After two days of silence from Zach, Abigails guilt turned to frustration. After four days, her frustration turned to anger.
Shed sent him a text. Shed left him a voice mail. So he knew shed gone home with Seth. But instead of calling to talk about it, hed cut her off.
She finally realized this was Zachs way of making her choose. And it had worked. Shed take loyalty over betrayal, her family over a one-night stand, any day of the week.
She hoisted a saddle onto Diamonds back, settling it on the hunter-green blanket. She was home, and this was where she was staying.
Need any help? her sister Mandy offered from the opposite side of the hitching post as she slipped the bit into Happy-Joes mouth.
My arms fine, Abigail assured her. The gash was nearly healed. Shed have a scar, but hopefully, it would fade over time.
You always were a trouper.
Thats nothing unique in the Jacobs family.
Mandy grinned in return. She was dressed in blue jeans and a quilted plaid shirt, her favorite Stetson planted firmly on her head. Abigail had slipped into a pair of old blue jeans this morning, topping them with a faded gray T-shirt and a sturdy denim shirt against the cooling autumn air. Her boots were familiar and comfortable, as were the sights, sounds and smells of the ranch.
She inhaled deeply. It was good to be home.
The Jacksons put their place up for sale, said Mandy.
I didnt know that. Abigail waited until Diamond exhaled, then swiftly tightened the cinch.
Prices are down because of the water licenses but Edwards health has been going downhill, and with no kids to take over, they have no choice. Mandy tucked in the end of the cinch strap and adjusted the stirrups.
Abigail felt a twinge of guilt at the mention of the water licenses. Not that shed done anything that anyone else couldnt have done. Still, she had helped Zach.
She determinedly placed her booted foot in the stirrup and mounted the horse, pushing the man from her mind. Then she gazed around their vast ranchland, the oat fields rippling, the leaves turning. She tugged on her leather gloves and settled the reins across her palm. I cant imagine selling.
Im not worried about the Jacobs clan. Mandy swung up into her own saddle. Between the five of us, Im liking our chances of coming up with a new generation of ranchers. Even Katrina. With Reeds genes mixed in there, we might get a rancher out of her yet.
Abigail laughed at the joke, but her shoulders felt heavy. Between now and the next generation, everybody would be counting on her.
Her cell phone pulsed three short buzzes in her pocket, signaling a text message. Her mind went immediately to Zach, and she stripped off a glove, digging into the front pocket of her jeans while Diamond started into a walk, falling in beside Happy-Joe.
It was Travis, not Zach. Abigail hated the jolt of disappointment. She was going to get past this stupid infatuation. Her family was her future, not Zach. Even if she didnt produce any babies herself, a new generation of Jacobses running around the ranch would be a wonderful thing.
She read the text. Travis wants us to check on Testa Springs. As the summer ended, watering holes started to run dry, and the cattle needed to be shifted from place to place.
Makes sense, said Mandy. We can take the Buttercup Trail.
Abigail replaced her phone and pulled the glove back on, shifting her seat and focusing on the day. Diesel went up two cents last week.
Though the Jacobs ranch was prosperous, and her father and grandfathers investments provided a cushion against the ups and downs of ranching, Abigail worried about the others in the valley, particularly those with smaller holdings that had higher overhead and big mortgage payments.
Are you going to tell me about Craig Mountain? Mandy switched topics.
The question didnt exactly take Abigail by surprise, but that didnt make her any happier about it. Thinking some more about Zach was the last thing she wanted. But she knew being coy with her sister was only going to prolong the conversation. And there was no reason to hide it from Mandy. Well, most of it anyway.
Not much to tell, she said breezily, reminded of the times shed encourage Mandy to go to Calebs hotel room to be with him. Theyd always been honest with each other about men. I met a guy. Hurt my arm. We had a fling. And Im now home again.
Mandy turned to look at her, obviously fighting a grin. I hate it when you go into so much detail.
Thats all there was to it.
Its going to be a long ride.
I know how long the ride is.
Im just saying you might want to help the time pass by filling in a few more details.
Theyre building a restaurant up at the brewery, Abigail offered.
Im more interested in what Zach-its Zach, right?-in what Zach looks like naked.
Does your husband know youre wondering about that?
Mandy laughed. Was he great? I mean, he must have been great. You stayed up there five days.
And she would have stayed longer if not for Seth. And shed go back, if not for Zachs stubborn insistence she walk away from her family.
It was great, she admitted to Mandy. Hes a smart, fun, sexy guy, and he was letting me help him design his restaurant. I liked that, she admitted.
