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Ally
“You’re really leaving?”
I look away, unable to bare the pain in the eyes of the man who’s been my whole world since I was a young girl. Grabbing a shirt, I fold it and drop it on the growing pile of clothes in my suitcase. “I’ll only be in Murfreesboro for a couple of months, Trent,” I say, still not able to meet his eyes. “It’ll be over before you know it.”
“That’s highly doubtful,” he mutters, roughly raking his hands through his hair as he paces from one end of the room to the other. He spins around and faces me, his expression full of torment “Why does it have to be you?”
I place another shirt on top of the pile. “Because she needs help. Her mom was just released from the hospital and Ashlyn needs someone to be with her while she’s at work. You already know all of this.”
Trent grips the back of his neck and stares at the floor. I move to the closet and pull clothes from their hangers. He follows me and stands in the doorway.
“Why can’t she hire a local caretaker?”
“She and Dillon can’t afford to hire someone. She was there for me in college when I was struggling leaving home.” I turn and face him. “This is the least I can do for her after everything she’s done for me.”
Guilt burns like acid in my stomach at the lie.
Stuffing his hands into his pockets, Trent frowns. I have to force myself to keep still, not wanting to give him any reason to think I’m lying.
“What about your job?”
“I’ve talked to Stan, and he’s agreed to give me the time off.”
Stan is one of two family doctors here in Jaded Hollow. I’ve worked as a nurse’s assistant for him since I earned my degree seven years ago. I hated to leave him on such short notice, but thankfully, despite the very small size of Jaded Hollow, there is another nurse besides myself who works there. Wendy agreed to take on my responsibilities while I’m gone.
“I don’t like it.” He shakes his head. “This doesn’t feel right.” His eyes move beyond me to the wall before coming back. “Is there—” He cuts himself off. “Is there something else going on? Is there… another man?”
My eyes pop open wide and my stomach clenches. Dropping the clothes at my feet, I walk over to him, place my hands on his abdomen, and look up, letting him see the love I feel for him with my eyes.
“How can you ask me that, Trent?” Tears cloud my vision. “I would never do anything like that to you. I love you with every piece of my heart. I have since I was a little girl.”
Blowing out a breath, he pulls his hands from his pockets and wraps his arms around my waist, tugging me closer to him.
“I know you do. It just feels like you’re not leaving to help your friend, but leaving me? You’ve been acting strange for days.”
My heart fractures at the center. I didn’t realize I’d been acting differently. I thought I’d been doing well at hiding my feelings, considering the news I received last week.
Sliding my hands up his chest and around his neck, I pull his head down.
“I swear I’m not leaving you. There is nothing going on. I’m just trying to help a friend out who desperately needs it. That’s all. I’ll be back as soon as Ashlyn’s mom can stay by herself.”
I mentally cross my fingers and hope I can keep that two-month promise.
“Are you sure?” His voice remains suspicious.
“Yes. Now stop worrying and instead kiss me. I have a little bit of time before I have to hit the road, and I don’t want to spend it bickering with you.”
His mouth inches closer, but still doesn’t settle against mine like I want it to. More guilt churns inside me as I attempt to use Trent’s desire for me to distract him.
“Maybe I should go with you,” he mumbles. “Make sure you get there safely.”
“No!” I blurt, causing a frown to form on his face. I think fast. “You can’t leave. Jaxon is counting on you working the bar until he finds a replacement for Betty.”
His jaw clenches. “Bailey can take my place until I get back.”
“Trent, please. Just trust me. I’ll be fine getting to Tennessee on my own. If it makes you feel any better, I’ll stop every so often and call you.”
