Trish
The night wore on.Trish tried her best to keep Wade, Lina, and Allen supplied with coffee. Chet refused to have more than one cup of his cappuccino, then he switched to water. But by midnight, Trish could hardly keep her eyes open.
She wanted to head back to the ranch and curl up with a loveable German shepherd in her bed, but she wasn’t about to ask anyone to drive her. The entire family was on pins and needles waiting for someone to tell them it was time, each one taking a turn to sit with Kate.
If only she had her new laptop, at least she could get some writing in. Instead, she dozed off and on, stirring awake sometime around four.
“You holding up okay?” Wade stood in front of her chair, extending a cup of coffee.
She pushed herself into a sitting position, terrified that she looked a wreck. The too-much makeup she’d applied for their date the night before was surely smudged around her eyes. With a few pats of her hands, it was evident that the hairspray had formed sharp, odd angles in her short hair. “Is it black?” she asked, though right now she didn’t really care. She’d drink anything that would bring a little bit of warmth to her bones.
“I fancied it up, just for you.”
The sentiment, and Wade’s flashed smile, warmed her. Gave her a tiny ping of hope that maybe there was a future with this cowboy. “Thank you.”
He dropped into the seat next to hers and sipped on his own cup.
She looked around the waiting room, but Wade was the only one she recognized. “Where is everyone?”
“Grams is in with Kate. Allen went to get Ty from the airport. They managed to get him on a puddle jumper to Gillette. Should be back anytime. Chet’s been good at hiding.”
In other words, they were finally alone with nothing to do but wait. Now had to be as good a time as any to talk. But the words wouldn’t form. Instead, Trish dared to rest her head on his shoulder. She felt him tense. Worried she’d overstepped some invisible line, she pulled away. Chet’s words echoed in her mind. Maybe public displays of affection were off limits.
Trish readjusted herself and sat up, cupping both hands around her coffee. With a deep breath, she braved on. “When I first came here,” she started. “Why did you think it was better for me to believe that you were married?”
Wade didn’t answer at first. Just let out a deep sigh. “Trish, I’m exhausted. This really isn’t the best time to talk.”
Her first instinct was to apologize, because of course it wasn’t. But Trish had spent half her relationship with Henry apologizing for things that didn’t warrant an apology. She was done being that girl. “No, it’s not the best time,” Trish said. “But time isn’t something we have a whole lot of left.”
“Exactly.” Wade ran both hands over his face. “You’re leaving, Trish. Nothing changes that.” Was Wade dismissing what was happening between them?
“You knew that from day one. So why’d you kiss me?”
“I don’t . . . It was a mistake.”
Trish shot up out of her chair, her heart pounding infuriatingly in her chest. “You’re lying.” A few heads turned at her accusation, but she didn’t pay them any mind. He’d taken his time with that kiss, drew her into it until the rest of the world faded around them. He’d even given her a chance to pull away. “It was very intentional. I wasthere, remember?”
Wade reached for her hand and pulled her back down to her chair. Jolts of electricity skittered up her arms at the contact, and from the widening of his eyes, she knew he felt it, too. How could he possibly deny that there was something between them? Something stronger, more vibrant than either could comprehend? Somethingreal.
“I can’t give you what you need, Trish.” When she met his deep blue eyes, she saw pain in them. “I’ll never—”
“We’re here!” Allen bellowed as he ran into the waiting room, a tall man dressed in a military uniform right on his tail. “Is he here yet?” Allen’s attention was directed at Wade, waiting for the shake of his head.
Wade extended her an apologetic look before he abandoned his seat to welcome his brother-in-law home from war. She watched the hearty hugs from her seat, feeling more out of place by the minute. Wade led the expectant father toward Kate’s room.
“You’re still here?” Allen took a seat in the row behind her in the corner, letting out a big yawn as he did.
“It’s a long walk back to the ranch.”
Allen chuckled at that, and she felt more at ease than she’d been since arriving at the hospital. Allen had an easy way with people that made them feel welcome, much like Lina. “You still planning to head back to Omaha?”
“You make it sound like I have another choice.” Because the reality was, she didn’t. She had an apartment. Bills to pay. A cubicle job that was expecting her in her seat first thing Monday morning. Maybe Wade had a point. It was a romantic, whimsical idea to think she could abandon her life in such an impulsive way, and for what? A possible relationship with a cowboy she met only a few days ago? What if it didn’t work out? She’d be stuck all alone in Starlight, Wyoming while her best and only friend was hundreds of miles away.
“You going back to that stiff corporate guy?” Allen tipped his hat forward over his eyes and folded his arms after another yawn.
That question was easier to answer. “No. That chapter of my life’s over.” Henry had texted her a couple more times, each a little closer to an apology than the last. But Trish hadn’t bothered to respond. Maybe he’d get the hint that she’d moved on. “Allen, do you think—” But soft snores came from behind her, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Trish wished her life were a romance novel. Maybe then, the writer in her could figure out how long it would take Wade to come around, or what words she could use to help him open his heart to her. At least then she’d have a guarantee that they’d have a happily ever after. But the reality was, she wasn’t so sure this story—with Wade—hada happy ending.
