“Nothing bad! It’s about Kate though.”
My shoulders dropped. Ava had decided to merge the wedding dress she was designing with the one Kate was since they were so similar. She had spoken to my mother and father about it and they gave her their blessings for Ava to do what she wanted with Kate’s designs. They did ask that if she was to do anything such as sell them, to give credit to Kate as well which Ava totally agreed should be done. Yet, at the same time, it felt as if she was getting lost in my sister as well as with Robert and Lizzy’s story. She had read over half of the letters in the shoebox we found at the house in Helena.
“Okay. But Ava, maybe you should take a step back from this whole Kate and Lizzy thing.”
“Kate and Lizzy thing? What’s that supposed to mean?”
Taking in a deep breath, I slowly blew it out. “Maybe you’re bored in the stone house. We could move into the main house if you want. Get you away from these crazy ideas you have about feeling a connection with Kate and that you feel a presence in the house. I’m sure Mom could find something for you to do with volunteer work or even learning about the cattle ranch.”
When she didn’t respond, I knew I had fucked up.
“Volunteer work?”
“Well, maybe that wasn’t the word I was looking for.”
“Oh, I’d certainly love to know what word you were looking for. ‘Cause from the sounds of it, I heard I’m a bored, lonely, crazy person with nothing to do so I might as well put on the pants of a bored house wife who has nothing to do with her day other than go sit around and gossip with a bunch of women who are also bored and lonely crazy women. I have a job, asshole, that I do a good portion of the day. I’m not sure if you’ve been aware of it or not, but Maurice has been sending me ideas and asking me for more designs. He’s loving what I’ve been sending him.”
Shit.
“Ava, wait that’s not what I meant.”
I heard a door slam. “Maybe what you’re looking for Ryder is someone like your old buddy, Vanessa. She fits the part of dutiful wife to the tee. By the way, dickhead, I happened to have been raised on a cattle farm and know a thing or two. I could probably repair a fence faster than you … you … you jerk.”
“That’s not what I meant and …”
“You know what? I’ve decided to stay a few extra days here in Texas. Maybe I’ll stay a week longer, possibly two.”
Before I had a chance to say anything, the line went dead. I pulled it away from my ear and stared at it.
“What in the fuck just happened?”
Nate walked by and let out a snicker. “You were bound to fuck it up sooner or later. Hate to say it, bro.”
Turning to look at him, I took my cell phone and threw it at him. Too bad I missed and it smashed against the wall and broke into pieces.
“WANT TO TALK about it?”
I tried to plaster on a smile, but failed. “It’s nothing.”
“I know that look,” Liza said with a warmness in her eyes. “That is a classic I lost my shit on him expression.”
Giggling, I shook my head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me Liza. At the same time I feel like he deserved it. I hung up on him though.”
She shrugged. “So. I’ve hung up on Walker plenty of times when I’ve gotten mad.”
With a glance out the window, I sighed. “Yeah well, ever since then when I call him it goes straight to voicemail. Like he’s turned off his phone or worse yet … has me blocked.”
“Nah, I don’t see Ryder acting childish like that.”
I huffed. “You didn’t see him and his brother rolling around trying to shove handfuls of snow into each other’s pants.”
She chuckled. “Boys will be boys.”
With a frustrated sigh, I dropped my head back against the seat. It was a beautiful day. In fact, we were driving with the windows down enjoying the fresh air. “Maybe he’s right. I have been submerging myself into Kate’s journal and Lizzy and Robert’s story. It’s so beautiful, though. I mean he left everything to be with her. Walked away from a title to be with the woman he loved. Why aren’t men like that now?”
“Wow. This from a girl who recently got engaged and is ready to build a new life with the man she loves. Ava … are you sure this is what you want?”
Snapping my head forward, I turned to Liza. “Yes. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. I can totally see myself living in Montana, being a wife to Ryder and helping him run his family’s ranch. I want that. But, I also want to stay me. And this little adventure I’ve stumbled on has changed me … and maybe it’s Ryder who’s doubting.”