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She hopped down, still shining with the kind of joy that could only come with the accomplishment that she’d made all on her own. “She’s incredible. I only wish…” Her smile faltered as she stood before him. It was short, but he saw it.
Dax brushed her cheek with his thumb, drinking in everything about her that he could. Nothing was ever guaranteed, and after she leaves, he might not still get to have her in his life.
Sarah’s lashes fluttered and she let out a sigh. “How do you do it?”
“How do I do what?”
“How can you train these animals and then let them go? How can you not fall in love with each and every one of them and want to keep them for yourself?”
He gave her a crooked smile. “While I like animals, I don’t think I’d want to take care of all of them. That being said, your first is usually pretty special.” Dax tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You know, if you decided to stay—”
“Dax…” Her voice held a note of warning.
“What?” He tried to sound lighthearted with his question, but he couldn’t deny the level of gravity that had settled in his chest, making it hard to speak with her.
“You knowwhat.” She sighed, pulling away. “We’ve been over this. I can’t stay. Once I’m done here—”
He reached for her, capturing her into his arms. “What exactly is it you’re doing again?”
She avoided his gaze. “You said I didn’t have to tell you if it made me uncomfortable.” Her words were barely a whisper, and it set alarms ringing in his head.
“You’re right. But sometimes things change.”
“Dax,” her voice was strained, “I know you care about me, but—”
“Careabout you?Sweetheart, I love you more than I’ve loved anyone.” The realization hit him square in the chest the moment the words left his lips. He traced the edge of her face with the back of his fingers. “From the moment I saw you, I’ve seen you overcome adversity. Your determination with that horse was admirable. Everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman—it’s you.”
She shook her head, a sad smile on her face. “You don’t know anything about me. And I don’t know you.”
Her words shot him so hard in the chest that he nearly stumbled backward. She couldn’t possibly know about his past. “Why are you shutting me out?” It was the only question he could ask that he thought she might answer. “And don’t tell me it’s because I confessed my feelings for you. You’ve been content to be part of this relationship as long as I didn’t push you to stay.”
Sarah’s face flushed. “I’m not shutting you out.” Her response was weak, and she pulled away from his grasp, but he wouldn’t let her.
“Come on. Whatever it is, you can tell me.”
“It’s nothing. I’ve just never—” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I have obligations. My parents—”
“The parents who you hate?”
“That’s not fair,” her voice rose slightly. “My parents want what’s best for me.”
“If they wanted what’s best for you, they would want you to be happy. Would you be happy there? Or would you be happier if you stayed here? With me.”
Sarah finally pulled away, forcing him to release her. “Why are you bringing this up now? I thought we were doing okay.” She pressed her fingers to her temples. “I only have two weeks left. I don’t want to spend them fighting with you over why I can’t stay.”
Dax let out a groan. “Then just talk to me.”
She paced in front of him, her breaths came out in short spurts and she shook out her hands. “The problem is that if you knew everything, I don’t even think you wouldwantme to stay here with you.”
He let out a bark of laughter, startling her. Hadn’t he thought the exact same thing? Were they both holding back out of fear? If he’d known that this whole situation could have been avoided with a simple conversation, he would have pulled her aside sooner.
Dax threw up his hands. “You want to know what? You’re right. We both have things we would rather keep to ourselves.”
She froze, turning to gaze at him, stunned. The thoughts that must be racing through her head at the moment, he could only guess. At this point she could be thinking the worst of him. He needed to clarify what he meant before she jumped to conclusions.
He let out a sigh. “What do you say we go for a walk?” He glanced around the property. They didn’t exactly have privacy, and he’d rather not share some of the more intimate details of his life where someone might overhear. As much as the Callahans cared for him and he for them, Dax would still prefer to keep those parts of his life private.
Sarah’s large, innocent eyes delved into his as if she could read everything he was ready to confess to her. This conversation would go one of two ways. She would forgive him because that was who she was.
