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“That doesn’t seem like a good idea,” Kyra agreed.
“But I’m ready.” She was stronger now. With her friends. And with Thatch. He’d made her stronger, and she had to fight for a future with him. “I want to see Luke again on my terms. I want to face him so I can be done with this.”
Kyra was still shaking her head. “But what if he loses his temper and comes after you?”
“You two will be there.” Heck, the whole town would be around. They’d make this confrontation public. “I’m sure Natalie will be hanging around the rodeo grounds too. He can’t hurt me now. Not when I have everyone standing with me.”
Both of her friends fell silent.
“You’re sure you want to do this?” Tess finally asked.
“I’m sure.” If Thatch was going to be a bronc rider, they might run into Luke occasionally, and she didn’t want to worry every time she went to a competition. “I’m falling in love with Thatch.” She’d known that when they shared this cabin. Even before that, she’d felt the beginnings of something special when she’d danced with him at Kyra’s wedding. And when she’d told him she didn’t want to date him at the Christmas party. Her heart had ached then too. “I’m afraid, but that doesn’t change my feelings for him. I want to be with Thatch, but first I need freedom from my past.” So they could start anew together.
“Okay.” Worry still gripped Kyra’s features. “So what’s the plan?”
Lyric checked the clock. They had two and a half hours before the bronc riding would start. “We’ll go to the rodeo grounds and find Luke.” Beyond that, she didn’t know what would happen. “You two will go with me?” She wouldn’t be able to do this by herself.
“You don’t even have to ask.” Kyra was already on her feet. “And I’m going to call Natalie and explain the situation and make sure she’s right there with us too.”
“That asshole will not lay a hand on you,” Tess added.“If he triesanything, Aiden, Silas, and Thatch will be on him so fast he won’t know what hit him.”
“Thank you.” Lyric helped her pregnant friend to her feet. She couldn’t show up at the rodeo grounds looking like this. “I’m going to shower really quick. You two call in the troops and get them mobilized.”
“You’ve got it.” Kyra had her phone to her ear.
Despite the lack of sleep, energy buzzed through Lyric while she showered and got dressed. Years ago she hadn’t known how to fight back, how to stand up for herself, but now she wouldn’t have to do this alone.
“Okay.” She hurried out of the bathroom and got her stuff packed up. “Are we ready?”
“Ready,” her friends said at the same time.
“Tess will ride with you,” Kyra told her as they walked out the door.
“Sounds good.” She got Amos settled in the back seat and made sure Tess could comfortably buckle in.
“I called Silas,” her friend informed her. “He’s talking with Aiden. Thatch is already at the rodeo grounds, and he wasn’t sure if they’d be able to catch up with him before he rides. But they’re ready to stand watch while you talk to Luke.”
“That’s good.” She was ready too. The panic she’d felt yesterday had simmered into a far more powerful anger. She had a life to live, damn it, and she wouldn’t let Luke take that away from her now.
“Do you know what you’re going to say?” Tess asked.
“Not yet.” She didn’t need to know. The words would come based on her feelings, based on the truth of what she’d been through. She didn’t need to script anything out.
“I knew you and Thatch were really in love.” Herfriend’s tone had a triumphant tenor. “I just didn’t want to tellyouthat.”
Deep down, Lyric had known too. That was why she’d tried to keep distance between them. “I’ve been in denial for a long time.” Because pretending was easier. She’d known what loving someone had cost her before. “I hope he’ll forgive me for telling him I don’t want him.”
“He’ll understand,” Tess assured her. “And he’ll support you too. In whatever ways you have to process everything you’ve been through so you can move on.” She suddenly grimaced and rubbed at her belly.
“Are you okay?” Lyric slowed the car and eyed her. “You’re a little pale.”
“I’m fine.” Her friend shifted in her seat. “Not feeling spectacular, but that’s normal when you’re eight months’ pregnant.”
“I can’t believe you’re so close.” Lyric turned up the air conditioner in an attempt to keep Tess comfortable.
The rest of the way to Star Valley, Tess helped her keep her mind off the confrontation by talking about the baby. Lyric even got to feel a couple of kicks on her belly.
After dropping off Amos at home and leaving him with a bone, Lyric drove them to the venue and parked the car.
