AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Bennett took her hands in his and she dropped the stone she’d been rubbing. As she gazed into his eyes—the same vibrant green as the moss-covered rocks beneath the water—her stomach flipped, and her skin warmed at his touch. He bent down and kissed her gently at first, then with more of the tension that had been building between them since she’d come back. He took her bottom lip between his teeth and sucked until she groaned with pleasure. It was more than just a kiss to her. It was a promise and apology, a gift for old times’ sake.
For a moment, the cascading water, horses, and Bennett were all that existed. The canyon walls added an air of intimacy, a sense that she and Bennett were supposed to be together. But they also seemed to close in around her. They’d lost the joy of snuggling by the fireplace after a long day of branding cattle. Lost the humor of burned meals, the bittersweetness of I’m sorry we can’t both go to market this year, the thrill of signing the deed to BTM. The anticipation of waiting on a pregnancy test while they held hands and hoped for the life they’d promised to give one another. And all because of a stupid misunderstanding her father had gift wrapped with betrayal.
She broke the kiss and leaned back, breathless.
“What’s wrong? Did I do something?”
She shook her head and shoved her desire underneath the weight of everything else they’d uncovered that afternoon.
“I know these words might not be the right ones—especially in light of everything—but I need some time, Bennett. I have to figure this out on my own. Knowing what happened helps, but it doesn’t change the fact that I live in San Antonio now and you live here.”
He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “It doesn’t have to be that way. You have Newman Ranch, Maggie. You can stay.”
She bit her bottom lip to stave off the heat pressing behind her eyes. His taste lingered there, teasing her.
“No. I can’t. I have a life there, a business to run, and too much time has passed, Bennett. My dad may have done something unforgivable, but he had his reasons, and we have different lives now.”
“You love ranching, Maggie. And you’re good at it. We’re good together. Please, give this a shot.”
“I…” Do it, her heart screamed at her. No. It’s too late, her head argued back. “I can’t. When I’m done fixing it up, I’ll sell Newman Ranch to you or John Matthews after I see a proposal from you both. I think we need to keep our relationship business, Bennett. Okay?”
“No, it’s not okay.”
“Bennett,” she warned.
“Fine. If that’s what you want,” he eked out through gritted teeth.
“It is.”
His hand dropped, and she fled to her horse before she could be convinced to dive back into the arms and heart of the only man she’d ever loved.
Maggie jumped into Golden’s saddle and tore off the way she’d come into the canyon, desperation nipping at her heels. The man she’d left behind a second time had suffered enough because she’d chosen to believe a story instead of his promises to her. And they both paid the price for that mistake.
Even now, he was making good on those promises despite there being no hope of a happy ending for either of them. There was simply too much time and distance to bridge.
Tears ran hot down Maggie’s cheeks as she took the corners fast and tight. She needed to get home—not to her father’s house, but to San Antonio, where she could hide in plain sight. Out here, in Deer Creek and by Bennett Marshall, she was too exposed, too raw, too wounded.
Bills and penalties and gossip queens and old boyfriends kept popping up trying to do her in.
Give her the city where the fake neon lights of Southtown might convince her that her stars weren’t cursed just because of her past. Because right now? She sure felt like they were.
Chapter Seven
Maggie didn’t believe in regrets. They were wishes on stars that had already burned out, and what was the point in that?
But she came awfully close to contrition two days after riding away from Bennett.
“Hey, boss. We’ve got the lower field cleared out if you’d like to take a look,” Marty said.
“Sounds great. I’ll be down after lunch. I just have to check the creek crossing for the herd’s move to the canyon.”
“Good deal.”
Marty and the guys took off for the north field to help prep for the insemination now that Maggie’s herd was back under her care. Gander strolled over, his smile as lopsided as his owner’s. Maggie’s heart constricted.
“Hey, boy. Come here. I’ve got a treat I’ve been saving for you.”
She walked to the deck, the dog at her heels like they did this every day. His tongue lolled out of his mouth when he caught sight of the antler she’d found in the forest the other day.
