With regard, she nodded. “I know. The whole time I was flying down here I think I pinched myself at least ten times to make sure this wasn’t all a dream. I realize what I’m walking away from. I have a great life in Austin. My job, my badass apartment, friends who are a blast. My family is here in Texas . . . I know what this means.”
“But?”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I love him so much. Being away from him the last few days has only shown me how much I love him. I honestly don’t think I could even attempt to have a relationship with him where I’m thousands of miles apart. Plus, I feel some sort of connection there.”
With a speculative eye, I asked, “What kind of connection?”
She shook her head and frowned. “I can’t explain, and if I tried you would think I
was insane.” Waving off where her thoughts were going, she continued. “But that doesn’t matter. What matters is I know being with Ryder is what I want. And he’s in Montana so that means I’m in Montana.”
“I envy you, Ava.”
She lifted her eyes and gave me a funny look. “Why?”
“You knew what you wanted and no matter what the costs, you went after it. You explored it and you found happiness. I’m really happy for you, I really am.”
Her face lit up as she pushed off the counter and walked up to me. Kissing me on the cheek, she winked and said, “I’m happy for you too. Are you going to be able to see her tonight?”
Wiggling my eyebrows, I answered, “Hell yeah, I am.”
Chuckling, Ava hit me on the chest and walked out of the kitchen.
“Hey, make sure you say goodbye before you head back to Montana!” I called out as Ava turned and blew me a kiss. It was then my phone went off.
Taylor: Heading home.
Me: I’ll see you in a bit.
Taylor: I can’t wait to see you! Be careful driving.
Me: Will do! You too!
Walking into the game room, I made my way over to my father. “Dad, I’m going to go see Taylor.”
He smiled and nodded his head. “You staying with her tonight?”
“Probably. I’ll be back home early. We’ve got a delivery of hay that I need to be here for.”
“I can take care of that if you don’t want to rush home.”
Placing my hand on his shoulder, I gave it a squeeze. “Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it, but this is my job and I have no intentions of slacking off.”
He pinched his brows slightly together. “I’ve got to tell you, Jase, that is a very responsible thing to do. I’m not sure if at your age in a new relationship I would have picked my job over my girlfriend.”
Letting out a gruff laugh, I shook my head. “Well, I learned from you so maybe you would have.”
Laughing, he nodded. “Maybe. Make sure you say good-bye to everyone before you leave.”
“Will do.”
I made my way around to everyone and wished them a Merry Christmas before stopping in front of my mother last.
“Thank you for dinner, Mom.”
With a soft smile, she placed her hand on the side of my face. “Enjoy your evening, sweetheart. Tell Taylor I said Merry Christmas. Oh! And don’t forget her gift, it’s under the tree.”
“I won’t. Night, Mom. I’ll see you in the morning.”