Whyd you leave?
Irreconcilable differences.
What, over the tablecloths and menu choices?
Something like that.
Abby.
Can we drop it? Abigails tone was sharper than shed intended.
Mandy went silent. Abigail focused on the sound of the horses breathing and their hooves rustling the grass as they made their way up a slight rise.
Mandys tone went sympathetic. Did he break your heart, Abby?
Abigails chest tightened, and her throat tingled in reaction. She wanted to be strong, keep the secret to herself. But she needed her sisters shoulder to lean on. Only a little bit.
They came to the top of the rise, and a vast valley spread out in front of them. Abigail stopped Diamond to take a long look.
His fault or yours? Mandy asked softly.
His. Mostly. Well, mine, too. She had left abruptly with Seth. Maybe she should have told her brother to mind his own business. Maybe she should have stood up to him in that moment and bought herself a few more days with Zach.
So what are you going to do about it? Mandy asked.
Abigail shook her head in answer, both to her sister and to herself. Theres nothing I can do.
You can talk to him. These things never run smoothly. Heaven knows Caleb and I had our share of rocky moments.
Zachs not Caleb.
You can still talk to him.
Abigail gripped the saddle horn. There was a catch she couldnt quite keep out of her voice. Ive left messages. He didnt call back.
Without giving Mandy a chance to respond, she kicked Diamond into a trot.
Abigail couldnt seem to get Mandys words out of her head. Was it better to try to talk to Zach or would a smart woman simply walk away? She couldnt decide. And she was afraid her judgment was clouded by her intense desire to see him again, no matter what the circumstance.
Then again, she reasoned, if her own judgment was clouded, maybe she should go with Mandys. Mandy was a smart woman. Her advice had been specific and concrete. Abigail should take it. After five miserable days she didnt see how things could get worse.
She knew she could use Ozzy as an excuse to return to Craig Mountain. When shed left with Seth and Lisa, she hadnt been able to find the puppy. Not surprising, since Ozzy had taken such a shine to Zach. Theyd probably been together.
Mind finally made up, she headed for the brewery, easily finding Zach alone in an office.
She breezed in, playing it cool, pretending there hadnt been a seismic shift in their relationship. Half of her hoped hed pull her into his arms. The other half knew that was a hopeless fantasy.
I tried to call you, she began, hoping against hope for a simple, logical explanation that would switch everything back to normal.
But instead of answering, he stepped behind the wide desk, obviously putting some distance between them. His expression was guarded. You shouldnt have come here, Abigail.
Her faint hope fled. You should have returned my call.
I didnt want to disturb you. I knew youd be busy. Youve told me what its like on the ranch. His tone was cool. His eyes were cold.
She wanted to run from the chill, but she forced herself to step closer, coming up against the desk. She gathered her courage. Is this you pouting?
No.
I didnt pick my family over you.
I didnt say you did.
Then why wont you talk to me?
Were talking now.
This isnt talking.
He drew a tight breath. Trust me, Doll-Face. This is talking. And you need to listen. His words dropped like icicles. It was always going to be temporary between us.
Her lungs went tight, and she couldnt catch her breath.
And its over, he finished, and her heart sank like a stone.
She shouldnt have come. Shed completely misjudged the situation. How she wished shed stayed away. Hed wanted her to leave.
She swallowed hard, a sick feeling bubbling up from the pit of her stomach. Oh, no. Had he been waiting for her to leave? Maybe hed asked her to stay only out of politeness.
She took a shaky step backward, a chill coming over her body, while humiliation washed through her. The fling had run its course, and shed embarrassed them both by showing up like this.
She struggled to speak, her voice going small. I came back to get Ozzy.
Something flashed through Zachs eyes. Ozzys fine.
She gathered her pride. Im sure you took good care of him, and I thank you for that.
He can stay.
A fresh flash of pain seared Abigails chest.
I dont think he likes the ranch, said Zach.
Hell get used to the ranch. The puppy was hers, not Zachs.
Why should he have to do that?
Because its his home. Hes my dog, not yours. If she couldnt have Zach, she could at least have Ozzy. She knew her emotions were off kilter, but giving up the puppy suddenly seemed like a final defeat.
Leave him here, Abby.
Her voice rose. I want my dog.
Hes more my dog than yours.
Thats not true.
Zach braced his hand on the desktop. Hes happy here. Let him be happy. Why dont you want him to be happy?
I do want him to be happy. I want him to be happy with me.