She stood, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. “I know about Candy Faye. Your girlfriend.” The words dripped from her mouth as sour as they sounded.
Whit’s expression shifted as he grasped the situation. “Candy Faye? Lila, she’s not my girlfriend.”
“Oh, really? Then why did she travel hundreds of miles to see you?” Lila’s voice was rising, the frustration of the past sleepless night pouring out of her.
Whit held up his hands. “Lila, listen to me. Candy Faye and I dated briefly, yes, but it’s been over for months. She showed up out of nowhere, and I had no idea she was coming. I’m sorry you found out this way.”
Lila crossed her arms, full of doubt. “If it was over, why didn’t you tell me? You had plenty of time to mention you were fresh out of a relationship. Why keep it a secret?”
Whit ran a hand through his hair, sighing deeply. “I didn’t think it was relevant. I didn’t want to burden you with my past, especially since I’m trying to move forward. But you’re right, I should have been honest. I’m sorry.”
Lila shook her head, the tension in her chest not easing. She was no fool. Did he really think he could just spackle over the hurt?
She forced her eyes from his. “I don’t know what to think, Whit. I need time to process all of this. I need to focus on my daughter, my schooling. We need to pause whatever this is between us.”
A ripple of sadness crossed Whit’s face, but he nodded. “I understand, Lila. Take all the time you need.”
Suddenly, Lila’s stomach lurched. She clamped a hand over her mouth and bolted for the bathroom, barely making it in time before she vomited. She leaned over the toilet, her body shaking, and started to cry.
A moment later, she felt a gentle hand on her back. Whit had followed her, his face filled with concern. He knelt beside her, holding her hair back and rubbing her back soothingly. “Are you okay?”
A fat tear clung to her eyelashes. “Camille was under the weather. I—I must’ve caught whatever my daughter had.”
She continued to cry, not caring how she looked. Not caring that Whit was watching.
“Lila, I’m so sorry,” he whispered. Her breath caught in her throat as his hand tenderly brushed the side of her face. “I never wanted to hurt you.”
Her sobs grew louder as the weight of the past few days crashed down on her. She felt Whit’s arms wrap around her, his presence steady and comforting despite everything.
For the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to lean on someone else, even if just for a moment. Lila’s thoughts swirled with confusion. Sure, her life was safe—but it was also tepid.
She had spent so long building walls around her heart, convinced that she had to face the world alone, vowing to exhibit strength and independence, but in reality, it had only left her feeling isolated and vulnerable.
Now, with Whit holding her, she rewound her thoughts, realizing how exhausted she was from carrying her burdens alone. She thought about all the times she had stood at her favorite lookout spot, talking to her deceased husband, seeking solace in the memories of their love. She had believed that was the only place she could find peace.
It was terrifying to think about opening herself up again, to trust someone new, especially someone who had already caused her pain. But as she felt Whit’s steady presence beside her, she couldn’t deny that there was something genuine in his concern. His explanation about Candy Faye might not erase the doubts entirely, but his actions in this moment spoke louder than his words.
He could have left her alone, could have walked when she pushed him away, but he didn’t. He stayed, offering her comfort and understanding without expecting anything in return. It was a small gesture, but it felt monumental to Lila.
She took a deep breath, her sobs gradually subsiding into quiet sniffles. The future was still uncertain, and there were many questions left unanswered. Yet, she was beginning to understand how quick she’d been to push Whit away at the first sign of trouble.
She wasn’t ready to completely forgive and forget, but maybe, just maybe, she could begin to see a different path forward—one where she didn’t have to be alone.
In that small bathroom, with Whit by her side, Lila felt a flicker of hope. It wasn’t a promise of a perfect future, but it was a start.
As she leaned against Whit, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing, she made a silent promise to herself. She would take the time she needed to heal, to think, and to decide what she truly wanted.
No matter what, she wouldn’t settle for anything less than what she deserved.
27
In the days that followed, Lila and Whit found themselves navigating the delicate dance of rebuilding their relationship. The initial awkwardness following the incident with Candy Faye began to dissipate as they spent more time together at the clinic. Whit made a concerted effort to be transparent, sharing details of his life and work that he had previously kept to himself. He often found excuses to join Lila on farm calls, their conversations becoming more relaxed and genuine with each passing day.
One afternoon, as they drove to a remote ranch to tend to a colicky mare, Whit opened up about his time in Texas, explaining his past relationship with Candy Faye. “It wasn’t a serious thing,” he said, his eyes fixed on the winding mountain road ahead. “She was more interested in the idea of what we could be, rather than what we actually were.”
Lila listened quietly, her hands resting in her lap. She appreciated his honesty, even though a part of her still felt a pang of jealousy. “I understand,” she replied softly. “I guess I just needed to hear it from you.”
Whit reached over, gently squeezing her hand. “Thank you for giving me another chance,” he said, his voice sincere.
