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He’s got a total lumberjack vibe with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and he extends a hand to me as I get closer. “You must be Eden.”
His voice is a low rumble. “Nice to meet you,” I say.
“Same. I’m Edwin. I hope you survived okay.” He winks at me, and I feel a surge of panic because while he’s definitely someone I would have given a double take, my heart is entirely occupied by Maddox. But I quickly notice the gold band that’s shining bright on his ring finger, and I relax.
“Trust me, I’ve been through worse,” I say.
Zara smiles as she steps closer. “I know we didn’t get to talk much, but out of all the guests we had this weekend, I’m glad you were the one who got stuck here.”
I know she’s talking about Monty, and I can’t help a small laugh. “I don’t even know what I’d do if he hadn’t left.”
Edwin gives her a confused look, and Zara waves him off. “Some rich white boy. I’ll tell you everything later.”
I appreciate it, honestly. I’m in no mood to relive those few short moments with Monty. I pull my rolling case closer as Edwin gestures toward the doors, and I give one more glance back over my shoulder in hopes that I’ll see him, but the lobby’s totally empty.
Zara catches my eye, and my cheeks heat, but she doesn’t say anything as her brother holds the door for us, and she leads the way to a massive red pickup parked a few hundred feet from the tables. Edwin takes my bag and eases it into the truck bed, then opens the door and offers me a hand up.
The inside is about as luxurious as any of the cars Sage drives, and it’s easy to sink into the plush seat as I lean against the door. Edwin and Zara get caught up talking with one of the stable hands I hadn’t met, and just as I start to drift into my own thoughts, a knock on the side of the door startles me.
I glance up to find Miguel there, offering me a sad smile. “Sneaking away without saying goodbye?”
I bite my lip and shrug. “Sorry. I didn’t want to bother you.” It’s a tiny lie. In truth, I just hadn’t thought about it. I was so consumed with the fact that Maddox hadn’t shown his face again that no one else seemed to matter.
Miguel sighs and reaches in, giving my calf a gentle pat. “You ever gonna come see us again?”
I want to say yes. I burn to say yes, but the way things are ending, I don’t think it’ll be possible. “Who knows,” I finally offer.
His gaze cuts over to the stable, and then he gives another deep sigh. “He doesn’t do well when people leave.”
I don’t pretend like I don’t know exactly who he’s talking about. “It’s fine. I mean, it was just supposed to be a weekend thing.”
He gives me a look, his eyes dark and knowing. “I don’t put much stock in what things are supposed to be. Just what they are.” He squeezes my leg once more, then takes a step back and tips his hat before walking toward the barn.
My heart’s aching in my chest again because I suddenly know that Maddox is in the stables with the horses. He’s a few hundred feet away, and all I need to do is jump out of the truck and find him. I know in my heart of hearts he won’t turn me away. He’ll sweep me into his arms and kiss me and…
And then nothing. He’ll let me go because he has to.
I’m not sure it’s worth it.
The decision is made for me a second later when Zara climbs into the truck, and Edwin follows her. He shuts the door, but the back window is open, and I rest my arm just outside to feel the cool air. The truck starts with a rumble, and just as Edwin puts the engine into gear, a figure appears in the stable doorway.
I want to tell him to stop, but my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. Maddox leans against the stable door, arms crossed over his chest, a cowboy hat pulled low over his eyes. It shadows his face but not enough to hide that he’s looking right at me.
I want to call out, but words are impossible, and it’s obvious he’s not coming after me.
I feel Zara looking back at me, but I don’t move as the truck begins to roll forward, heading toward the road. Just when I think it’s over—when I think Maddox is dismissing me without a second thought—he lifts his hand and presses his fingers to his lips.
They drop to his heart then, and in that moment, I do the unthinkable.
I blink, and then I start to cry.
* * *
If either Edwin or Zara notices my emotional state on the way down, they are kind enough not to say anything. By the time we hit the little collection of shops at the base of the mountain, my eyes are dry, and all I really feel is exhausted.
Edwin pulls into the gas station, and it’s then I realize I haven’t arranged a ride to my place. I could call for an Uber easy enough though, and I start to unbuckle myself when Zara turns and frowns.
“If you need something, just yell at Edwin.”
