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“Excuse my French but the fucking bitch deserved it.”
He chuckled. “That’s my girl.” He turned his head and threw me a cheeky wink. “But you didn’t hear that from me.”
“Of course not,” I said, laughing.
“And what of Ben?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “The fact he jumped back on a plane when I was in hospital is totally unforgivable. It’s one thing to forgive an affair and rebuild trust but it’s quite another to abandon someone you love whilst they’re essentially on their death bed. As far as I’m concerned, he made his choice quite clear.”
“Very true. You know, I’m not one for being soppy and all but I am quite proud of you. You’ve changed into a totally different person since you first came here. I’m pleased you’ve found your path.”
“Awww,” I said, teasing him. “Check you out being all sweet.”
“That stays between us,” he said, smiling. “You know, if you wanted to consider staying out here, I could help you find somewhere to live. I’d happily give you a job at the ranch, too.”
My heart leapt inside my chest, banging against my ribcage. Words failed me. What was I supposed to say to that?
“I don’t expect an answer now,” he said. “Just think about it. The option is there if you really don’t want to go back home.”
“Thanks, John. I appreciate that.”
He smiled and fell silent as Brady’s truck came into view. Nerves fluttered through me as I saw him working away on the wooden fencing. With his back to us, shirt drenched in sweat and clinging to every inch of him...damn. I swallowed an anxious lump, trying to stop my mind from thinking of him topless, yielding his hammer, flexing his beautifully sculpted muscles.
He stopped when he heard John’s truck approaching and turned around. Lifting his hat, he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand before leaning back against his own truck. As John closed in on the last few metres, Brady’s eyes met mine.
Every inch of me jumped in turmoil. Those hazelnut eyes held nothing but a flat, emotionless stare. He licked his lips and switched his attention to John.
Opening the window, John nodded towards the fencing. “How’s it going?”
“Nearly done. Should only take another hour or so.”
John nodded. “I thought you two should talk.”
Brady moved his gaze back to me. “We’ve said all we have to say.”
“Anna paid Sophie a visit. With some paperwork.”
Brady closed his eyes, muttered a curse, and sighed. “Fine,” he said. “We’ll talk.”
John gave a single nod before getting out of the truck to help me out. I couldn’t bend my leg very easily which made getting in and out of a high vehicle rather embarrassing if I had no help.
“Thanks,” I said, smiling. I wasn’t sure if the smile was from nerves or gratitude.
“See you later.” He tipped his hat, climbed back in his truck, and drove off in a cloud of dust.
As the dirt settled around us, an awkward silence ballooned into an unbearable atmosphere. He crossed his arms over his broad chest, a small smile playing out on his lips. I couldn’t help my eyes following the defined lines of his biceps, remembering how it felt to touch them, kiss them...
“So,” he said. “You gonna talk or just stand there?”
I raised an eyebrow at his clipped tone. “Really? After everything, that’s how you speak to me?”
He threw me a scornful look. The angry heat radiating from him seared right through my soul. “After everything, you couldn’t even let me explain myself?”
“Well what was I supposed to think, Brady? Your wife suddenly appeared from thin air.”
“As did your fiancé.”
“Ex. You knew about him from day one.”
