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They’d been out working since sunrise and had a long way to go. The hours slogged by. At least yesterday’s rain had softened the ground a bit.
Grayson had hoped to keep his mind busy with the ranch. Unfortunately, he couldn’t even lose himself in work. Not when Vincent had turned to twenty questions over what was eating at Grayson.
He slid the post driver over the top of the T-post. Slammed it down. Again and again.
Dylan’s call on the drive back to Oregon hadn’t helped.
I don’t want her to get hurt,Grayson had said.
I think it’s too late for that, don’t you?
Dylan’s words had pummeled Grayson.
He’d tried in every way he could to not leave her like her mom or Lyle had—and that was exactly what he’d done.
The conversation had made him want to take the next exit and turn back east, straight back to Deep Haven. How could he possibly align the two separate lives that he and Beth lived?
He could live in Deep Haven, where he’d…do what? Ranching and horses were who he was.
He couldn’t ask her to leave her family. To leave the town she loved.
Not for him. Because he had to allow her to do what her heart felt called to do. Be with her dad. Work at the camp. Live in the community she loved.
Oh, how did doing the right thing feel so wrong?
He sank the post down and hefted the driver off the top, set it to the ground, and wiped his brow.
Vincent grabbed another T-post from the truck bed and placed it into position.
Grayson hoisted the driver into place. Began the rhythmic pounding. He slammed the post driver down again and again, feeling the blisters build even under his leather gloves. He’d lost count of how many fence posts he’d replaced on autopilot.
He was lucky he hadn’t smashed a post straight into his foot.
Robin hadn’t been any help either.
He’d stood in the bakery, telling her he was trying to do the not-selfish thing.
Slam.
How he couldn’t ask Beth to come to Oregon.
Slam.
She had her dad there.
Slam.
And Robin had had a quick retort.You’d rather just walk away. Pretend you don’t love her?
He stepped away from the fence post at the memory. At the words he’d said.I do love her. That’s exactly why I have to go.
And just like that, he was riding next to Beth, the sunlight weaving those golden threads through her hair, courage and delight lighting her eyes. He was catching her subtle scent of coconut, citrus, and tropical flowers. Listening to her infectious giggles that started as a titter and grew until her whole body shook and tears streamed down her face.
He was being lit on fire by her kisses.
He loved her. He loved every nuance of her. Her sweet nature. Her humor. Her wisdom. Her intuition.
He loved her enough to let her go. Wasn’t that what the cliche said?
