Gone Country (Rough Riders #14)(131)

“How long?”


“Almost three years. Since my youth forestry counselor suggested it when I was sixteen.”


And this was the first time he’d mentioned it? After all the time they’d spent together? “But we’re at war! The military sends the newest recruits over there.” Another horrible thought occurred to her. “You’ve got medical training, which means they’ll put you on the first cargo plane and drop you right in the middle of a combat zone.”


“Sierra. That’s what I want.”


“To get yourself killed?” she demanded.


“No, to help keep others from dying.”


“But you do that every day as an EMT.”


“It’s not the same. I can’t make a living as an EMT in rural Wyoming. I’m tired of being broke and there are a lot of things I’d like to do with my life that I can’t do if I’m stuck here.”


“Then go to college like normal people do.”


Boone scowled at her. “If I don’t have money for a car do you really think I’ve got money to go to college? Or that anyone will lend me the money?”


“Then we’ll ask my dad. He’ll float you a loan. Heck, he’d probably just give you the money since you saved my life.”


He pushed off the car. “I don’t want your money or your charity.”


“What? I’m only trying to help. You took that the wrong way.”


“Did I? What part of making it on my own is confusing to you? I have to do this. I want to do this.”


“So there’s no talking you out of it.”



Boone shook his head. “It’s a done deal.”


She wanted to scream at him, throw herself at his feet and beg him not to go, but that was the epitome of childish. Instead, she tossed off a breezy, “Fine. Whatever. Go be a hero. Get yourself killed. Later.” She sidestepped him and ducked around the front of the car, hoping to make it inside before her tears were obvious.


But he latched onto her upper arms and forced her to look at him. “You don’t mean that.”


“Yes, I do.”


His gaze roamed over her face. “Then why are you crying?” he demanded softly.


“Because I hate that you’re doing this stupid thing. And I hate you.” The last word came out as a sob.


“No, baby, you don’t.”


“Don’t call me that!”


“Sierra. Come here.”


“No! Don’t touch me.”


“You don’t mean that either.” Boone crushed her to his chest.


Sierra fought him for a few seconds, swinging punches that didn’t land, yelling and thrashing, but he just held on. She gave up fighting the pull of him and clung to him as she cried.


How many times had she imagined Boone holding her, stroking her hair and murmuring sweet things to her? Hundreds. But never like this.


Her voice was muffled against his chest when she finally spoke. “When do you go?”


“Tomorrow morning.”


She froze. Then she squirmed away. “You’re just telling me now? When did you sign up?”


Boone looked away.


“Tell me.”


“Three days after your accident.”


Sierra felt all the air leave her lungs. The blood drained from her face and she was drowning. Her lips formed the word why.


“Because that night at Tyler’s party when I told him we were together? I wanted it to be real.”


“You think I would’ve shot you down, Boone?”


“No.” His eyes were locked on hers. “I know you would’ve said yes.”


Her cheeks burned with mortification; he’d known how she felt all along.


“You understand my history. Since I was twelve years old I’ve been counting off the damn days until I can get the hell out of Wyoming. Last fall, the start of my senior year, I was taking the prep classes I needed and I was getting a year of practical experience as an EMT and moving on was finally within my grasp. And then you showed up.


“From the moment we met on the bus, you sucked me in. You were so gorgeous, feisty, funny and sweet—and so easy to talk to. I tried to stay away from you, but something about you, Sierra, just kept pulling me back.”


She stared at him, absolutely speechless.


“That night at the party I wanted to kill Tyler for thinking he had the right to put his hands on you. After the accident, I about lost my f*cking mind because you were hurt… That’s when I knew you could keep me here. If I got involved with you, like I wanted to, I wouldn’t leave. And I have to leave. I had to have a solid plan to go so I enlisted.”


“No.” Sierra found her voice and said it louder. “No.” Then she was screaming at him. “No, no, no, no, no! You don’t get to do this to me, Boone. You don’t get to treat me like a friend, and then tell me you’ve always felt more for me…the night before you f*cking leave! You don’t get to make me feel guilty for you joining the army because I have some kind of magical hold over you. That’s total bullshit and it’s not fair!” God. This could not be happening.