Best Friend's Ex Box Set

“No,” I said, as I closed my suitcase. “And I need you to do something for me. I need you to cancel the fundraiser.”

“Oh, hell no. I know where this is going. You’re not giving up because of this.”

“I’m not giving up. I’m putting people I care about in serious danger, and I’m not putting up with it any longer.”

“We’re not in danger, Cheyenne!”

“Someone just tried to set your barn on fire, Colt!” I yelled. “Someone just tried to kill your horses! Destroy your business!”

I stood in the middle of his porch with my suitcase in my hand, and he bent down to grab the strap. I knew he wasn’t going to let this go without a fight, but I’d already made up my mind. I knew what I had to do. I knew the fight was over. The moment they came after Colt and Tiffany’s farm was the moment I knew I was done fighting this. Whoever this person happened to be was targeting people I loved, and I wasn’t going to stick around. Every day I stayed was a risk to everyone who surrounded me, and I couldn’t be that. After everything Colt and I had experienced, I couldn’t watch myself become a burden to him.

“Please, Cheyenne,” he said. “Just stay.”

“Cancel the fundraiser. I have to go back to my barn and do my best to arrange transfer of ownership of my horses.”

“Cheyenne—”

“There are plenty of people in this town who don’t abuse their animals like Bill does, and there are plenty of rescue shelters in the neighboring counties for the horses who are still rehabilitating.”

“Cheyenne, this is crazy,” Colt said. “You’ve worked too hard—”

“To watch it all burn?” I exclaimed. “I’ve had enough. I’m tired. I’m petrified. Obviously, I can’t protect those horses, and, to top it off, I’m putting you, Tiffany, and your livelihood in danger.”

I care about you, Colt. Can’t you see that? Can’t you feel it at night?

I tugged on the strap of my suitcase one last time while we stood by my truck. I grasped his hand and slowly pulled it from the harness, then tossed it into the back of my truck.

“Let me know when you’ve canceled the fundraiser,” I said.

I watched Colt fade into the background as I slowly drove away from his ranch. I knew I was doing the right thing, leaving them behind so they wouldn’t be a target. I knew someone was after me, and I knew I’d made enemies. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if another animal died because of me.

But I also knew my horses would still be targeted whenever I got back to my sanctuary, so my hand was forced.

I was rehoming the horses, closing everything down, and finding a new path for my life.

One that didn’t involve dead horses and the people I loved getting hurt.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry, Colt.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Colt

“Cheyenne contact you about the horse yet?” I asked Michael. Things had been going well since the reopening, with no leaks or other catastrophes in site.

“She told me she’d call me soon, but that’s the last I heard from her.”

“When did you guys talk?” I asked.

“This afternoon. I’m surprised you didn’t know?”

“Cheyenne took off this morning after the issue with our barn.”

“What happened with the barn?” Michael asked.

“Someone broke into it and lit some hay in one of the horse stalls on fire early one morning.”

“Are you serious?” Michael asked. “Did you call the sheriff?”