Cowgirls Don't Cry(118)

Another long silence. Then his soft, “Because I had no place else to go.”


Angry tears formed and she released him. “So I’m a last resort now?”


He whirled around so fast he bumped into her, knocking her off balance and sideways. In super slow-mo she crashed into the wooden slats, hissing as a splinter sliced her cheek, gasping as she twisted her body to land on her hands and knees, sucking in a harsh breath as gravel and hay dug into her palms and her knees skidded out from underneath her.

Then Brandt was roughly hauling her upright. His grip on her biceps hurt, but she sucked up the pain.

The little sting was nothing compared to the damage he’d exacted on himself. She looked at him.

The agony in his eyes stole her breath. “Oh God, look at you. You’re bleeding. I did that. I hurt you.”


“I’m okay.”


Brandt recoiled in horror. “I have to go.”


“Go where? Brandt, you don’t even have a shirt on—”


He stumbled back, turned and walked out.

Don’t let him go. Not like this.

Jessie snatched up his clothes and chased him down, planting herself right in front of him. “At least put your goddamn clothes on if you’re leaving me.”


He ducked his head and grabbed the bundle. But he didn’t deny he was leaving her.

“Talk to me. I deserve that much.”


“You deserve much better than a man who lashes out in anger and hurts you.”


“You didn’t do it on purpose.”


“But it still happened. It can happen again.”


“That’s bullshit and you know it. Tell me what the hell happened with your dad today.”


Wincing, he yanked his shirt on, then his coat. He finally looked at her. “I need some time.”


Oh God. She went dizzy. Her legs, her world threatened to go out from under her. Gritting her teeth, she locked her knees to keep them from buckling. “Time for what?”


“Time to think.” He gently moved her aside from blocking the driver’s side door. “Go inside before you freeze to death.”


But she couldn’t seem to make her feet move. She watched him drive away.

She stood there until the wind picked up and snow swirled around her. Until Lexie’s barks roused her and she trudged inside, absolutely numb.

Her entire body shook. She stripped down and stayed under the shower spray until she drained the water heater of every drop of hot water. She dressed in her warmest flannel pajamas before she started a pot of coffee. But she couldn’t get warm. She put a healthy dollop of whiskey in it before she dialed.

He picked up on the second ring. “Jessie? What the hell is goin’ on? I’ve called you like a dozen times. Have you seen Brandt?”


“He left.”


A pause, then, “He left?”


“Yeah. After he beat the shit out of my heavy bag and himself—”


“Goddammit, did he hurt you?” Tell demanded.

“Intentionally? No. But he thinks he did.”


“What the f*ck did he say to you?”


“Nothing. I have no idea what’s going on. He said he needed some time and he took off.”


“That’s it?”


“Yes. So maybe you oughta tell me what happened today.”


Seemed a full hour passed before Tell spoke. “Some of this I heard from Mom, some of this I saw firsthand. Brandt told Dad you two were getting married. Dad, bein’ Dad, spewed bullshit. Told Brandt he’d have to choose between you and his portion of the McKay ranch, because he couldn’t have both.”