Taking Charge (Lone Star Burn #4)(67)

Keep it simple. “I’ll watch over everything here.”

Lucy blinked a few times quickly. “When I come back, you should look for another place to train your horses.”

“If that’s what you want.”

Her eyes welled up with tears. “That’s all you have to say?”

He wanted to tell her he loved her. He wanted to explain that he wasn’t leaving her as she feared, but actually doing this to ensure they had a future together. The words were on the tip of his tongue, but what then? No, this was the only way. He arched an eyebrow as if to say, What else is there?

Lucy spun on her heel and stormed to the passenger side of her truck. If the force she used to slam the door behind her after she climbed in was anything to go by, she was wishing him bodily harm. He told himself that was a good thing, at least for now. The angrier she was with him, the easier it would be to keep her away from the ranch.

Ron surprised David by coming to stand beside him. “Where’s Lucy going?”

David considered not telling him, but the thing about giving a person a chance to prove themselves was it had to be all or nothing. “To stay with friends until things calm down around here.”

“Good idea.”

David glanced at Ron’s profile, then turned back to watch Lucy’s truck pull away. “If York comes looking for trouble, will it be hard for you to choose a side?”

Ron was quiet a moment. “I called Michelle today and told her what I almost done yesterday. She started crying. She told me she didn’t want me around her or the babies.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Normally, something like that would have sent me to the nearest bar. My wife and kids aren’t at a bar, though. I can’t drink my way back to them. I told her I’ll never work for York again, and that I took a job here. We’ve got six months before the new baby comes, and I asked her to take that much time to make up her mind. I’m taking her out to dinner on Thursday. It might sound silly to take your own wife on a date, but I want to start over with her.” His voice constricted with emotion. “I don’t actually care much how it sounds. All I care is that she said yes.” Ron cleared his throat. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to see how you work with a horse who has tried to kill people. I’m thinking there might be something I can learn there.”

David nodded and turned to walk with Ron toward Tia’s paddock. He told himself he was in the right place, doing what needed to be done.

Life was all about making choices, though.

He hoped lying to Lucy had been the right one.





Chapter Twenty-One


Three days later, Lucy was helping Sarah clean up the breakfast plates. She kept telling Sarah to let her do everything, but Sarah refused to sit still. Lucy had worried at first, but Sarah looked healthy and maybe moving around was good for her condition.

Whatever that condition was. Sarah hadn’t been specific.

Sarah seemed edgy, and that had Lucy concerned. Lucy was keeping up with e-mails at night, but for now she was devoting her days to keeping Sarah happy and relaxed. “There’s a new movie playing in town. Looks like a good one. Would you like to go to a matinee?”

Sarah closed the dishwasher door. “I’d rather lie down.”

“Are you feeling okay? Should I call Tony?”

Sarah placed her hand over her stomach. “I’m fine. Just missing him, I guess.”

Lucy walked over and gave Sarah a hug. She wanted to say she knew exactly how it felt to miss someone, but at least Sarah was missing someone who loved her and who would return. Lucy hadn’t gotten over how eager David had seemed to see her go. “He’ll be back before you know it. He’s training a horse in—what town did you say?”

Sarah tensed. “In Van Horn, I think.”

“I thought you said Sanderson.”

“Did I? Then that’s where he must be.”

An awful feeling spread through Lucy. She didn’t want to consider the possibility, but as bile threatened to surge upward, she asked slowly, “Sarah, are you lying to me?”

Sarah turned away from her, gripped the edge of the kitchen counter, and said, “Please don’t ask me that.”

The room spun, and Lucy leaned on the counter for support. “Look at me, Sarah.”

Sarah kept her face averted. “I can’t.”

“Because you can’t lie to my face, but you can lie to the window?” Lucy snapped. She hated that she was even accusing Sarah at all, but more than that, she hated how Sarah was looking guiltier by the minute.

Sarah turned around and met Lucy’s eyes. Her hands were shaking at her sides. “Why would I lie to you, Lucy? I don’t feel well, that’s all. I told you, I need to lie down.”

With a rush, Lucy felt like an ass. “Oh my God, Sarah, I’m so sorry. I warned you that I’m not myself lately. I’m an idiot.”

Sarah looked away. “It’s fine, Lucy. I’m not upset, but if it’s all right with you, I want to rest awhile.”

“Sure,” Lucy said quietly. “I’ll check in on you later. Tell me if there is anything I can do. Anything at all.”

Once alone in the kitchen, Lucy paced back and forth, berating herself for what she’d said to Sarah. I can’t go on thinking everyone is out to get me or to fool me. That’s no way to live.