Chapter Thirteen
By lunchtime on Monday, Hunter was so tired, he was struggling to keep his eyes open.
He was still so ticked off by Willow’s response to his text the previous evening.
After everything, after they’d made love, all he got was a damn thumbs-up emoji.
Well, what had he expected? He’d wanted to know if she was okay and she’d shown him.
With a thumb, but at least he knew she was safely in Seattle.
When he’d left the Weston ranch the previous morning, he’d thought he might find a place to stay for the night somewhere along the way, but he hadn’t had the energy to face other people and only stopped for gas and something to eat.
He’d reached the ranch outside Denver a little after nine that night.
This morning, he’d been up early to talk to his dad about taking over the management of the ranch.
At least his timing was perfect for returning home.
For the first time, his dad seemed relieved to know he wouldn’t be solely responsible for the management anymore.
The rest of the morning he’d used to familiarize himself with what was going on at the ranch and had spoken to the team of cowboys, many of whom had been working here ever since he could remember.
He’d already had plans drawn up a few years ago for a house he wanted to build for himself when he finally returned to the ranch, it was time to put those plans into action.
Until then, he would stay in the small cabin within walking distance from his parents’ house—where he’d stayed before he’d left for Montana.
He missed Willow with every breath he took. Images of her smile, the light in her eyes when they made love, those long, sexy legs wrapped around him, were constantly feeding the deep ache inside of him.
As he walked into the house, his stomach growled, reminding him of how hungry Willow was when they’d visited the Garden of Lights. And there she was back in his thoughts.
Only Jade was at the kitchen table, having lunch.
“Where are Mom and Dad?” he asked as he sat down.
She grinned. “Drove into town to book a vacation. I’ve tried to convince them they could do everything online or even just phone someone, but I think they’re enjoying the freedom of doing what they want to, when they want to because there is someone here to look after the ranch.”
As he helped himself to some food, he looked at his sister. “You look pleased with yourself. Any specific reason?”
With twinkling eyes, she turned her hand, and he saw the engagement ring she was wearing.
His eyes widened. “Engaged? Wow. Congratulations. Have I met the lucky guy?”
Blushing a pretty pink, she beamed. “It’s Wilder Nelson.”
“As in your arch enemy for most of your life, Wilder Nelson?”
Smiling, she nodded. “Turns out, we’ve loved each other since forever.”
He got up to give her a hug. “Well, if you’re happy, I’m happy. But I would like to talk to him.”
“As long as you don’t do that Neanderthal impression you always do whenever I bring anyone home.”
“I never liked the other guys you brought home. Wilder is okay.” Sitting down, he shook his head. “You’ve always been so irritated by just the mention of his name. And now you’re engaged to the guy.”
Jade laughed. “What can I say? I’m so happy!”
Nodding, Hunter picked up his knife and fork.
Initially, Willow too, had seemed to be angry with him for some or other reason.
He’d thought it was because he’d taken her home when she’d had too much to drink and had to undress her.
Things had changed dramatically since the night of their fake engagement, though.
Images of their night together ran through his mind. Making love to Willow Weston was something entirely different to anything he’d experienced before. He’d been like a mad man, unable to get enough of her.
“… looking so lost?” His sister’s voice finally penetrated his thoughts.
He quickly looked up.
Jade leaned forward. “Talk to me, what’s wrong? And don’t tell me nothing, I know you too well.”
“There was someone, it didn’t work out.”
Jade frowned. “What did she do to you?”
He couldn’t help smiling. “You sound like her brothers.”
“Tell me about her.”
And leaning back in his chair he told his sister about Willow, from the first day he’d seen her to their ridiculous fake engagement. “So, she left early Sunday morning for Seattle and I … well, I returned home.”
Clearly stunned, she stared at him. “Did she say anything before she left?”
He shook his head.
“But you’ve told her you loved her?”
“No, of course not. We had a deal. She left, I told the family the engagement has ended, and I returned to Colorado. It wouldn’t have made any difference.”
Jade glared at him. “Of course it’ll make a difference, you idiot.
If you really love her, go to her, tell her how you feel.
If I hadn’t walked up to Wilder and told him I’ve figured out he makes me so mad because I have feelings for him, I wouldn’t have known he loves me, too.
Nobody talks about feelings in his family, he didn’t know how to.
But you’ve never been scared to show what you feel, to trust your gut, that’s why you were able to walk away from someone as toxic as your first girlfriend. What was her name again?”
“Linda.”
She nodded. “I’ve never heard you talk about a woman like you talk about Willow Weston. Your whole being lights up. What kind of artist is she?”
“Beautiful,” slipped out before he could stop the word.
Jade rolled her eyes. “Oh, man, you have it bad. I’m talking about her art.”
Hunter grinned sheepishly. “She’s known for her Montana landscapes. Although, she’s done something different as well.”
“Different how?”
He got up. There were things he’d rather not talk about. “Different. I’ve got to go.”
“Did she leave the ring?”
He looked up quickly, he hadn’t even thought about it. “The ring? No.”
“See?”
“I know she’s struggled to get it off. That’s probably why. I don’t think she means to keep it.”
“How do you know? Go and see her, please?”
