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His eyes narrowed, scrutinizing me closely.
“Kindly get your cattle out of my way.”
“Don’t talk to me like that.”
What a presumptuous man! He wants politeness, right? I’ll give him politeness to a tee.
Taking another deep breath, I plastered on a smile. It wasn’t a genuine smile that came from my heart. It wasn’t even the smile I reserved for rude ranchers who thought cattle have a right of way. This time around, it was thin and unfeeling.
“Move your cattle,sir.”
Ignoring my request, he came down from the horse and walked towards me.
“Where are you headed?”
I stepped back. He stopped moving and ruffled his hair with his hand, chuckling.
“Of course, I know where you’re headed. I mean, when did you get into town and how long are you staying?”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from snapping.
My plan was crystal clear: settle Grandpa’s affairs, sell the ranch, and flee back to my city life.
I suddenly craved my lattes, the skyscrapers, the bustling streets of Chicago, the rhythm of a city that never sleeps. In Marfa, life moved with the sun. It rose and set with a predictability that was both comforting and stifling. I couldn’t wait to get away from this small town’s madness.
Max, however undelightful he turned out, wasn’t part of my plan. We were now like day and night. Oil and water. City and country.
“I won't answer your questions,” I replied tersely. “Just move.”
He shook his head, tsking.
“Anna, Anna. Stubborn as a mule.”
I chose not to dignify that statement with a response.
At that moment, I glanced behind him and noticed the road had cleared. Without wasting another second, I spun on my heels and marched back to the car, throwing one last instruction over my shoulder.
“Leave me be. I came here for peace, not for you.”
Slipping into the driver’s seat, I closed my eyes. My conscience was already pricking me about how I’d spoken to Max. Oh well. He deserved more than that for breaking my heart.
Memories of that teenage summer flooded back.
My teeth clenched. I inserted the key and twisted it, expecting the engine to purr to life. Instead, thick and mocking silence greeted me. Panic fluttered in my chest. I tried again, pumping the gas pedal and jiggling the key. The engine let out a dramatic sputter before falling silent.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Max smirk. His laughter rolled across the distance between us. It was rich and deep, but it grated on my already frayed nerves.
“Something funny?” I gritted out, fingers tightening around the wheel.
He laughed some more. “You.”
Frustration boiled over. I slammed my palms against the dashboard. “This isn’t funny.”
He only laughed harder.
I squeezed the steering wheel as hard as I could, trying to move the car by sheer force of will.
This wasn’t what I’d planned at all when I’d flown to Dallas to complete a business transaction and rented a nondescript silver sedan afterward. I’d wanted to come into town quietly and leave quickly without anyone who knew me finding out.
