?Chapter Fourteen
?Colby
The barn smells likehay and horses, and I’ve always found it comforting—until now. Today it feels like the backdrop to a funeral.
River’s leaving. She hasn’t said the words outright, but I can feel it in the way she’s been pulling away, like she’s already got one foot out the door. And I’m supposed to just let her go? Hell no. But I can’t exactly chain her to the fence post, either, no matter how much I want to. If she leaves, it’ll gut me, but I’ll take the hit because I love her that damn much. Just don’t ask me to like it.
To be fair, I haven’t outright asked her to stay. The thought’s been on the tip of my tongue a hundred times, but every time, I’ve pulled back. She deserves the chance to make her own choice, no matter how painful it is.
The barn door opens and closes, and I expect to see Lewis or one of the other hands when I turn around. Instead, Richard is standing there with his hat in his hands and a nervous look on his face.
Well, shit. This is exactly what I need. Her dad here reminding me I’m not good enough for his daughter and telling me to just let her go.
“Richard,” I say. “Can I help you with something?”
“No, but maybe I can help you.”
“Huh?”
“I owe you an apology, Burke. And a thank you.”
I nearly fall over. Never in a million years did I expect River’s dad to come out here and say those words. Not to me. Not after everything.
“An apology for what?”
“For thinking you weren’t good enough. For telling her you weren’t good enough. For being an ass, in general.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Well, hell, Richard, you’re not wrong about that.”
“No, I’m not. But I am sorry. I was in town yesterday and the sheriff told me Christian came looking for her. He said you really held your ground for my daughter. That’s admirable, son. And I’m grateful.”
“You have nothing to thank me for. I’d do a hell of a lot more than stand up to some prick for her.”
“I know,” he says. “That’s why I’m apologizing. I had a talk with her last night too. Seems she’s been thinking a lot about the future. Making some big choices. And I wanted her to know that, despite everything, I will support her. No matter what.”
“You mean, the job offer?”
“I mean her and you. If you make her happy, and I think you do, then I’m happy.”
Well, shit. How the hell am I supposed to respond to that?
“Thank you, Richard. That means a lot.”
“I’m just glad she’s got someone like you in her corner. She needs someone to fight for her. To believe in her.”
“Well, I’ve got plenty of fight left in me,” I say. “She’s worth it.”
He smiles and puts his hat back on his head. “Yeah, she is. She’s also the most stubborn woman I’ve ever known. She gets that from her mother, by the way.”
“Oh, believe me, I’ve noticed.”
