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“You don’t think he’ll set down roots here again.”
“No.” She shook her head, that ache from before pressing into her hard. “I think he might try, but it won’t work, even though he would like it to.”
The two of them sipped their coffee, and the silence was like a comfortable blanket that wrapped around them. But it only lasted for so long.
“I don’t know what it is in him, Mills. What that thing is that makes him leave. It’s more than his music. More than his fight with our father. It’s buried deeper, and that’s why it’s harder for him to face.”
“I’m done trying to figure it out,” she said slowly. “I know he’ll leave again.” She shrugged. “There’s no point in overthinking. I have to decide what to do with the time I have. Do I focus on the present and forget about everything else? Take what I can get while I can? I mean, I’m halfway there as it is.”
“It’ll hurt when he goes.”
“It will.” She looked at Bent. “It’ll hurt if I’m with him or not. Does that make sense?”
“It does.”
“God, it’s too early for a big deep discussion.” Scarlett strolled into the kitchen with a yawn. “Any more left?” She pointed to the coffee pot. After fixing herself a cup, she slid onto the chair beside Bent.
“Thought pregnant women were supposed to give up coffee,” Bent said.
“I can treat myself from to time.” Scarlett chuckled. “In moderation.” She looked at Millie. “You stayed over.”
“It was late and—”
“Please.” The woman laughed. “We all know why you stayed over.” She glanced down at her belly. “No judging from me on that score.”
Millie had heard about the man who’d gotten her pregnant and then deserted her. Scarlett had a tough road ahead, raising a child on her own, and so far hadn’t indicated if she was going to her place in New York or staying in Montana.
“Anyone hear from Vivian?” Benton asked.
“Nope.” Scarlett made a face. “I sent her a selfie showing off my baby belly, and all she wrote back was some stupid comment about birth control.”
That sounded like something Vivian would say, but the boys had always had a soft spot for her.
“Give her a break,” Benton said. “She’s got stuff she’s dealing with too.”
“What stuff?” Scarlett demanded, sitting a little straighter. “How do you know what she’s got going on?”
“You staying for dinner, Millie?” Bent ignored his sister and concentrated on Millie.
“Of course, she is.” Cal joined them, immediately sliding his arm around Millie’s shoulders and drawing her in close. He kissed the top of her heard. “Where else would she go?”
Millie frowned and pulled out of Cal’s embrace. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
His smile faded. “Nothing. I guess I thought you’d be here is all.”
Aware that she might be a little hypersensitive, Millie softened her voice. “Thank you for the invite, but I do have plans.”
“That so,” Cal responded. “I know they’re not with Mike Paul because he’s coming here later to watch football.”
Right.She’d forgotten that.
“I’m going to Taz Pullman’s.” It was a lie, but it was all she had. She needed to be away from the Bridgestones to get that clarity she so badly needed.
Cal frowned, obviously displeased. “You’re going to spend Thanksgiving Day with some rodeo bum rather than here with us?”
“First of all, Taz isn’t a rodeo bum. He’s a world champion bull rider and he’s a good friend. He’s got the twins to take care of, and I said I would come.”
“Wait a minute,” Scarlett interrupted. “Taz Pullman,the Taz Pullman, lives in Big Bend?”
