AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“But?” I ask.
“We were already drifting apart. I think it was a last-ditch effort at the proverbial “us.” But the engagement didn’t change things. I worked longer and longer hours and didn’t mind the separation a bit.”
“Sounds familiar,” I say. It’s a connection with his state then, but I don’t know that I’ve been distracting myself from other problems like it seems he was.
Luca continues. “Sonja started making extravagant wedding plans, and the disconnect between our goals led to many fights.”
I smile. “You don’t seem like the extravagant wedding type of person.”
“I’m not. I would have eloped and been perfectly happy with the situation.”
Interesting. It’s a notion I can’t dispute. I may love some of the finer things in life—designer shoes, Athleta yoga pants, having my hair done every four to five weeks, massages, and the list goes on. However, eloping sounds far more romantic than a big expensive wedding.
He takes a deep breath. “Plus, over the years, my health had gone really downhill. I went in for a regular checkup with the doctor and found out I was prediabetic. At thirty.”
I give a small gasp and cover my mouth. He doesn’t appear to be in poor health at all. Quite the opposite, in fact, with the way his torso tapers to his waist. I run a hand over his muscular thigh. “You apparently made some good changes,” I say, half-jokingly.
He nods. “I went back to the office and called Wyatt, and the next morning, I was on a plane to Albuquerque.” He laughs, then, as if he’s dismissing whatever losses he might have had in that experience. “It’s really a boring story, right?”
It might be nothing special to the average person—a story of lives diverging in a natural way—but I’m fascinated by it and curious. “Do you think it would have been different if she’d been as interested in her career as you?”
His body goes rigid behind me, and he answers, “Doubtful.” But he leaves it at that.
The silence is back, punctuated by hoofbeats and an occasional moo from the cows.
I run a fingernail over the stitchwork on the saddle. “The kiss did mean something to me, Luca,” I admit. “It’s the first one I’ve ever had where I wanted more.”
Luca
Night four has always beenmy favorite of these retreats. Relationships have normally been formed, or with the retreat goers, strengthened. Each time, a group shows up as strangers, but by night four, I often feel like I’ve made friends for life. I’ve always been aware that these new friends of mine would go back to where they came from, but I often get mail, texts, and updates, and I love having friends all over the country who remember their time at Thoroughbred Ranch as transformational.
This retreat is different. LivFit has been a good group. Most of them are the sporty types, some golfers, easy people to read and connect with. Bruce is a bit grumpy, but as long as he has his flask in the evenings, he’s hunky dory and loose-lipped. But I won’t miss any of them when they leave tomorrow. No, it’s Jack I can’t imagine parting with. Our eyes meet across the flames of the fire. I wish she was on my log. Instead, Bruce took a seat next to me, and she’s too far away, sharing a log with Eddie.
“Whiskey’s never tasted so good,” Bruce slurs, swigs from his canteen, then wipes his mouth with a sleeve. “The only thing missing from this fire is a camp song,” he adds.
My eyes meet Jack’s again, and everyone laughs. If it weren’t for the liquor, Bruce seems like the least likely candidate of anyone here to make such a suggestion.
“Hello Muddah. Hello Faddah,” Bruce belts out.
Geoffrey of all people is the first to join in. Followed by Sean and then Eddie. Before I know it, even I’m singing along with this group of misfits.
When the song is over, Bruce declares between his bout with hiccups, “You guys are the best friends I’ve ever had.”
“Okay, buddy,” Geoffrey says, coming to a stand. “I think it’s time for me to put you to bed.”
“But da—” Bruce stops himself before he calls his boss dad. “Things were just getting good.
The fire flickers in a gust of wind. Eddie stands, looking into the blast. “Well, it’s a blowin’ up a storm, so ya’ll better hit the sack.”
I snicker at his horrible southern drawl, and Jack groans at first, but then she chuckles too.
“Just a little desert wind,” I say.
But really, he’s having a blast, and it shows. So, we let him have his fun. He’ll be talking about the retreat for ages, I’m sure. Others stand and start making their way to their tents.
“Can I help put the fire out?” Eddie asks.
“No, no,” I say, too eagerly. “I’m going to sit out here for a bit and clean up so our morning runs smoothly. You get off to bed. It’s late.”
