“Wait, do you know that Hunter…”
But Willow had already ended the call.She didn’t want to know anything about Hunter.
Minutes later, first Hayden and then Becket called, but she ignored the ringing.They’d probably heard from their mother about the fake engagement.Pressing her fingers against her tired eyes, she sighed.If she had to talk about her fake engagement once more, she was going to bawl her eyes out.Why had she thought it was a good idea?
Her heart aching, she marched to the bathroom.She had to get this blasted ring off, one way or the other.In the bathroom, she lathered soap all over her fingers before she again tried to take the ring off.Nothing worked.Not water, not soap.Frustrated, she lifted her hand.Gleefully, the ring winked at her.Damn it, it wasn’t a tight fit, there was no reason why it shouldn’t be easy to take off.
Frustrated, she dropped her hand.She was going to bed, this was ridiculous.
Much later, as she lay staring at the ceiling yet again, she was restless.It was the same kind of niggling feeling that bothered her when something was wrong with one of her family members, but they were all fine, she knew that.
Her phoned pinged with a text.Her heart skipped a beat and even before she picked it up, she knew it was from Hunter.
“Safely back in Colorado.You okay?”
No, I’m not okay, I hurt, damn it,she wanted to shout, but there was nobody that could hear her.In the end she sent an emoji.
A thumbs-up emoji instead of words.
Chapter Thirteen
By lunchtime onMonday, Hunter was so tired, he was struggling to keep his eyes open.He was still so ticked off by Willow’s response to his text the previous evening.After everything, after they’d made love, all he got was a damn thumbs-up emoji.Well, what had he expected?He’d wanted to know if she was okay and she’d shown him.With a thumb, but at least he knew she was safely in Seattle.
When he’d left the Weston ranch the previous morning, he’d thought he might find a place to stay for the night somewhere along the way, but he hadn’t had the energy to face other people and only stopped for gas and something to eat.He’d reached the ranch outside Denver a little after nine that night.
This morning, he’d been up early to talk to his dad about taking over the management of the ranch.At least his timing was perfect for returning home.For the first time, his dad seemed relieved to know he wouldn’t be solely responsible for the management anymore.The rest of the morning he’d used to familiarize himself with what was going on at the ranch and had spoken to the team of cowboys, many of whom had been working here ever since he could remember.
He’d already had plans drawn up a few years ago for a house he wanted to build for himself when he finally returned to the ranch, it was time to put those plans into action.Until then, he would stay in the small cabin within walking distance from his parents’ house—where he’d stayed before he’d left for Montana.
He missed Willow with every breath he took.Images of her smile, the light in her eyes when they made love, those long, sexy legs wrapped around him, were constantly feeding the deep ache inside of him.
As he walked into the house, his stomach growled, reminding him of how hungry Willow was when they’d visited the Garden of Lights.And there she was back in his thoughts.
Only Jade was at the kitchen table, having lunch.
“Where are Mom and Dad?”he asked as he sat down.
She grinned.“Drove into town to book a vacation.I’ve tried to convince them they could do everything online or even just phone someone, but I think they’re enjoying the freedom of doing what they want to, when they want to because there is someone here to look after the ranch.”
As he helped himself to some food, he looked at his sister.“You look pleased with yourself.Any specific reason?”
With twinkling eyes, she turned her hand, and he saw the engagement ring she was wearing.
His eyes widened.“Engaged?Wow.Congratulations.Have I met the lucky guy?”
Blushing a pretty pink, she beamed.“It’s Wilder Nelson.”
“As in your arch enemy for most of your life, Wilder Nelson?”
Smiling, she nodded.“Turns out, we’ve loved each other since forever.”
He got up to give her a hug.“Well, if you’re happy, I’m happy.But I would like to talk to him.”
“As long as you don’t do that Neanderthal impression you always do whenever I bring anyone home.”
“I never liked the other guys you brought home.Wilder is okay.”Sitting down, he shook his head.“You’ve always been so irritated by just the mention of his name.And now you’re engaged to the guy.”
Jade laughed.“What can I say?I’m so happy!”
