MacKenzie Fire(96)

Andie laughs, wiping her tears away. “He sure is anxious to get to Florida.”

“I know,” I say, wiping some dust from my eyes. Stupid polluted snowflakes. “I hope he’s not too disappointed when his balls start sweating as soon as he gets off the plane.”

Andie’s laughter is like a balm for my aching heart. I hate leaving this place. I’ve been living in a fantasy world where Ian loves me and we have crazy awesome sex every night that just keeps getting better and better and nothing can stand in the way of our love at first sight romance. I’m afraid the real world will come crashing down on our heads in Florida, and all I’ll have left are the memories of Ian. Just like Ginny has. Crazy Ginny who throws darts in people’s bodies at bars.

“Call me. Don’t forget,” Andie reminds me as I walk down the stairs.

“I won’t forget,” I say.

I’m almost to the car when I’m struck by the overwhelming urge to go out to the barn one last time. I’ve been practically living out there all week, and Candy and I already said our goodbyes earlier this morning, but I have to see her just one more time.

“Come on, babe, we have to go!” Ian shouts from the car.

“I’ll be right back!” I shout as I run through the snow to the barn. I don’t even slip, my body completely adapted to the icy surfaces now.

“Hi, Candy girl,” I say to the baby as I stare over the stall door. She’s already bigger, even more so than she was yesterday. “I’m going to miss you.”

She looks up at me and moos. My heart breaks into about ten pieces. I wish the airline would have let me take her with me. I so would have paid to put her in a Great Dane doggie crate, but they said they couldn’t transport livestock. Buttheads.

A man’s voice comes from deeper in the barn, headed in my direction. “We’ll look after her for ya.”

I smile, looking over at him. “Thanks, Angus. I appreciate it. I’m really going to miss her.”

“She’ll miss you too, I expect. No cow on this ranch has ever had so much attention, I can tell you that.”

I know his words are meant to soothe me, but now I’m worried. “What if she gets lonely? What if she’s afraid to be alone?”

Angus smiles and points to the corner of the stall where the straw is deepest. “Don’t think you’re gonna have to worry about that so much.”

I squint so I can see better. “What is that?” I ask, noticing a movement in the shadows.

“Baby goat. Brought her in yesterday. She’s a buddy for Candy so she doesn’t get too stressed.”

I throw my arms around Angus and nearly cry with relief, ignoring the pain in my arm. “You are so nice! Thank you so much!”

He pats me awkwardly on the back. “You’re welcome. Thanks for helping Ian out so much.”

I pull away to look at him.

“Maeve and I are very grateful to you for showing him around out there in Florida. I know he’s been wanting to go pretty bad for a while.”

“To Florida?”

“To anywhere but here.” Angus looks at the ground. “My boy’s been lost for a long time. Seems like maybe he’s found again, but I guess we’ll see.”

“Yes. I guess we will,” I say softly. “Whatever happens, I want you to know that I really care about him a lot.”

He pats me on the shoulder. “I know you do. So does Maeve. Just be honest with each other and you’ll be fine.”

I nod, accepting his sage advice. “See you again soon, I hope!” I try to stay cheery even though I want to cry. Leaving this place is a lot harder than I ever thought it would be. I don’t know what I’d do if Ian were staying behind.

Now I think I know what Andie was going through when she came out here to tell Mack goodbye. Once you’re in with these MacKenzies it’s pretty much impossible to feel good without them again. No wonder Ginny went ballistic on us. I can almost forgive her for putting holes in me and Ian. Almost.

“Have a safe flight. I have to go see to the chickens,” Angus says.

“I thought chicken butts were Maeve’s domain.”

Angus frowns. “Well, I suppose. But I’ve got to put a new brooding box together. Seems likes she’s got some chicks coming in by mail.”

I don’t even want to get clarification on that statement. “Okay, well, bye. Thanks for your hospitality.”

“You bet. Any time.” Angus waves to me as he walks off, and I make my way back to the truck. Ian has the engine running and the heater blasting.

I get inside and put on my seatbelt, hunching over the vent to warm my hands up.

“You ready to get this party started?” Ian asks, his face alight with excitement.

“You know I am.”

“Kiss for luck,” he says, leaning in towards me.

I lean over and lock lips with him, taking the kiss deeper until my toes are tingling.

“Mmmm,” he says, sitting back straight and shifting the truck into drive.

“That a good one?” I ask.

“Hell yeah, that was a good one. All your kisses are good ones.”

I smile all the way to the airport in Boise, Idaho.





Chapter Forty-Six