Page 67 of Never Left You
“That’s exactly what he would want us to do,” he answered, his tone uplifting. “I should call Quinn and cancel today.”
“I wish I could. Sadly, the ranch doesn’t stop.”
My time with Sylas was like it always was, with one simple exception. I told him about the ranch, about Kyla and Rhett expecting their first child, how Lachlan was still fighting any sort of happiness that came his way, and about how Cash was back in my life. And how I was confused about it, but ultimately, I wanted to chase those feelings.
“I’ll always love you,” I told him softly, reaching out to run my fingers along his name, “nothing will take the way I feel about you away, but I can't deny this.”
The time spent at the cemetery with him only solidified that more. It felt right having Cash there. As if he should have been there all along. I was still confused—I was still nervous—but I didn’t want to ignore what was growing any longer.
Quinn was at the ranch when we arrived, ready for her training session. Cash dismounted, and I took charge of the horses while Stetson ran back into the house. Cash trailed his fingers down my arm as he walked past, his demeanor changing into work mode.
I watched as Quinn rode, Hook taking each turn with stride, a smile on her face with each round of the barrel. You would have never guessed she fell off her horse the way she was riding now. She lit up the entire arena once Cash called out her time,each ride getting faster and faster. And Cash was shining just as bright.
He clapped and smiled as she zoomed past him, whooping loud enough for her to hear, and once she dismounted without using the block, he ran over and scooped her up in his arms, congratulating her on beating one of her fastest times. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched.
Watched him.
And damn….there were those butterflies again.
I still had so many things I wanted to ask him, but I also just wanted to forget about it and move forward. Twice now he had almost kissed me, and twice now I had almost let him. Having him next to me the day in the stables, his body keeping me grounded at the cemetery, his breathing keeping me calm while Stetson was talking to his dad. I could still feel the pressure of his body next to me.
I just needed to talk to him.
But not today. Today was the day we were celebrating Sylas, not bringing up ghosts of the past.
The past week, I had been spending every spare moment in the stables. Stetson was helping with a few tasks Lachlan had managed to add to his own growing list, and Cash had stuck around. I wasn’t sure if he was hanging around to spend time with me or to help on the ranch more, but I wasn’t complaining about it. I liked having him here. I liked the connection that was growing between us, and I found myself beginning to crave it.
But because of that craving, I hadn’t looked at the books all week. I had to catch up before seeing my dad and brothers. So after grabbing another cup of coffee, I went into my office to try to distract my mind, even if just for a fraction of the day.
An hour later, I was answering emails about another potential boarding and a bull rider interested in seeing the arena for training.
“Ok,” I whispered to myself, pulling up the calendar on my computer. “Boone is here for three more weeks, the Jackson’s horse leave in ten weeks...” I mumbled. “We have three stalls left. That’s good. That’s great.”
“What’s great?”
I looked up from my laptop to see Cash leaning against the door frame, his hands in his pockets and hat perched on his head. He cocked a smile, and my stomach flipped.
“Another horse.”
“You’re gonna have a full house soon.”
“We only have three more stalls, but I’m assuming Hook, Charming and Nova won’t be here for much longer.” I looked up at him through my lashes. “Quinn’s doing great, she’s going to be back on the circuit in no time.”
He nodded, chewing on his bottom lip as he pushed himself off the door frame. “Yeah she’s…” His voice was hesitant, almost as if he didn’t like the news he was about to deliver. “She’s doing great. Her physical therapist says maybe three more weeks.”
“Eight weeks on the dot.”
“Yeah. Not gonna lie, I was hoping for ten.” He flopped into the chair across from me.
“Well,” I swallowed. “You’re welcome to come train here whenever she needs an extra push.”
Cash raised an eyebrow, his eyes boring into me.
You could talk to him now,I thought.Just get it over with. The sooner the better. Just ask him why…
Why he didn’t come back.
Why he’s still not answering your phone calls and texts.
