Blind Love (Cowboys & Angels 5)

We rode in silence for a bit before we came to a ridge that looked out over the hill country. It was my favorite spot on the ranch. The place I went to when I needed to get my thoughts in order.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“There’s nothing wrong, Momma.”

She groaned. “You have that stubborn Latino blood flowing in you, Harley, with a head as hard as the land we are gonna ride through.”

I chuckled. She was right. I took more after my father in my personality and my looks. My mother had beautiful blonde hair and the most gorgeous blue eyes. My father was Latino. Brown hair and beautiful cognac-colored eyes. My hair was brown, and I had green eyes. Emerald-green eyes. My mother used to tell me they were Rose’s eyes. My great-grandmother.

The ranch I had grown up on was my mother’s parents’ and they, in turn, gave it to her and my father. Daddy was the son of two Mexican immigrants who worked on another ranch here in town not far from this one. My mother always said she would never forget the moment she saw my father for the first time. It was in elementary school. She said he was the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on. It was love at first sight.

Just like with me and Tripp.

“You’re right on that. I am my father’s daughter.” Releasing a sigh, I looked out toward the horizon, wondering how in the hell I ended up so lost. Confused. Lonely as hell.

“Talk to me, Harley. Please.”

Years of holding in my secret came rushing to the surface, and I instantly started crying. Sliding off my horse, I paced while she stood there, giving me the time I needed to find the words.

I’d always known my parents knew I had lied to Tripp. The last thing I would ever do to him was cheat on him.

“I didn’t know what else to do, Momma. He was going to give up everything, and I wasn’t about to let that happen. I even heard him telling his daddy he didn’t want to leave. He was only going to do it for me!”

She reached for my arms and held me still. “Take a deep breath. Slow down.”

I tried to do as she said, but I was ready for the first time in almost ten years to tell someone other than Tripp the truth. I wanted him to be the first, but since he wouldn’t even talk to me, I had no choice. I had to tell my mother everything.

“You a bit calmer?” she asked.

Nodding, I took in one last shaky breath and started at the beginning.

“That day it happened, I knew Tripp had been asked to join Dave Hassell’s team at the law firm. I’d overheard him telling Tripp’s daddy he was going to offer Tripp a summer position and that he would work around any days Tripp would be needed at the ranch. I had planned on asking Tripp if he wanted to move to Dallas with me after vet school. I just didn’t want to come back here, Momma. At least, not right away. I love Oak Springs, but I wanted to see things. Travel around the world like Aunt Tanya. Live in a big city for just a bit.”

My mother rolled her eyes. “Oh, Harley.”

I wiped the snot that was now running from my nose with the back of my hand. My mother snarled.

“I wanted to explore what else was out there besides Oak Springs and College Station, Texas. But I knew Tripp had other dreams. I guess a part of me thought that maybe he might want to do those things, too, once I finally voiced them. At least, I was hoping like hell he would.”

Her eyes glassed over with tears.

“But he didn’t?” she asked.

Closing my eyes, I dropped my head as the memory of the day hit me full force.

“He started talking about our future. Him opening up a law practice and me going to work for Doc at the vet clinic. I wanted so badly to want that, Momma, but I didn’t. At least, I didn’t want it right then. When he mentioned starting a family after school, I had to tell him what I wanted.”

“Of course. A relationship is based on two people, not just one.”

I wiped at my tears. “I know that, and I know he knew that. He just thought I wanted that, too, because I was never open and honest with him. If I had been, from the beginning, maybe things would have been different. Oh, God.”

My hands covered my face and I started to cry. My mother put her arm around me and led me closer to the giant oak tree that had fallen over years ago.

“Sit down, sweetie.”

Doing as she said, I dropped my hands to my lap.