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I took the back stairs that led into the kitchen. It was so early not even Mr. Carrington was awake. My heels landed on the hardwood floor and echoed across the kitchen. I clacked my way across the floor not paying attention to anything except making it to the front door as if it were the key to my freedom. There was an obstacle though. A gorgeous one running his fingers through his mussed hair, looking dazed and confused as he headed toward my escape route.
My heels alerted him to my presence. He faced me in his wrinkled dress clothes, blinking as if he were trying to focus.
Why hadn’t I thought he might have spent the night? Because I was an idiot. That much was obvious. Well, at least he was going to save me a trip in my heels down the rocky path to his cabin.
“Shelby.” He rubbed his neck. “I didn’t expect you to . . . I mean, about last night—”
“I know. You don’t need to say anything.” I tried to keep my voice steady while reaching into my purse. This was it. I was moving on. I could do it. Why, then, was my hand gripping the box as if it was begging me not to let go? I had to. I approached him near the door and pulled out the wooden ring box. His eyes widened when he recognized what I held.
Tears pooled in my eyes against my wishes. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but I am sorry for everything.” I took his hand and placed my ring, his ring, in it. “I should have given this back to you a long time ago.”
He stared blankly at the small box.
I leaned in and breathed him in one last time before kissing his cheek, leaving not only a lipstick stain, but some of my tears. “I will always love you, Ryder Prescott. I wish you all the happiness in the world. Good luck with Marlowe, or is that Macey?” Either way he was going to need it, but I didn’t wait for his reaction or response, not that I was expecting one. I fled as fast as my heeled feet would take me. I didn’t even bother to close the door behind me.
By the time I made it down the porch, I heard Ryder call out to me. “Shelby, wait.”
No. I was done waiting. I wasn’t going to wait any more for him to forgive me. I was awarding myself custody of my heart.Chapter Twenty-ThreeI walked as fast as my heels would allow to the garage. Once I got in my car, I tore out of the Ranch like I was late to Nordstrom’s half yearly sale. I blared my breakup mix through the sound system, crying and singing along to every sad lyric. I made it to church in no time. I parked in front of my house. There I took a moment to breathe and pull myself together. That was, until I turned and saw the For Sale sign in front of my house.
What? I jumped out of the car to get a better look. This had to be a mistake. Mr. Jacobsen promised he wouldn’t put it on the market until the fall. I walked up the cobblestone path and, sure enough, the house was for sale. I grabbed one of the informational brochures and had to swallow my heart down. The asking price was well above what he and I had discussed. What had changed? It appeared I was meant to lose everything today.
Solemnly, I walked toward the church on the lonely sidewalk staring at the brochure, trying to think of any way to afford the house. Even selling my car wouldn’t get me where I needed to be. Now what was I going to do? I had to get out of Carrington Ranch. I couldn’t watch Ryder fall in love with another woman.
I was so early to church there was no one at the door to greet me. I was grateful for it. It allowed me to sneak into the chapel unnoticed and slip into the back pew. As soon as I was seated, my emotions heightened and the tears came with it. What was it about church that made you cry so hard or smile so wide? It was like being in God’s presence made you more aware of everything. Like my heart and mind realized the full impact of the loss I had incurred this morning.
With head bowed, I quietly let it all out while I silently prayed to God to help me. To let Jesus take that wheel and direct me. I needed Him to now more than ever. I had never felt so lost or alone.
Amid my silent pleas, I felt someone sit next to me. At first I was irritated that in an empty chapel they would choose to sit near me, but then the scent of sandalwood tickled my nose right before a warm, strong hand took my own and held it between both of his. My eyes fluttered open as if I were dreaming, but this wasn’t a dream. I turned and faced Ryder, who was still dressed in his wrinkled clothes with mussed hair.
