A long moment of silence descended around them.
“I’m afraid if I let her in, thoughts of her would haunt me all day until I couldn’t get anything done.”
Abby looked over her shoulder.“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Jared snorted.“Jesus, Abby, Thanks for your support.”
“I will not support idiotic reasoning.What do you think other men do who care for their wives?What do you think Terry does?I don’t understand your thought process?”
Jared waited a moment.“Remember Todd?”
Abby looked confused.“Yes, what about him?”
“Did you notice that after he married Carrie, his ranch slowly died because all he wanted to do was spend time with her.”
She looked at him in shock.“And you think he lost his ranch because he loved her too much?”
Jared blew out a frustrated breath.“The way you say it makes it sound stupid.”
Abby shrugged.“Because it is.Todd didn’t lose his ranch because of a woman.He lost it after the drought took more than half his herd.He wasn’t able to get back on top of the ranch after that.A lot of ranchers lost their places over that drought.”
Jared’s brows snapped together.“Why haven’t I heard this story before?”
“Because you were so busy keeping this ranch going, remember?The drought hit us hard, also.”
Jared ran a frustrated hand through his hair before he raised his gaze to Abby.
“The first moment I saw her in person, I was done.I felt almost like someone had pulled my heart from my chest, blew it up, and put the pieces back in.The feeling of possessing her overtook every thought in my head.I had to marry her the next day.I used her father as an excuse to get her to the altar.I haven’t reassured her that her father won’t ever have a chance to hurt her again.”
“That would have been nice for her to know.I know she worries about him from time to time.Usually, after he calls here for her.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”Jared yelled.
“I thought she’d have told you, but I should have known you two don’t talk about anything personal.He’s called here several times.I’ve watched her a few times, and I know he upsets her.She won’t talk about it, but she usually disappears into your room for a while.When she comes out, I can tell she’s been crying, but she goes about her day, or what of it she’s made with so little to fill her time.”
They both stayed silent for a moment.
“Do you know what I find the saddest?”Abby narrowed her eyes and asked him.
Jared was afraid to answer.
“That she never once complained and always talked about you like you mattered to her.It’s nice to have someone care for you.She has me, but I’m an old woman.The only other people she has are you and her father, and frankly, you both treat her like shit, and she’d be better off without either of you.”
Jared slapped a hand against the doorjamb.
“Don’t say that, dammit.I know I screwed up, but I care about her more than I ever thought possible.Now tell me where she is?”
Abby looked at him silently for a short moment.
“She left.”She felt a little bad that she’d said it like that when all the color in his face dripped away, but he deserved a little fear.
“What ...you’re messing with me.”He turned abruptly and walked through the house, yelling her name.There was stark fear in his face when he came back.“Where?Do you know where?”
Abby walked across the kitchen and placed a hand on his arm.
“Jared, she’s coming back.She just went into town.”
“You don’t know that, Abby.I wouldn’t blame her, but damn, I’m not letting her go.”
