“There always is when you have kids.” She patted me on the shoulder and ruffled a hand in my hair. “You got all the stubbornness from your father.”
“He said it came from you.”
She smiled, and the loss I often glimpsed in her eyes flared up before dying back down to a smolder. “You got his fierce love and loyalty. All you boys did.” She dropped her hand. “It’s biting you in the ass now. Go get her, Teller.”
“And what? Bring her back to the town that feels like a prison?”
“I don’t know,” she said simply. “But you can’t figure it out on your own.”
“What if she never wants to return?”
“She might not,” Mama said calmly. She rose and stood over me. I was back to being that five-year-old, getting a talking-to. “That girl rearranged her life for the people she loved. Even when they didn’t deserve it. I hope she finds someone someday who’s willing to do the same for her.”
Mama walked out, leaving me alone and feeling like an absolutely selfish dick.
Madison did deserve someone who was willing to sacrifice as much for her as she’d done for others. She deserved to have those millions and live out her dream. She didn’t deserve to do it alone.
But I had a life here. I had a home. I had two jobs that fit me to aT. Madison could go anywhere and do anything. Be with anyone. How much was I willing to sacrifice for her?
Madison
The airport was emptying out. Only one gate was open. The last flight leaving for the day.
I’d been here for hours, and I was on my third ticket. If I didn’t leave on this flight, I’d have to find somewhere to stay for the night. I stared at the destination on my boarding pass. I had three airline apps on my phone. When I’d woken up this morning, I hadn’t even had one.
Couples of all ages filled the seats around me. Older couples relaxed in their chairs and chatted with each other about cattle prices and crop rotations. If they weren’t discussing that, they were talking about the various trips they’d taken over their lifetime.
Then there were families with tired but excited little kids. My heart wrung like a dishcloth just when I’d thought there wasn’t more sadness to squeeze out of me. Growing up, I’d thought I’d be the parent who offered their kid everything I hadn’t had.
I clicked my screen off.
“Attention all passengers . . .”
I barely heard the announcement. I’d never flown before, but the last few hours had given me a whirlwind education in booking flights. All I had to do was get up and walk through the door.
The seats around me were empty as I slumped. My face was still red and blotchy, and at least once an hour, I spontaneously started crying. No wonder I was an oasis. Security hadn’t approached me yet, but if I cried one more time, the ticket agent might actually do more than side-eye me.
I massaged my temples. Fatigue hung on my shoulders and coaxed my eyelids to shut. I obeyed. At least I’d have a valid reason for missing the flight if I snoozed.
What was I doing? Where would I go? More importantly, was it worth leaving behind someone who’d become very important to me. Someone who was everything.
Teller Bailey had made me happy and wasn’t that ultimately what I wanted?
The answer kept me planted in this damn seat, watching travelers launch their adventures.
I loved him and he loved me. Could it be that simple? Would I really be giving up my dreams when kind, strong, handsome, bearded Teller Bailey was my own personal fantasy come to life?
What had leaving cost me? Could I even go back after fleeing Bourbon Canyon and him like they were death sentences?
What if I returned and he’d already moved on?
My brain tried telling me that was ridiculous. It’d been a half a day. But I couldn’t look at him, at those dark eyes that brought me so much comfort, and see that I had killed that affection that used to be there.
Or was I just being a coward?
Airline ticket number three said possibly.
Someone sat next to me and I was wrapped in a woodsy, citrusy scent. What torture was this? I dropped my hands and opened my eyes.
