So why did he walk away?
Because it had been easier than facing the reality of a hard conversation. Tripp dragged a hand down his face. It was too late now. He couldn’t go back out there and stop her from leaving. She was probably halfway home by now.
“Hey,” Brent grunted as he settled into Wendy’s vacated chair. A cursory glance of his brother indicated that Brent looked about ready to call it a night. He might be younger, but he was an early riser and that meant he went to bed earlier than most.
“Hey,” Tripp muttered.
“You look like?—”
“If you know what’s good for you, you won’t finish that statement,” Tripp snapped.
His brother chuckled. They sat in silence, both watching the scene around them. Tripp hadn’t seen his brother show any interest in anyone, but that didn’t mean anything. Brent kept to himself. He was quiet.
Kinda like Wendy.
Great. Was everything going to remind him of her, now?
“So, I was wondering if you could answer something for me,” Brent finally broke the silence.
“What’s that?”
“Do you know why that Wendy chick decided to sneak off to the barn?”
Tripp’s whole body went rigid. “What?”
“Yeah. I was out front to help decorate Reese’s truck and I saw her sneak away. I thought maybe you’d told her to wait for you there.” Knowing amusement laced his voice.
Tripp was up and out of his seat before his brother finished his statement.
“Hey, where are you?—”
He didn’t care if he ruined his dress shoes. Tripp sprinted toward the nearest barn where they kept their horses. Wendy was drawn to the animals, it would make sense that she’d go there to get some form of comfort if she was feeling stressed.
Perhaps he should feel guilty. His parting words weren’t exactly kind. But he had suspicions that they were the reason she didn’t officially run. And if he was right, he had a hard time regretting what he’d said.
The barn had muted lighting at night to allow for anyone to find their way around in the dark. Horses tossed their heads restlessly when he entered. “Wendy?” he called out the second he entered. “Brent saw you come out here.” Straining his ears for any sign of her, he willed his breathing to slow.
It took a few minutes before he finally heard it.
A distinct sniffle.
Tripp took careful steps toward the sound. “Wendy. I think we should talk.”
She emerged from an empty stall, fury in her gaze. Her arms were folded and if looks could kill, he’d be six feet under. “Really? Not done slinging your insults?”
He grimaced. “I was upset.”
“Yeah? Well, so was I.” She scoffed and shook her head. “You have a lot of nerve coming in here and?—”
“I’m sorry.”
Wendy stilled.
Continuing toward her cautiously, like he’d approach a wounded animal, Tripp held up both hands. “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. But I’m not sorry about what I said.”
Her eyes narrowed and she shifted so she continued to face him fully as he approached. “That’s not an apology, Tripp.”
“I get it, okay? I get that we started off on the wrong foot.”
