"I bet not."
"I think my dad should be happy he at least got one boy who loves the family business almost as deliriously as he does."
Something about the way he says it makes me think there's a lot more to his words. "He's not happy?"
"No, he's really happy. With Wes. And Warner too, despite the fact he left everyone high and dry to pursue his passion."
"And you?"
Wyatt shifts, and he looks uncomfortable. "It's complicated."
"Been there," I say, trying to make him feel better. "My relationship with my mom is complicated."
"What did she—" His phone rings. He sends me a look of apology. "It's an HCC cowboy. It might only be a minor question, or it could be that a hunter is on the property and won't leave, you never know."
"Answer," I urge. Now I'm curious what he'd do about a hunter who refuses to leave his land.
"Denny?" Wyatt says in lieu of a greeting. "What's going on?"
He listens, his posture shifting as the moments tick by. He stands straighter. His entire face hardens. "Where did you see her?"
I look away. Who isher?
It's so quiet out here, I can just barely make out Denny on the end of the line saying the name Sara. And even though I know better, something inside me plummets.
Sara Schultz. The married woman Wyatt's been sneaking around with. I didn't forget about her, but I put it out of my mind on purpose. It hurts to think about, more than it should. Wyatt's business is Wyatt's business.
And, once again, I am in a relationship. A happy relationship.
In my peripheral vision, I catch Wyatt's gaze sliding over to me. I keep my eyes fixed elsewhere, so I don't appear interested.
"Thanks for letting me know about… that," Wyatt says, and I get the feeling he's choosing his words carefully, knowing he has an audience. He ends the call and slips his phone back into his pocket.
"I have to get going," he announces, glancing at the pile of trash. "I'll be back to finish up in the morning."
He walks away on fast feet, and I refuse to watch him go. Resentment builds inside me until it's all I can feel.
She'smarried. It's his best friend's wife, for God's sake. What is he doing?
And why did he never want to do it with me?
10
Jo
Wyatt doesn't showup for two days.
How many times have I had my finger poised to dial Sheriff Monroe and call this off? Too many to count.
How many times have I placed the call?
Zero.
11
Wyatt
I'm goingto tell her the bruise came from a bar fight. She'll believe it. She already thinks the worst of me, I can see it every time her eyes roam my face.
