Lenni rushed toward me and wrapped her arms around my middle, pressing her cheek to my stomach.
I couldn’t help but hug her back and gently rubbed circles between her shoulder blades.
Lenni finally let me go and then ran out of the barn.When I was sure she was gone, I turned to Archer.
“Consider this my two weeks’ notice,” I said, my tone clipped.“For real this time.”
He nodded slowly as he removed the saddle from his mount and set it aside.
“I don’t want to do it,” I added.
“Then don’t.”His eyes were liquid as he looked at me.
“I have to,” I whispered, shaking my head.“I can’t break her heart further down the road.”
“Do you have to leave?”He took a step toward me.“Stay, Wyn.”
“I can’t.”Tears filled my eyes.“Don’t you get it?I have to make a break now.Before any of us get hurt.”
His expression softened.“You love her already.I can see it in your eyes.”
“I can’t help it.”
“I know.”He paused.“Is she the only one you care about?”
I took a step back and refused to answer.
He took a step toward me.
“It’s not just about Lenni.Admit it, Wyn.”
“Please, Archer.Just let me go.”
“Tell me the truth,” he commanded.
And when I peered into his dark brown eyes, I could no longer hold back the words I’d been attempting to bury.
“I’m afraid you’ll break my heart.I won’t survive that.”My throat was clogged with suppressed emotion.“Okay?”
He stared at me for a long moment and then he nodded again.“Two weeks’ notice.”
“Two weeks’ notice,” I repeated, defeat piercing the armor of my heart.“You’ll find another nanny.I’ll move out and ...”
“And then what?Where will you go?Back to New York?”
“Yes.After Poet’s wedding ...after Hadley has the baby, I’ll go back.”
I’d go Upstate for a while.Hang out with my parents.Hide from the world.
Why did I keep getting myself into these messes?Why was my heart so vulnerable?
“Go eat, Wyn,” Archer said finally.“I’ve got the horses.”
ChapterTwenty-One
The House
“Wake up, wake up, wake up!”Lenni bounced on the bed and Mildred started to bark in excitement.
