“Hello? Are you going to answer me?”
“Um, to spend time with her dad, I guess.”
Liza and I just stared at each other. This wasn’t going to work. Us being together…alone.
Jessica made a funny sound and said, “Huh. Well, where are you right now? You sound distracted. Have you gone shopping for rings yet? When are you heading back to Texas?”
I turned away from Liza and whispered, “What the hell is this? Twenty questions?”
It sounded like she was crying. Ah hell.
“I’m going to be coming home early. Mother and I are tired of Europe. We’re going to head back and spend some time in New York City. Would you like to meet us there?”
I dragged in a deep breath as I ran my free hand down my face. “I can’t, Jessica. I’m sorry. You know I would if I could.”
“Right. The ranch is more important.”
I balled my fists up and tried to settle my slowly-building anger. “Why are you doing this? You know this is me. This is my life and if you don’t want to be a part of…”
“Stop. I’m sorry.” She began crying harder. “It’s just that I miss you. I’m sorry I was being a bitch. I know this is your life now. I do want to be a part of it.”
There was a knock at the door. “Jessica, I’m sorry but I really have to run.”
“O-okay. I’m sorry.”
I closed my eyes. “Me, too.”
“I love you and miss you,” she whispered.
Turning, I watched Liza pack up her stuff and throw her bag over her shoulder. As she walked by, I grabbed her arm. Her eyes met mine and I knew what I had to do.
“Same here. Bye, Jess.”
I hit End on my phone. I wanted more than anything to push Liza against the wall and make her mine. I wanted what should have been mine. But I did what we both needed me to do. When I let go of her arm, the look in her eyes about killed me. She was about to say something when I turned and walked away from her.
The next thing I heard was the door opening and Mrs. Jenkins saying, “Good morning, Liza. Are y’all ready to head to Mr. McMurphy’s?”
“Yes. The sooner we get there, the better. I’ll be down in the truck, Walker.”
I pulled my T-shirt over my head and grabbed my bag as I made my way to the door, mumbling curses under my breath.
LAYTON WALKED AROUND one of the three horses I’d pulled aside. His hands moved along the horse as his eyes took in every detail. I peeked over to Liza, who watched her father intently. I’d spent a few hours this morning with Mr. McMurphy, asking about the three horses that had caught my eye when we’d first walked into the barn. Liza and I had taken two out and worked them each for a few minutes. We didn’t speak unless it had to do with the horses. The drive to the ranch had been brutally quiet.
Layton stood up and nodded. He winked at Liza, and she looked at me and smiled. I didn’t know if that was a good sign or not. Layton handed the horse off to the stable boy and said, “Tell Mr. McMurphy that all three horses will need to be prepared for travel.”
“What?” I said.
Liza skipped and ran over, throwing herself into me. I instinctively wrapped my arms around her, but I was looking at Layton. He gave me this goofy
smile as he came over. Liza squeezed me harder, as if this was the last time we’d ever be in each other’s arms.
“I’m so proud of you, Walker. You did it.” She whispered in my ear.
She pulled back and licked her lips, then blinked slowly before leaning in to kiss me on the cheek. I wanted to take her face in my hands and kiss her properly. When she pulled back, our eyes caught, and I couldn’t pull myself from her stare.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice struggling to get the words out. Layton walked up and hit me on the back. I quickly turned and smiled at him.
“You’re old man is going to be one hell of a proud dad when I tell him you picked out the next three winners.” Layton said as he shook my hand.