“That’s kind of you to offer and I’ll pass it along to her. But I’ll still decline. She says she’s been sharing me all week and she wants a night to us.” Eli smiled and clapped Sutton on the back. “So feel free to keep this one out all night.”

Berlin laughed. “Deal.”

“You wanna leave Madera here? Or do you have arrangements for her elsewhere?”

“If you’re okay with it, we’ll leave her.”

“Cool. Tanna?”

“I’d be happy to take care of her.”

“I’m sure you will. Shall we say Cattleman’s Club at eight?”

“See you then.”

She unsaddled Madera and brushed her down. Such a beautiful animal and she knew it. She tossed her mane as Tanna groomed her. Then she handed the horse off to Eli to turn her out.

“You oughta ask Fletch to come to the dinner with the Gradskys tonight,” Eli said.

“I don’t want to put any pressure on him. He feels guilty if he has to break plans.”

“True. But I thought he’d be here today. Did he tell you he’d try and stop by for a little bit?”

“No.” Tanna petted Madera’s neck. “But he’s busy.”

“He’s always busy so that’s a piss-poor excuse. This was a big day for you. He shoulda been here.”

She’d thought the same thing but worried she might be acting like a bitchy girlfriend if she mentioned it, so she’d kept her feelings to herself. “It would’ve been good to have him here. But we have our own lives. He might’ve had an emergency.”

“You cut him entirely too much slack.” Eli smiled. “I’m really proud of you, girl. You’ve come a long way. I know you’ll credit Fletch, or Sutton, or maybe me, but at the end of the day, everything you’ve done—it’s all you, Tanna. Don’t let nothin’ or no one take that away from you today.”

That made her a little teary-eyed. “That means a lot. Thanks, Eli. For everything.”

“You’re welcome. Now git.”

On impulse, she called Fletch.

He picked up on the first ring. “This is Dr. Fletcher.”

“You won’t believe the great day I had! Madera can run. Lord, can that mare run. I pushed her hard, pushed myself hard and it paid off. Granted, she needs some work in specific areas, but we really clicked.”

He didn’t say anything, which wasn’t like him.

“Fletch? You still there?”

“Yeah. I’m here. Sounds like everything is working out exactly as you’d hoped.”

“The horse is better than I’d hoped, to be honest. The Gradskys want me to train with her, although it’s not a done deal. I’ve yet to nail down the particulars, but we’re doin’ that tonight.” She took a breath before she asked if he wanted to come along.

But Fletch beat her to the punch. “So you’re leaving? Just like that,” he said flatly. “You get a top-notch horse and then you’re gone.”

“No! It’s not like that.” He sounded angry. Really angry.

“Bullshit, Tanna. They must’ve liked what they saw in you if they’re willing to negotiate terms after just a couple runs. Don’t tell me you won’t be discussing a training schedule with them, and I’m betting that training will take place in Colorado.”

“So I should what? Say no?”

“We both know you won’t.”

Goddamn him. Now she was pissed.

“Look, Tanna, I’m swamped today. I’ve got a long night ahead of me. Calls to make—”

“And God knows you’d never say no to that, would you?”

“What the f**k is that supposed to mean?” he snapped. “I told you when we got involved that my job—”

“Is everything to you. Yeah, I get it. I just thought maybe I’d started to mean something to you too.” Dammit. Why had she said that? Now she did sound like a whiny girlfriend.

“Yeah? Well, same goes, sweetheart. You’re the one who’s packing up and leaving.”

Ugly silence stretched between them.

Finally Fletch spoke. “I don’t have time to do this right now.”

“There’s a surprise. Tell you what. I won’t bother you, bein’s you’re so busy. If you want to talk? You know where to find me.”

“Unless you’re already in Colorado.”

“Unless you pull your head out of your ass, Doc, don’t bother contacting me at all,” she shot back.

“Tanna—”

She hung up. And cried all the way back to the Split Rock.

How could one of the best days of her life in recent years also be one of the worst?

Chapter Thirty-four

“Fuck!” Fletch was shaking so hard he pulled to the side of the road.

He wasn’t mad at her; he was mad at the situation. He’d known from the start she wouldn’t stay in Wyoming and he’d assured himself he could handle it.

Yeah, you’re handling it real well. Getting pissed when she just wanted to share her good news with you?

His phone rang. He half expected—no, he hoped it was Tanna calling him back to slice a layer of skin off him like he deserved.

But it wasn’t her. It was the answering service. He let the call go to voice mail while he tried to calm down.

Breathe. Think. What’s the next logical step?

Tags: Lorelei James Blacktop Cowboys Western
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