“What’s going on, really?” Doris pressed gently.
“I don’t want to leave.” Ryan paused, tears glimmering in her eyes. “I—I’m in love with Seth.” The admission tumbled out as a sob.
“Oh, honey. What now?”
“Nothing. This was why he didn’t want to get involved. He said this would happen, that it would end in heartbreak.”
“Does he feel the same?” Doris asked.
“I don’t know. He said it made no sense for us to be together since I’d be leaving soon.” Ryan’s voice shook as she clamped her hand over her mouth, stifling another sob.
“Well, I did talk to him about the article. He’s a real gentleman, polite, considerate. And when I opened your file, I nearly fell out of my chair. That is one damn hot cowboy. Tall, rugged, broad-shouldered, he looks like he was carved from the mountains themselves. That black T-shirt he was wearing hugged every bit of his upper body and those jeans… oh, my.”
Ryan managed a shaky laugh. “He is wonderful, thoughtful, and… amazing in bed.”
“I’m not surprised, given what you said about Sean.” Doris’s voice softened. “That man thinks it’s all about him. If the woman doesn’t enjoy it, that’s her problem.”
“Not Seth. You know how I confide in you, well, he knows exactly what to do. It was incredible.” Ryan’s chest tightened. “And now I have to leave him.”
“I think you should stay there for at least the rest of the week and next week too, if you want.” Doris sighed.
“For what?”
“Look, you were going to stay another week anyway. The cabin is paid for. Get me photos of that town. You won’t have to see Seth. I’m sure he rarely gets to town. Once you have them, send them to me and we’ll see about showing people that place.”
“I can do that. I can’t go back to Seth’s place,” she said.
“You don’t want to leave him, do you?”
“No. If he asked me to stay, I would in a heartbeat. But I know he won’t.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Ryan’s answer was quiet and firm. “I’ll take photos of the town and get a flight out this weekend if I can.”
“I wish I could help.”
“I’m a big girl. I’ll survive. But please,” Ryan said, voice softer. “Send someone else for the harvest shoot. I can’t come back.”
“If that’s what you want.” Doris paused. “Listen, I’m late for a dinner. Get those photos for me and let me know when you want me to book a flight home for you.”
“Alright.”
“Call me if you need to cry. Love you.”
Ryan leaned back in the chair, phone slipping from her hand, and let the tears flow until her entire body shook with grief.
****
Seth leaned against the metal rail, watching two horses running across the dusty arena. Shafts of morning light pierced the barn’s windows above, illuminating the sweat that gleamed on their flanks as their hooves drummed a steady rhythm.
Cull’s boots clopped on the cement floor as he sidled up beside him. “Hey, Seth.”
Seth inhaled the mingled scents of sunbaked hay and fresh manure. “Morning, Cull.”
“I’m heading to the corn section and check the irrigation lines. Anything else you need done?”
“You may as well check the oats while you’re at it.”
