Bitter Love (Boys of Silver Ridge 3)

It hasn’t been that long since she left, but every passing minute pulls us apart more and more. I need to go to her, to tell her that I don’t know what the future will hold but if she’s not in it, then I don’t want it.

Finally, I leave the clinic and my employees all tell me to go home and get some rest, looking a bit concerned. The last time I took off work was when I had the flu, and I worked up until I became almost delirious with a fever. The animals need me, and I can power through most illnesses I have. To see me abruptly leave like this, everyone must think I’m dying.

And I very well might be if Josie isn’t mine.

I’ve pushed her away since we met, told myself she was irritating and, most of all, temporary. In the back of my mind, I kept telling myself that she will eventually leave Silver Ridge and then I won’t have to think of her ever again.

But that was all because I didn’t want to face the truth, and the truth is there will never be another woman like her.

I get in my truck and speed to Josie’s house. If there ever was a time I wished to have that path through the woods that leads from my house to hers, it’s now. My fingers are white from gripping the steering wheel so tight, and I’m so tense my shoulders hurt by the time I park in the driveway. Killing the ignition, I leave my keys in my truck and run up the porch steps and knock on the door.

My heart beats loud enough that I can hear it, and the rush of blood through my veins makes me jittery. Once she’s back in my arms, everything will be okay. It has to be.

“Hi,” a blonde woman says, cracking the door open and peering at me through the screen door. “Can I help you?”

“Is Josie home?” I ask, remembering her saying that her sister was staying with her.

“Who’s asking—oh.” She opens the door the rest of the way. “You’re Jacob.” Her eyes go to the stitching on my lab coat. Her hands go to her hips and she narrows her eyes. “What do you want with her?”

Yep, this is definitely her sister.

“I want to talk.”

“About horses?” The woman steps onto the porch, gaze unwavering. Right, she’s a lawyer. The intense and almost intimidating gaze makes sense now.

“No, not about horses.”

Josie’s sister stares at me for another few seconds and then lets out a breath. “Look, I don’t know you, but I do know that my sister came home not that long ago and was really fucking upset. All I was able to get out of her was that it’s not your fault and she should have known better so I’m only going to say this once.” She steps forward, crossing her arms across her chest. “My little sister is one of the sweetest, kindest people you’ll ever meet. No one can fault you for not wanting a relationship, but if you string her along and break her heart, I swear to God, you will be sorry.”

“I don’t want to hurt her,” I say. “I…I’m in love with her.”

Josie’s sister leans back, still eyeing me suspiciously. “Are you going to tell her that?”

“That was my intention.”

She nods. “I’m Louisa, by the way. It’s nice to finally meet you. Seriously, Jacob,” she starts, and the hard expression melts off her face. “Don’t hurt her.”

“I will never.”

Louisa holds my gaze for another moment and then nods in the direction of the barn. “Jo’s in the barn somewhere.”

“I guess I should have started there.” I bring my hand to the back of my neck. “She’s lucky to have you watching out for her.”

“Oh, I know.” Louisa smiles and then goes back into the house. I jump down the porch steps and jog toward the barn. Riley comes out, greeting me excitedly. I pause for only a few seconds to pet him, and then run the rest of the way into the barn.

“Josie,” I call, stopping at the door. She doesn’t reply, and I don’t see her in there. “Josie?” Only Thor and Bailey respond, whinnying at me for food. Josie’s laptop and a stack of printed off reports sit on a shelf in the barn. Right, she still has a job and is somehow managing to balance it along with being a mom and taking care of the horses. It’s too much for her to have to do, and I want to help lighten her load.

Hurrying through the barn, I go out the opposite side and call for Josie again. She’s not in the run-in shelter either, but it looks like she just refilled a hay net by the pasture gate.