Wyatt took a deep breath. Should he take Butch’s advice and break the door down? Or Barrie’s? He stuffed his hands in his pockets. He just didn’t know. He wasn’t much good with words, and truthfully, at this moment, he didn’t trust his own heart. Still, he tried. “Sherry? Talk to me.”
Still no answer, but he did hear soft sobs and that made his heart hurt even more. He’d done that to her—made her cry—and he never wanted to do that to her. Or any woman for that matter.
At a loss as to what to do, he slowly turned away from the door to see Mrs. Gallagher huffing up the stairs, a silver tea service in her hands.
“Let me talk to her. You can wait in the parlor.” She nudged him with the tray, making him move, then she just stood there until he went downstairs.