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“Knew? If I’d known, I would’ve caught the next flight out of London. He must be devastated.”
“He was. I’m not sure if he still is.”
Clearly, Merrigan didn’t know Tryst as well as she thought she did. That meditation center was everything to him. That and the equine program. If she thought he’d get over it with nary a care, she knew nothing about the man.
“I’m leaving for Mexico as soon as I can get a flight.”
“Would you like Doc to make arrangements?”
“If you mean for a flight, then no. I don’t want to wait that long. I’ll be in touch.”
I turned around and saw O right behind me. Based on her smile, she’d heard every word.
I wason my way to the airport when I received an alert on my mobile. An offer came in this morning on my flat. The buyer was willing to pay the full price.
20
TRYST
When I saw the alert that Jaicon had entered through the ranch gate, it was all I could do not to run out of the barn, jump in my truck, and drive in her direction.
I had no idea why she was here, and I didn’t care. Just to be able to look into her eyes would be enough for me. I was still trying to figure out whether to get in my truck or wait, when she pulled out.
She got out and rushed over to me. “I heard about the meditation center. My God, I’m so sorry.”
When she walked straight into my arms, I closed my eyes and breathed in her scent. I focused on every place our bodies touched, trying to commit exactly how it felt to memory. When she rested her head on my chest, I raised one hand and stroked her hair.
“I missed you so,” I whispered, hoping my blunt statement wouldn’t make her uncomfortable and result in her stepping back.
Warmth spread throughout my body when she said, “I missed you too.”
“Jaicon.” Her name was like a prayer on my lips. I so wanted to kiss her. Did I dare? No. I couldn’t. First, I needed to know why she was here. However, rather than both of us tiptoeing around our feelings, I decided to be forthright with mine. “It feels so good to hold you.” When she tried pulling away, I used my arm to hold her close to me. “Why have you come?” I asked.
“I didn’t learn of the fire until forty-eight hours ago. I apologize for not getting here sooner.”
I cupped her cheek, looked into her eyes, and smiled. “The fire has been out for quite some time, my love.”
“I was worried about you. What happened? How did it start?”
“It was a terrible accident.”
“I know how much the center meant to you.”
I caressed her cheek with my thumb. “It still does.”
“Tryst, I’m sorry. Before I left, I said—”
I put my fingertip on her lips. “I don’t care what you said before. I only want to hear what you’re saying now.”
At the sound of a horse neighing, we both turned our heads and looked. Cariño stood near the fence rail. Her nostrils were soft and round, and her tail swished back and forth. “She missed you as much as I did,” I said, bringing her hand to my lips and kissing the back of it. “The center has been rebuilt. Would you like to see it?”
Her eyes were wide open. “Of course. Forgive me, but I’m stunned. I thought it was a total loss.”
“It was. Within a matter of minutes, all that was left was the scorched earth. Would you like to go now, or would you rather say hello to Cariño first?”
Jaicon smiled, and the same warmth I’d felt earlier spread throughout my body.
“I imagine her feelings would be quite hurt if I didn’t stop and say hello.”
