TY
The longer I stood outside the bunkhouse, the more I felt like a fool for letting Grace pack her bags and walk out of the house last night.
“Grace, I know you’re in there. Please open up and talk with me,” I begged to the solid oak door.
Click.
My heart broke at the sound of metal sliding into place. Not only did she not open the door for me, but she also literally locked me out. I reached up to knock again, but I knew it was no use.
I turned and made my way to the barn where Scott was. He and Travis were going to head out before me while I spoke with Grace, but that wasn’t happening anymore. I couldn’t look at Scott when I entered the barn. I headed right to Foxy’s stall and got her saddled and ready in record time. Without a word, we were riding out to camp for the last time before the winter cattle drive.
We made our rounds and did the counts. Everything was in order and all heads accounted for. As we made our way to the campsite, Travis got a call on the satellite phone.
“Hey, you guys know where Grace is? She’s been gone all day. Gavin said he saw her take off this morning, but she hasn’t come back yet.”
Scott looked at me. The crestfallen look on his face had me clenching my hands at my sides. I turned to Travis and shook my head. I kicked at a stone on the ground with the edge of my boot. It was hard to stay here when I wanted nothing more than to race to the ranch and go after her.
By the time we settled in for the night, I could tell Scott was itching to talk.
“I know what you want to ask, and the answer is no. I didn’t get to speak with her.”
“I knew you were going to say that. I pushed her away and now we have to actually let her go,” Scott said quietly. He ran a hand down his face. “Shit! This is all my fault.”
“I really thought she was the one. I mean, look at you. She got you out of your shell and having feelings for someone again.” He’d almost been like his old self when Hannah was alive, but better.
“She did.” He groaned. “For the first time, I’m in love with someone. Something I never thought I’d be able to do again, and I tell her in the heat of anger. What was I thinking? And now, I don’t think I’ll ever want to even try again. She’s it for me.”
“I know what you mean. I’m done. I can’t take the heartbreak anymore.” I took a large gulp of water. I really wished we had brought some scotch with us to deaden the pain I felt ripping through me. We didn’t bring alcohol on the trips since being in the wilderness surrounded by wild animals and massive longhorns was dangerous enough without adding alcohol to the mix.
“Do you really think she left?” Scott swallowed hard and hunched over.
“She was supposed to be training today. It was her big day to start Storm back up on jumping again. She wouldn’t miss that if she wasn’t leaving for good.”
Grace had been looking forward to getting back to training. She had the Vegas show in a few weeks she needed to prepare for. Her dedication to her goals wouldn’t have let her miss a single day unless she’d packed her stuff up and left.
“So then, it’s really over. There’s nothing we can do. She left and didn’t even say goodbye.” Scott put his face in his hands and took a shaky breath. He was barely holding it together. I knew I was having a hard time, but I think it was even harder for him since he never got to say goodbye to Hannah.
“What are you guys talking about?” Travis asked when he returned with an armful of firewood.
“Grace,” Scott answered, solemnly.
“I’m guessing this is why you guys have been quiet and moody all day. And why she left.” Travis threw the wood onto the pile for later.
I stood and paced in front of the fire. “It’s over between us,” I growled. I hated to say those words out loud. They left a bitter taste on my tongue. “We had an argument after her mother left and then she left us. We told her she needed to cut her mother loose, and she ended up cutting us loose.”
“I told you she was too young. She doesn’t know what she wants right now. How could she with everything going on in her life?” Scott threw his hands up.
“Have you asked Grace what she wants?” Travis cocked his head.
“Yes. She said she wanted us. She wanted to take control over her life, but when push came to shove, she couldn’t take the step she needed,” I responded.
“She didn’t deny it when I said we were just a distraction while she was here,” Scott said, bitterness coating each word.
“Are you sure it was only for fun? Did you ask her if this was still just fun for her, or did you tell her this is how she felt?” Travis asked.
I ran my hands through my hair. “No, we didn’t exactly ask her.”
“Maybe you should.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“It’s too late now. She already left.” Scott stirred the pot of chili on the fire.