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A moment later, Palmer appeared in the doorway. “Something urgent has come up. I’ve got to leave. I’m so sorry. Thank you for a lovely meal, Mrs. Wyatt. Tinsley, I’ll call you.”
And then he was gone, before she’d even stood from her chair.
“Sit and finish your cobbler, dear,” her mother said, eyeing her with a look that told her a lady does not run after a man.
The meal dragged on for another half hour before she was able to get away.
Finally, her father invited Perry, her brother Jed, and Cooper, who’d made a rare appearance, and even Grady, into his study for brandy and cigars.
Tinsley took the opportunity to sneak off to the stables. She entered Pharaoh’s stall and fed him a carrot she’d snatched from the kitchen. “There’s my good boy.” She picked up a brush and stroked his flanks. She brushed him for a long time. When she was through, she kissed his nose.
“I thought I’d find you here.”
She whirled to see Grady standing with his hands in his pockets.
“Grady.” She smiled and moved toward him, but he held up a hand, and she froze.
“You know, I may not make the most money. I may not have a high-powered job or a future as a senator, but baby, I’d have been there for you when you needed me.”
“You sound like you’re breaking it off with me.”
“Breaking it off?” He lifted his chin to the diamond she still wore. “You wear another man’s engagement ring. You said you’d break it off with him. Yet, it’s been days, and you still haven’t done it.”
“I will. I promise. I was going to do it tonight, I—”
“Stop, Tinsley. I don’t want to hear your excuses. I may be slow to see the light, but I finally see it.”
“I’m going to tell him. It’s you I want. Everything I said—”
“Everything you said? I’m beginning to think everything you said was bullshit. You didn’t mean any of it, did you?”
“That’s not true. I did. I do. You have to believe me.”
He shook his head. “I’ve made arrangements for another operative to be your bodyguard from here on out. I just can’t do it anymore, Miss Wyatt.”
“Don’t call me that like I mean nothing to you. I love you, and you love me. I know you do.”
“That doesn’t seem to matter.”
“It does.”
“Goodbye, Miss. Wyatt.” He turned and walked away.
“You don’t mean that.” Tears streamed down her face. “Grady, tell me you don’t mean that!”
He walked out of the stable, leaving her alone. A moment later, her oldest brother came in and took her into his arms. She sobbed on his shoulder.
“Shh, Tins. It’s for the best. You’ll have a new bodyguard tomorrow.”
“I don’t want another bodyguard. I want Grady. What did he tell you?”
“Just that things had crossed the line, and he needed to step back, and Tri Star would have another man here in the morning.”
“I love him, Jed. I love him.”
“Shh,” he whispered, pressing her head to his shoulder.
He won’t really leave, she thought.Not after everything we shared. He’ll be here in the morning. He has to be. He loves you.
