Nodding, Hunter picked up his knife and fork.Initially, Willow too, had seemed to be angry with him for some or other reason.He’d thought it was because he’d taken her home when she’d had too much to drink and had to undress her.Things had changed dramatically since the night of their fake engagement, though.
Images of their night together ran through his mind.Making love to Willow Weston was something entirely different to anything he’d experienced before.He’d been like a mad man, unable to get enough of her.
“…looking so lost?”His sister’s voice finally penetrated his thoughts.
He quickly looked up.
Jade leaned forward.“Talk to me, what’s wrong?And don’t tell me nothing, I know you too well.”
“There was someone, it didn’t work out.”
Jade frowned.“What did she do to you?”
He couldn’t help smiling.“You sound like her brothers.”
“Tell me about her.”
And leaning back in his chair he told his sister about Willow, from the first day he’d seen her to their ridiculous fake engagement.“So, she left early Sunday morning for Seattle and I… well, I returned home.”
Clearly stunned, she stared at him.“Did she say anything before she left?”
He shook his head.
“But you’ve told her you loved her?”
“No, of course not.We had a deal.She left, I told the family the engagement has ended, and I returned to Colorado.It wouldn’t have made any difference.”
Jade glared at him.“Of course it’ll make a difference, you idiot.If you really love her, go to her, tell her how you feel.If I hadn’t walked up to Wilder and told him I’ve figured out he makes me so mad because I have feelings for him, I wouldn’t have known he loves me, too.Nobody talks about feelings in his family, he didn’t know how to.But you’ve never been scared to show what you feel, to trust your gut, that’s why you were able to walk away from someone as toxic as your first girlfriend.What was her name again?”
“Linda.”
She nodded.“I’ve never heard you talk about a woman like you talk about Willow Weston.Your whole being lights up.What kind of artist is she?”
“Beautiful,” slipped out before he could stop the word.
Jade rolled her eyes.“Oh, man, you have it bad.I’m talking about her art.”
Hunter grinned sheepishly.“She’s known for her Montana landscapes.Although, she’s done something different as well.”
“Different how?”
He got up.There were things he’d rather not talk about.“Different.I’ve got to go.”
“Did she leave the ring?”
He looked up quickly, he hadn’t even thought about it.“The ring?No.”
“See?”
“I know she’s struggled to get it off.That’s probably why.I don’t think she means to keep it.”
“How do you know?Go and see her, please?”
Shrugging, he shook his head.“She’s on a ranch near Marietta, Montana, miles from here.I’m taking over from Dad, it’s what we’ve always talked about.Besides, she was very clear about never getting married.”Although everything inside of him wanted to go to Willow, nothing had changed.
“Nothing says you have to get married, remember?The question, my dear brother, is whether you want to be with her or not.If you do, you’ll find a way.”
He shook his head.“There’s no way I could be with her only to have to leave her again.I won’t survive that.Dad needs me to help with the ranch, you know it.I’ve got to go.”
