Page 62 of Where She Belongs

“Rylee Margaret.”

“I have told that man I’m not interested more than enough for him to get the message.” Rylee shook her head, pacing as her fury continued to mount. “He’s asking around town about me and⁠—”

“And?” Roxy pressed.

“And Tate.”

“Who’s Tate?”

Squeezing her eyes shut and taking a deep breath, Rylee prepared herself for the formal inquisition. “He’s my neighbor.”

“Was he one of those little boys you followed around when you were a little girl?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, I liked him.”

Yeah, Rylee did, too. And those feelings had grown with increasing fervor. But this conversation was not about Tate. This was about trying to get Alexander to leave her alone. “The point is, I came to Rocky Ridge to get my head on straight. It was your idea, for Pete’s sake! And now you’ve sent someone down here I needed space from.”

“That’s a little harsh, isn’t it?”

She sighed. “Not really. I want to be able to make the right decision and that’s not going to happen if I have people trying to influence me.”

Her aunt was quiet for a long moment then she huffed, resigned and irritated all at once. “Well, perhaps this is for the best.”

“How do you figure?” Rylee ground out. “This isn’t what was supposed to happen.”

“Sometimes it’s best to compare things when they’re side by side. You’ve been gone long enough. Now that Alexander is there, you won’t forget what you’d be missing if you stayed in Montana.”

Why couldn’t her aunt see how much this was bothering her? Was it because she didn’t know about Rylee’s relationship? Would she feel the same way if she were here and could see how pushy Alex had become?

Or would she take Alexander’s side?

Something told Rylee that her aunt would do just that. Hadn’t Roxy left a life of near poverty to marry a wealthy businessman? She loved her life in the city, and she’d spun it to suit her wild personality. Perhaps she’d expected that Rylee would want the same.

Except nothing could be further from the truth. Being here, in the country, had only made Rylee’s feelings for this place intensify.

“Don’t be too hard on him, dear,” her aunt’s voice broke through her thoughts, dragging her back to their conversation. “Alexander feels a great deal for you. I think it’s admirable that he’d be willing to cross the country to fight for you. He’s a fish out of water there. Perhaps you could give him a chance.”

Yeah, right.

And yet the guilt over dismissing her aunt’s request was already bothering Rylee. But before she could say anything, her aunt changed the subject. “So, tell me dear, what else has been going on in your little corner of the universe?”

“I’m sorry, Aunt Roxy, I’m actually really busy right now. I don’t have time for a long talk. I need to get back to work.”

“Back to work⁠—”

“I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Well, okay, but are you sure⁠—”

“Bye. Love you.” Rylee hung up the phone just as someone knocked on the door.

She growled as she stomped toward the door and yanked it open. “What!” she snapped. But then her face burned as she realized who had come to call. “Oh, it’s you.”

“And you were expecting…” Tate drawled, a concerned smile on his face. It was the strangest combination. Had Lydia said something to him on her way home? Now that she was looking closer at him, the worry lines around his face were deeper.

Rylee reached for his hand and pulled him inside. “Are you okay?”