Uncle Bill steps out from his little office. He’s been watching me closely all morning. “You all right, Anna?”
“I’m fine.” It’s a lie, but there’s no way I can explain what’s really wrong. Not without outing exactly how unprofessional I’ve been.
He leans against the counter. “You’ve been doing good work since you got here,” he says. “I was concerned about the roughness of this place, but you’ve handled yourself very well.”
I nod, swallowing hard. “Thank you.”
He stares me for a beat, then says. “I think it’s time.”
“Time?”
“I’d like to officially offer you the practice.” He can’t keep the smile from his face. “That is if you still want it.”
“Want it?” I open and close my mouth before finally swallowing hard. “Yes. Of course.”
“You’ve earned it, Anna. And I know this place will be in good hands with you.” He pulls me in for a warm hug before releasing me and holding me at arm’s length. “That is, if you’re sure you want this life.”
I did. Ido.
The clinic. My name on the door. My own patients, my own future. It’s everything I’ve ever worked for. Everything I’ve ever wanted.
At least everything IthoughtI wanted before Wyatt Thorne.
The reality that choosing this and committing to the practice means that whatever it was with Wyatt will be gone forever causes the ache in my chest to bloom. But then again, wasthere ever really anything with Wyatt anyway? Nothing beyond a few days stranded in a snowstorm before he let me drive away without even a second glance.
That’s hardly a reason to turn down the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had.
I nod, blinking back the sting in my eyes. “Yes. I’m sure.”
A few signatures later, and it’s done. Just that easy. I set the pen down, staring at my name on the line. Dr. Anna Milligan, Owner.
I should feel proud. Instead, there’s a hollow ache in my chest. Because owning this place means staying. And staying means watching him walk away.
Before I can think too hard, the bell over the door in the lobby jingles. Hard. Then there’s a rush of noise, voices and footsteps.
“Anna!”
I turn and stare at Uncle Bill, whose face is schooled into a deep frown. No doubt, he’s already questioning his decision. I shake my head, but don’t have a chance to say anything, because the voices in the lobby have escalated.
Before they can disturb the animals, I lead the way to the front, Uncle Bill right behind me.
Wyatt, hat in hand, snow on his jacket, stands in the middle of the tiny lobby. He takes up all the air in the room. All eyes are on him as he stands in front of Mrs. Rumpel, getting an earful of what she thinks about him.
To his credit, he’s not responding.
“Wyatt.” He spins at the sound of my voice. “What are you?—”
“I tried to stay away,” he says, his voice rough, eyes locked on mine. “I’m sorry, Anna.” He takes a step toward me. “I told myself it was better that way. Better to just let you go. You’ve got a life here. A future. Hell, you deserve better than some busted-up old cowboy.”
He takes another step closer. The air between us is electric. It takes everything I have inside me to keep from reaching for him. My entire body, mind and heart want to be in his arms.
“But the truth is, you changed me, Anna,” he continues. “You bring light and love to the ranch. But more importantly, you bring it tome.You make me want the ranch. You make me want itall.A life. A future. Withyou.”
Someone, maybe it’s Mrs. Rumpel or the older gentleman sitting across the room gasps. No one is even pretending not to listen.
“I love you, Anna,” he says, the words loud and clear enough to echo through the entire room. “And I don’t care who knows it. In fact, I want everyone to know it. And I’m not leaving Rock Creek. Or the ranch. Not if you’ll have me.”
My heart is pounding so hard it hurts.
