She started to cry, tears pouring down her cheeks.
“What are you so afraid of?”
“I…don’t…know,” she said between sobs.
“She’s just a baby. I wish I could understand it. If I could, I’d be able to help you.”
“I don’t understand it myself, Billy. If I don’t understand the way I feel, how I can explain it to you?”
He let go of her shoulders and sat down next to her on the couch. When she leaned into him, he put his arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder and took a deep breath.
“What about Thanksgiving?”
“You tell me. My whole family is comin’ to Crested Butte, and they’re doin’ it for us. If you don’t want it to happen, you better say so right now.”
“No, I want it. But, I mean, do you?”
“Of course I do. Jesus, Renie, it’s the thing I’m waiting for to start the rest of my life.”
“You think everything will fall into place that easily?”
“I don’t think it. I hope for it. I pray for it. I want to believe it more than anything.”
“What if it doesn’t?”
“We deal with it then. I wish now we hadn’t waited. The longer we wait, the more anxious you get. I’m right about that. You know I am.”
“I don’t think it’s her. I think it’s you.”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t know if I can share you,” she whispered.
“I know,” he whispered back.
Billy spent the night in Renie’s room, but left at sunrise.
Jace spent the night at Bud and Ginny’s house.
He wanted to know what happened last night, but wasn’t sure how to go about finding out. He called Ben.
“Yep, his truck was here last night, but when I got up this morning it was gone. I know Renie’s out ridin’ Pooh. Dad said she came down to the house a little while ago to ride her home.”
Damn. She’d been here, right outside, and he missed her.
“Mind if I come up to the house? I want to say goodbye, at least.”
“Come on up.” Ben laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“If Liv and I have a girl, I don’t think I’ll live through her courting years. When I met Renie she was already grown up, and I gotta tell you, I’m about ready to sit both you and Cowboy Patterson down and threaten you within an inch of your lives.”
“I hear ya.” He laughed. “I want what’s best for her,” he said more seriously. “I care about Irene. I’d like to be the man that puts a smile on her face for the rest of her life. Although I’m beginning to think I don’t have a prayer in hell up against…what did you call him? Cowboy Patterson.”
“See ya in a bit, Jace. And good luck. Never liked Patterson all that much myself, but can’t say I disagree with your assessment.”
Jace was waiting near the barn when Renie rode up on Pooh.