Shrugging, he shook his head. “She’s on a ranch near Marietta, Montana, miles from here. I’m taking over from Dad, it’s what we’ve always talked about. Besides, she was very clear about never getting married.” Although everything inside of him wanted to go to Willow, nothing had changed.
“Nothing says you have to get married, remember? The question, my dear brother, is whether you want to be with her or not. If you do, you’ll find a way.”
He shook his head. “There’s no way I could be with her only to have to leave her again. I won’t survive that. Dad needs me to help with the ranch, you know it. I’ve got to go.”
*
On Wednesday, Willow was invited for a lunch with Greg and his wife Eden.
The two of them were already at the table when Willow arrived. Eden was short, rake-thin, her black hair cut short in a pixie style, and had a warmth in her wide, generous smile that always managed to brighten the grimmest day.
“Sorry, the interview took longer than I thought. Thanks for all your help setting up the interviews …”
Eden’s soft squeal interrupted her. “Willow, you’re engaged!” she called out. Elbowing her husband, she grabbed Willow’s hand. “Why didn’t you tell me? This is big news! What a beautiful ring!”
Willow quickly removed her hand. “No, it’s a long story, but I’m actually not engaged any longer. I’ve tried, but I can’t get the ring off my finger. I probably need to go to a goldsmith or a jewelry shop, but there simply hasn’t been time this week.”
“Isn’t that interesting?” Eden said. “Maybe the ring doesn’t want to be taken off?”
Shrugging, Willow turned to Greg. She was way too raw to talk about the engagement. “How are things at the gallery?”
“Most of your work has already been sold,” Greg said, clearly very pleased. “I’m worried there’ll be nothing left for clients who arrive on opening night. You don’t perhaps have a few more paintings back home?”
Willow nodded slowly. “There are two more landscapes in my studio, and three others, but they’re very different in style and subject to everything else I’ve done before. They are also not for sale. Two are portraits—not something I’ve tried before. You may not like them.”
Greg’s eyes shone with excitement. “I don’t mind what you’ve done, I know it will be good. It’s always an excellent idea to show people what you else you do even if you don’t want to sell it. Give me a minute.” Taking out his phone, he got up and walked away.
“You’ve just made his day,” Eden said. “So, what happened …?”
Fortunately, the waiter arrived with menus just as Greg returned with his phone in his hand. “I have a company that can pick up whatever you have, tomorrow. Do you have someone who would be able to help on that side?”
Willow frowned. She’d spoken too quickly. “I don’t know, Greg, maybe it’s not a good idea. They’re not even properly dry yet.” Her family would be here Friday, how would she explain the portraits she’d done of Hunter to them?
“You know that’s not a problem for me. Look, even if I have to fly to Montana myself to make sure they’re probably wrapped, I’ll do it. While I order wine, why don’t you see if you can get someone to be at your studio for the couriers, otherwise I’ll book a ticket to fly to the nearest airport.”
“Your ex-fiancé isn’t perhaps still there to help?” Eden was clearly dying to know what had happened.
“No, he’s not there,” Willow said. “Let me see what I can arrange. Please excuse me.” Grabbing her phone, she got up and walked away.
The only person she could ask was Cooper. He’d helped her before, so he would know what to do and, bonus, he wouldn’t freak out like Hayden and Becket would do when they saw her portraits of Hunter.
Minutes later, she was back at the table. “Cooper, my youngest brother will meet the couriers. He knows what to do, he’s helped me before.”
Greg’s phone was already out again. “Great, let me finalize this.”
*
Thursday morning Hunter was on his horse checking fences.
Needing to be on his own, he’d volunteered for the job.
It was difficult to be around other people these days.
His mind seemed to be stuck on Willow. He missed her with every breath he took.
Following any kind of conversation was difficult.
So was focusing on anything. He hoped being out on his horse would clear his mind, but nothing seemed to be able to do that.
The loud ping of his phone brought him out of his reverie and his heart tripped. The text wasn’t from Willow, though, it was from Cooper. True to form, Cooper only used the necessary words to convey his message.
“Get to the damn opening.”
Below the terse words was an invitation with all the details of Willow’s opening night.
Sighing, he looked up at the beautiful snowcapped Rocky Mountains. The mountains near the Weston ranch, he’d discovered while working there, were called the Absaroka Range but also formed part of the Rocky Mountains.
However, even though the mountains he and Willow saw everyday were part of the same mountain range, they were living their lives miles apart. Six hundred and sixty-eight, to be precise. Nine hours by road, more or less.
Also, she wasn’t interested in getting married, remember?
Okay, he hadn’t been in any hurry to get married, either.
It had been something that would happen at some point when he met the right girl.
Now he’d met the right one for him, the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, but things couldn’t be more complicated.
Or was it? Maybe he should just go and see Willow, talk to her, tell her how he felt about her. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a compromise.
His heart lighter, he turned Nellie around. She wasn’t Skye, the grey he’d left on the Weston ranch, but they’d known one another for a long time. The mare had felt his urgency and lengthened her strides.
“That’s a good girl.” He leaned forward.
As Nellie raced back to the stables, he felt lighter. As Cooper had suggested, he was going to the damn opening.