“It did.” She waited a minute and spoke again. “Colt, can we talk?”
“Yes, of course.” My heart was racing with anticipation. I was curious about what she was going to say. I wanted her to stay, but I wanted it to be her decision. We moved over to the rocking chairs on the porch, sitting down.
“I know we haven’t been together that long, but we have a history, and what we have is real. Do you agree?”
“I do."
“I want you to come clean to your dad about us.” That thought shook me, making me anxious.
“You want me to tell him that we’ve been seeing each other, keeping it a secret from him?”
“Yes, Colt, I do. He deserves to know.”
“What if he doesn’t take it well?”
“Then we will figure it out if we get there. He might surprise you. My dad told you that your dad was protecting you from getting hurt. He might surprise you with his reaction. He may understand, Colt.”
“You think?” She nodded her head.
“After that, we can talk and figure out where to go from here.” I didn’t speak. I wasn’t sure how to even go about starting this conversation with my dad. “It’s up to you to show him that you’re serious about us. It’s up to you to tell him. I’m not going to make you or pressure you. It all relies on you now.”
“Okay.”
She walked back inside, and I turned to see a couple of bags sitting by the door. She has already packed her stuff, readyto go. Why would I go and tell my dad if she was going to leave anyway? It would only show my dad that he was right after all for telling me to promise him that this summer would just be work, and nothing more, between Daisy and me.
I wasn’t sure what to do. I wanted Daisy and I didn’t want this to end. Her words felt like she might want to stay, but there was still question about that seeing her bags already packed and at the door. I didn’t ask her what she wanted. Maybe that was my mistake.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Daisy
We had one last kiss in Colt’s truck last night, and I wanted to sit there and let time stand still in that moment. I didn’t want this to end between us. This had been the best time of my life, even if it didn’t start that way.
I got up the next morning after barely sleeping with the thought of my leaving the ranch, my dad, and Colt. I needed to have a conversation with Colt and see where his head is at.
I wanted him to say he wanted to be with me.
I wanted him to tell his dad about us.
I wanted him to ask me to stay.
I was only supposed to be here for the summer, and at first, I absolutely hated being here. Colt even called me out on my crap one night. I never expected to enjoy being here again, and I definitely didn’t have Colt and me forming a romantic relationship in the cards. I wanted us to be together all those years ago when my crush had just started to form and we were basically inseparable, but it never happened.
It was time for me to go back to my place and job in Dallas. I still had my stuff there. Yes, I could find a job here. Maybe I could write about and take pictures of the people here, like I always wanted. That was always the dream, and I know that’s why my dad got me to come back here in the first place.
I thought about the day we helped my dad and he told me he knew about us. I thought about us having a picnic at my dad’s. I thought about the bar and riding horses. I thought about us swimming together and how it reminded me of when we did that as kids. I thought about every single moment between us over this summer.
There were so many sweet moments of laughter and smiles, and some intense moments of kissing that lit a fire in me that I had never felt before.
I had packed up my stuff, because I did have to go back, whether it was to stay for good or to come back here and placed them by the front door. I looked out on the porch to see Colt rubbing his neck before taking off his hat and running his fingers through his hair. I loved the way his hair was slightly longer and curled toward the brim of his hat.
“Hey,” I spoke softly.
“Hey.” He smiled, but I could tell it was forced. “Sleep well?”
“Not really. A lot on my mind. You?”
“Same thing.”
