Stay with Me (Cowboys of Crested Butte 4)

“I’m convenient. I’ve never seen two people thrown together in a more convenient way than Jace and I have been.”

“He cares about you, Bree.”

“And I care about him, but what does that have to do with anything?” Bree shook her head. “In two weeks I’ll be teaching at the Air Force Academy, and Jace will be…I don’t know what he’ll be doing. Raising livestock? Can you really see me mucking stalls?”

As soon as Bree said the words, she regretted them. “I’m sorry, Liv. That wasn’t what I meant.”

Liv didn’t say anything, and with every moment of silence, Bree felt worse. She hadn’t meant to insult her.

“Tell me how you see him.”

“Him who? Jace?”

“Of course Jace. Who else would I be talking about?”

“He’s a good man…”

“No, deeper. If I didn’t know him, how would you describe him to me?”

Bree smiled. “Well, first of all, he’s hot as all get-out.”

Liv laughed. “You sound just like Lyric.”

“It was intentional.”

“

What else?”

“He’s a cowboy, through and through. A real cowboy. I used to go out to Billy’s and watch the two of them buck broncs.”

“And?”

“He’s honorable. When I said he’s a good man, he really is. He’s kind, and he cares about his family.” Bree stopped talking and put her face in her hands. “He’s as patient as he is stubborn, and he certainly thinks he knows what’s best.”

“Sounds familiar,” winked Liv.

Bree smiled. She deserved that. Liv had known her and her sisters since they were little girls. Bree had always had a reputation as a know-it-all. She was definitely the best student among the three girls. Brooke got married right out of high school; who knew what might’ve become of Blythe if she hadn’t met Tucker. But Bree had known she’d go to college, and not just for a regular degree. Even without them talking about it, there had been an assumption between Zack and her that she’d continue her education until she had her Ph.D.

“That’s Jace. Let’s talk about you now.”

“What about me?”

“Your mom and I have had many conversations about how much you’re like her. It isn’t just her; you’re like me too.”

“I am? I mean, uh, thank you.”

“You’re so independent. When Zack was alive, you let some of your independence go. You relied on him. The two of you made decisions together. Now that you don’t have him to talk to, you believe you’re left alone to make decisions.”

Bree shrugged. “In a way, I suppose.”

“Let’s talk hypothetically for a minute. Say you decided to try to make things work with Jace. What would it look like?”

Bree stood and looked out the window. “That’s just it. I can’t imagine it. Not long-term anyway.”

“Try harder. Close your eyes. Tell me what you and Jace look like together.”

Bree closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh. “I can’t, Liv. I can’t see us together.”