“Okay, my friend. As long as you’re sure. And you can count on my support. Seems like a good thing I’m moving back to Bristlecone.”
“Wait…what?”
“That’s why I called. Figured I should let you know before I pop up in town with all my belongings.”
“When did you make that decision?”
“Things haven’t been working out in Florida, but don’t worry about it. I’m not hankering to go back to the ranch. In fact, I’ll be there sometime next week to scope out a property that would be an excellent choice for a bed-and-breakfast.”
“Damn, you’ve made up your mind already. What does your boy think?”
Pascal gave a bitter laugh. “What does he have to do with anything? We’re no longer together.”
“Man, I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”
“It’s all good. I knew what I was getting into with him. Didn’t expect the relationship to end so soon, but that’ll happen when you walk in on your partner fucking the gardener in the garage, but it’s better I found out when I did.”
“Ouch.”
“Have to be careful with these younger men, Gray, especially given we’re loaded. Let’s hope yours is better than mine.”
“Ozzie isn’t like that.”
Pascal grunted. “Time will tell.”
I didn’t hold his belief against him. He obviously had cared more about his boy than he’d let on. The hurt bled into his words and what he refused to say, but it had no bearing on my relationship with Ozzie.
“The minute you get here, you call me,” I said. “We’ll sit over the pit, talk about our rodeo days, and get shit-faced drunk.”
Pascal laughed. “You’re on. Well, I gotta go. Will keep you up to date.”
“All right. Take care of yourself, Pas.”
“You too. Good luck. Carter’s a brat, but I hope he forgives you for this.”
Pascal’s words rested heavily on me long after the call had ended. He’d been so happy with his ex, and I’d enjoyed seeing him that way. It’d been way too damn long since he’d been in a steady relationship with anyone. I’d hoped he would be happy.
Feeling restless, I went to the porch and sat in the chair. The afternoon heat was ripe, but I didn’t return inside. Horses plodded along idly, their heads low as they grazed. This land was my heartbeat, my lifeblood. It was what I woke up to every morning and what lulled me to sleep at night.
Was I willing to divide it with Emma to be with Ozzie?
In the distance, dust billowed, and a vehicle came into view, but it was too far away to make out whose it was. Were they back? I clutched the armrests, a familiar flutter of anticipation settling in my gut.
Instead of Matty’s truck, a silver car neared and screeched to a halt a few feet from the porch. The car door opened, and a black stiletto heel emerged, followed by another. Emma got out,her blond hair gleaming in the sun. She removed her sunglasses, then slammed the door shut.
Her confident strut set me on edge, but I stayed put. I couldn’t avoid her forever, and we still had a lot to say to each other.
“Well, you’re getting your heart’s content.” She stopped in front of me, pulled an envelope out of her purse, and waved it at me. “Just my luck to be served with divorce papers while I was in town making arrangements for myself and the son you wronged.”
“Emma, I already told you about the divorce. Why do you act like it’s a surprise?”
“And you conveniently left out that you were divorcing me for your son’s boyfriend.”
Groaning, I rubbed my temples. “For the last time, I didn’t intend to hurt Carter. Come on, you know how much I love my kids.”
“Hah! You have a weird way of showing it.”
“Can’t we talk about this in an adult manner?”
