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“Sweetheart, only you know what is in your best interest. Only you can decide what you want from your life. The only thing I want you to consider is whether or not these decisions will make you happy five years down the road. Even ten years. If there is even a slight chance you will look back on this moment and realize you shut out someone who was perfect for you, then perhaps you could try to keep an open mind. Don’t push someone away out of fear or frustration. Love is an amazing tool. You’d be surprised how much it can heal.”
She stared at her father, completely baffled. Her shoulders slumped and the pressure in her chest deflated. He’d given her his opinion, then told her she needed to figure it out on her own. It was a small gesture, but that’s all it took for her to feel seen.
27
Tristan
Tristan fidgeted with his keys. When they’d set up this therapy thing in the beginning, Shane had assured him that he could leave Mathew in Dianna’s capable hands. It wasn’t that Tristan hadn’t believed his friend; he’d just been overprotective. Then everything had shifted and he continued to be present during their sessions because he wanted to spend time with Dianna.
He didn’t think he’d be able to stay in the same area as her, not so soon after their breakup. So he’d told Mathew he had errands to run.
Dianna would be arriving any minute, and he wasn’t sure how she’d react to him leaving. At this point he figured it could go either way. She might be upset, or she’d be relieved.
Mathew stood at the window, bundled up and ready for their walk to the arena where he’d get his session. Then they’d come back to the cabin for his schoolwork.
Tristan had called the sitter to come over in a few hours so he could be gone for most of the day. He kept telling himself this was what she wanted. Dianna didn’t want to be smothered. She wanted space. As much as that pained him, maybe she made a good point.
“She’s here! She’s here!” Mathew spun around and glanced at Tristan. “When are you going to be back?”
He ruffled Mathew’s hair and smiled. “I’ll be back by dinner.”
Mathew hurried to the door and yanked it open before Dianna had a chance to knock. “My dad is going away today. It’s just gonna be us.”
Dianna’s surprised expression lifted to his and she blinked. “Oh?”
Mathew grabbed her hand. “Yup. He said he has some errands to run, but he’ll be here before dinner. Are you going to have dinner with us?”
Tristan grimaced. He probably should have told Mathew in more detail what he meant when he said Dianna would be spending less time with them. He avoided her gaze as he dropped down to pull Mathew close. “Remember when I said that Miss Dianna wouldn’t be spending as much time over here?”
Mathew frowned.
“Well, she’s going to be busy and—”
“She’s always busy. And she still stays.” He spun around, pulling away from Tristan as he lifted his face to Dianna. “You said you liked spending time here.”
Tristan risked meeting her eyes and immediately regretted it. Her large eyes were pools of pain and hesitation. Nothing had changed. But why would it? She didn’t want to be with him. She’d said as much over and over again. She was probably wondering why he didn’t just get the hint and walk away.
He had mixed feelings over such a notion. Grace had given him a sliver of hope. He’d grasped onto it so tightly he couldn’t figure out where his longing ended and her suggestion began.
Dianna seemed to be frozen to her spot. He couldn’t blame her. Mathew could be so direct sometimes.
Tristan took in a deep breath and rose. He placed a hand on Mathew’s shoulder and gave him a small smile. “I’m sure Miss Dianna would love to stay, but she won’t be able to today. Besides, Kimberly will be here in an hour or so. You’ve been wanting her to come back, remember? You said she promised to show you how to solve the Rubik’s Cube.”
Mathew shot a look in Dianna’s direction, then brought it back to Tristan. “I guess.”
Tristan patted him on the shoulder. “Go find your cowboy boots while I speak with Miss Dianna.”
Mathew left without a word, leaving him with no buffer between himself and Dianna. She stood stiffly in the doorway. There were a thousand things he wanted to say and no way to form the words.
Shifting, he put his weight on one foot then the other. “I wanted to let you know that I was heading to town for the day—getting some last-minute Christmas presents. Mathew has his work set out for when you’re done, and Kimberly will be here soon so you don’t have to wrangle him all on your own.”
There was a heaviness in the air between them. What he wouldn’t give to tear it down and reach for Dianna to show her just what she was missing.
Instead, he let out a sigh. “If you need me to stay…”
She shook her head sharply. “Nope. I think we’re good. I might even have one of the ranch hands come out and work with Mathew since we know he does so well with me.”
He nodded. “Sounds like a good plan.” Tristan turned toward the interior of the cabin. “I’m leaving, buddy. Is there anything you want me to pick up for you?”
