“I am.I want to marry you, Letty.And if you weren’t so set on breaking up come New Year’s you’d admit you feel something for me too.”
Marriage?No, he didn’t mean it.“Of course I feel something for you!But it doesn’t matter.I can’t do this, Riley.I can’t.”
“Yeah, well, I can’t either.”He went to the closet and grabbed his coat.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m leaving.I can’t continue like this, loving you and knowing there’s no chance we’ll ever have more.We might as well get this over with now rather than waiting.”
“You’re breaking up with me?”
He laughed without humor.“Got it in one.”
“Don’t go.”
“There’s no point in staying.No point in dragging it out.”He opened the door and walked out without another glance at her.
*
Riley drove backto the ranch and went to the barn.He didn’t think anything would help, but being around his horses always made him feel better.
Not this time.
God, he was a fool.He should have given her more time.Should have at least waited until New Year’s.But from what Letty had said, it wouldn’t have made a difference.As wrong-headed as it was, Letty had made up her mind.She wasn’t in love with him, didn’t want to be in love with him, much less marry him.He’d been living a pipe dream thinking he could change her mind.
After checking on the horses and petting the dogs he went back to the house.Fortunately, his parents were asleep.He sure as hell didn’t feel like talking to anyone.He got in bed, but sleep was beyond him.He was grateful when morning came, and he had an excuse to quit trying.
He went down to the kitchen where Mercy was making biscuits and gravy, one of his favorites.Sometimes he thought Mercy had a sixth sense about the family and their troubles.
“Morning, Riley.Fresh coffee is in the pot.The biscuits and gravy will be ready in a minute.I’m going to take this first batch up to your parents and then I’ll be back.”
He grunted a reply and poured himself coffee.It was black and strong, just like he liked it.He needed the caffeine.He took the cup to the table and sat thinking about the night before.He’d fucked up.But what was he supposed to do when the woman he’d fallen in love with told him they were never going to get together?
“Your mama’s feeling better,” Mercy said when she returned.“But you’re not.What’s wrong?”
Mercy had been with them as long as he could remember.She and Lorraine were particularly close, and he and Val thought of her as family.Not another mother but a trusted family member.More like an aunt who sometimes saw far more than he’d have liked.“Nothing.”He took the proffered food and started eating.
Mercy pursed her lips.“Have it your way.Your mama is sure looking forward to having you and Letty to dinner tomorrow.You know, since she can’t see Val, Liam, and Vivian.Hope it won’t be too long until the doctor relaxes those restrictions.”She ran some water into a pan to clean it.“She’s even coming downstairs to eat.”
Damn.He hoped Mercy could find a way to soften the blow.“Letty won’t be coming to dinner.”
Mercy stopped washing and stared at him.“Why ever not?”
“We broke up.”
“What?I don’t believe it.You’re obviously crazy about her.”
“Yeah, well, she’s not crazy about me.”
“Oh, pffft.She sure is.”
“Not according to her.”
“I don’t care what you have to do but Letty needs to come to dinner.And Lorraine can’t know you’ve broken up.”
“I don’t want to tell her either, but what am I supposed to do?”
“This will send your mother into a depression, and I’m sure that won’t help her recovery.She’s still pretty frail.You and Letty are the only thing enabling her to accept that she won’t see Val and her family for Christmas.You know how crazy she is about that baby.”
