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“If you change your mind and want to talk, you know where to find me.”
“Thanks, Red.”
Bree knew it was a lot to ask. It wasn’t as though Red was family, even though it felt like he was. She’d never known her grandparents—they all passed away before she was born, but she imagined the way she felt about Red would’ve been how she’d feel about them.
She taped up the box and drove to the Palmer Lake post office. She hadn’t read more than she did the first night, and once the box was gone, she’d be free of the temptation to keep reading.
She still had another call to make, and it would be far more difficult than the one she made to Red.
They were four days in and Jace was exhausted. Endless meetings filled their days, and at seven, the competitive events began. The after-parties started at ten and went on until two or three in the morning.
The Flying R crew didn’t stay at any of the parties very long, although showing up was expected of them. Bullet and Lyric were the only ones who stayed until the wee hours of the morning. Bullet was there to help Lyric with RodeoChat, along with his stock duties.
“How’re you doing?” Ben asked Jace while they waited for a cab to take them to an after party. “You’re a helluva lot younger than me, yet you don’t seem to be having too much fun. All this partyin’ getting to you?”
It wasn’t the partying Jace was having trouble with, it was Bree. He hadn’t been able to reach her, and from what Tuck said, Blythe hadn’t seen much of her, but when she had, she seemed fine. Jace feared he’d landed in a seat on the same roller coaster he’d had with her in the past.
If she was going to pull away from him every time they weren’t together, there wasn’t any chance a relationship would work between them. No matter what, he’d have to travel, in the same way Billy, Tucker, and Ben had to. They didn’t want to be away from their wives and families, but none of them had a choice.
“Jace?” Ben was waiting for a response.
Before he could answer, his cell rang and Bree’s number showed on the screen. He breathed a sigh of relief. “I need to get this,” he told Ben, who waved him off.
“I was just thinking about you,” he answered.
“You were?”
“Yep, but I always am, so I’d say that no matter when you called.”
“Jace, I need to talk to you.”
She’d started one other conversation this way. He couldn’t accept this was a repeat. “Bree, tell me what’s goin’ on, darlin’.” This time he’d listen rather than jump to any conclusions. He’d learned at least that much.
“It’s about Christmas.”
“Christmas?”
“I’ve had a change of plans. I’m not going to be home for Christmas.”
“Okay. Tell me what’s goin’ on.” Jace was trying hard not to allow any emotion to creep into his words. If he could keep it light, just listen to her, maybe this wouldn’t circle down the drain.
“I’m going away.”
“What about Christmas with Cochran, and your family?” And me?
“Something has come up, and I’m going to Idaho.”
Her voice caught.
“Tell me why.”
“It’s something I need to do. I don’t know if I can explain.”
“Come on, darlin’. Don’t shut me out. What’s this about?”
“Zack,” she hesitated. “It’s Zack.”
There were questions he wanted to ask. What did she mean? Why did she have to go to Idaho? He waited for her to continue, but was met with silence.
