“He didn’t even know me,” she said, watching her lips move in the mirror. “He didn’t give me up because he didn’t like me.”
And why did it matter if that was the reason? He’d given her a wonderful gift. Two of them, actually. A mother and a father who loved her.
Andwho liked her.
She turned away from herself and went down the dark hall to her childhood bedroom. Her mother had gotten rid of the frilly purple curtains, and the butterfly bedspread. The pictures of Farrah and her horse remained, as did her trophies, medals, and sashes. Farrah let her fingers trail over the emblems of her past.
Her horses had always liked her, wild hair and too tight knees against their sides and everything.
She climbed into bed, her mind churning out one question.
But do you like you?
chapter
nineteen
Darren had barely settledinto his new home—most of which sat empty as he owned two pieces of furniture. A bed and a recliner—before he boarded a plane with Ben and flew to Billings.
Sam and Bonnie were hosting Thanksgiving dinner at their farm in Coral Canyon, and Logan and Layla were coming.
Rae was too far along in her pregnancy to fly, and she and her mother had volunteered to help out with the church meal. Pastor Gray sponsored a holiday meal for anyone who didn’t have family in the area to celebrate with. “No one should have to eat alone on Thanksgiving,” he’d said from the pulpit a few weeks ago. He was a master at getting people to volunteer to help others, and Darren half wished he could stay home and fry a turkey for the church get-together.
After all, he didn’t really want to hash out why Farrah had broken up with him again. He’d texted the news to Logan, who had called. Darren had avoided the call, and Logan hadn’t tried again.
He did send motivational texts all the time, almost to the point that when Darren’s phone made its snappy ringtone he’d specifically chosen for Logan, dread filled his stomach.
He didn’t need to see things likeShe’ll come around.
OrBe patient with her. Remember what happened when I wasn’t patient with Layla?
OrLayla says she can talk to her. See how she’s doing.
Darren had finally responded to that one.Don’t let Layla talk to her. I’m fine. We’re fine.
He was anything but fine, living on his dream farm with the woman he loved as an employee. An employee who hadn’t spoken to him in almost two months, but still. His desire to have Farrah on the farm with him sometimes threatened to drive him mad.
He’d heat something for dinner, only to think of her eating with him someday, and then his appetite would flee.
But as Ben navigated toward Coral Canyon on the east side of Yellowstone National Park, Darren knew he’d have to explain more of the situation to his brothers if he wanted them to stop asking questions.
The questions themselves didn’t bother him. It was reliving the pain that still echoed in his heart. Remembering the agony in her eyes as she said it wasn’t his turn. Experiencing the pure powerlessness he had over the situation.
Most days, he could just go to work around the farm and not have to think about Farrah. But as winter arrived, and there was less physical labor required, his distraction wouldn’t last for much longer.
“Here we are.” Ben pulled into the driveway at the blue farmhouse where they’d grown up. “I wish Rae had been able to come.”
“I know, bro.” Darren flashed Ben a sympathetic look and got out of the car. He collected his luggage and headed up the steps on the side of the house. The door opened to warmth, cheery yellow light, and the scent of milk and powder—like his new niece.
“We’re here,” he called, and the piano playing in the other room silenced. Sam made an appearance a moment later, followed by Bonnie, who carried a little bundle Darren really wanted to meet.
“Hey.” Sam grinned as if Darren and Ben were celebrities. He crossed the distance to them and drew them into a double hug. “You made it. How was the flight?”
“Long,” Ben complained at the same time Darren said, “Just fine.”
“Logan just called. He said there’s a storm coming in fast. They’re hoping to beat it here.”
Darren hoped they would too. He and Logan had been close growing up, and until Logan had moved to California last January, they’d never slept in two different rooms. He hadn’t realized how powerful their twin bond was until his brother wasn’t there.
