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Cammie shook her head. “I don’t know. It’s a mess, isn’t it?”
“It’s a disaster, is what it is.”
“Do you want to do anything tonight?”
“No, and I’m sorry, but I’m not going to the dance tomorrow night. I can’t.”
“He probably won’t go either.”
“Good, then I’ll know for sure I won’t see him.”
“I’ll probably go so I can see Dusty.”
“You’ll have fun. I’m going to spend the day being lazy.”
“You’re going to be miserable when we leave.”
“I am already.”
“How about we watch a movie or two or five? It will take your mind off things.”
Eden nodded. She knew nothing was going to take her mind off Ian, and tonight was going to be another long, sleepless night.
Chapter Seven
The sun had barely risen when Ian entered the barn on Monday, his footsteps echoing through the empty stalls. The smell of hay filled the air as he went to Breeze’s stall. He peered in at the horse munching on oats.
“Good morning, buddy,” Ian greeted, a small smile tugging at his lips. Breeze raised his head and gazed back at him with soft, brown eyes before trotting to the gate. Ian reached out and gently rubbed the horse’s nose through the bars. “Are you ready for our ride today?”
Despite being exhausted from a sleepless night, Ian knew he couldn’t miss the trail ride. It was the one thing keeping him going as he tried not to think about Eden leaving at the end of the week. He could hear birds chirping outside as he leaned against the gate and felt a gentle breeze blowing through the open doors. The familiar sights and scents of the barn surrounded him, offering a sense of comfort and stability amidst all the changes happening in his life.
As he ran his hand along the softness of the horse’s neck, he couldn’t help but wonder if Eden would show up for the ride. Maybe she hadn’t even signed up for the ride, he sighed heavily. He made his way over to where the wooden clipboard hung on a post, the names of all the riders scribbled onto it in neat rows. And there it was, right at the top, Eden’s name. His heart sank, and he let out a string of curses under his breath. Was she intentionally trying to drive him insane? They knew they needed to stay awayfrom each other, but here she was, signing up for the very same ride that he would be on.
How was he supposed to make it through this week, knowing he’d never see her again come Sunday? It just wasn’t fair. Out of all the women he had met, she was the one he truly wanted to be with. Yet fate had dealt them a cruel hand. He couldn’t understand God’s reasoning behind bringing her into his life only to take her out of it so soon. As much as he tried to push away his feelings for her, they grew stronger each day. But for now, all he could do was focus on this ride before their inevitable goodbye Sunday.
What could he possibly do? How could he ever let her leave?
“She doesn’t want to stay,” he muttered.
“Ian? You’re here early,” Chip greeted him as he entered the barn.
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“You look exhausted.”
“That’s an understatement, Chip.”
“I can take care of the riders. Why don’t you just relax and stay here?”
Ian smirked. “You know I can’t do that. I’ll be fine. If I look like I’m about to fall out of the saddle, just tie me to it.”
Chip chuckled. “That day will never come when you fall out of the saddle.”
Ian grinned. “It might be today.”
A little while later, Ian mounted Breeze and observed the group of guests filing into the barn. As he scanned the crowd, he didn’t see Eden or Cammie. Perhaps they decided not to come. But as soon as that thought crossed his mind, he spotted them entering and walking to the horses.Damn it. He was torn about her leaving. He knew the partnership was important to her, but he didn’t want her to leave him. She wore jeans, a sleeveless blouse, and her cowboy hat and boots; he had never seen anything so stunning. The mere thought of never being able to gaze into her beautiful eyes again or make love with her made his entire body ache.
Taking a deep breath, he listened to Chip explain about the ride, and had everyone mount up. Ian watched the ranch hands help with the stirrups. His ass was too tired to fool with it. He knew if he got out of the saddle, he’d never get back in it.
