Her mind racing, she tried to remember the time frame.When had the idea first popped into her head?She’d met Greg in Bozeman once to talk about the exhibition, but at that point she still hadn’t known, or had she?For another few moments, she struggled to recall what had happened when but out of nowhere Hunter’s face flashed before her and she remembered.
The seed for the idea had been sown way back at the Winter Ball, the first time she’d danced with the tall cowboy.She’d still been so mad at him because he’d undressed her on the night he’d taken her home, she didn’t even wanted to talk to him, let alone dance with him.Beguiled by the expression on his face, she’d agreed—against everything she’d decided before that time—to dance with him.During those few minutes in his arms something had happened—she’d fallen in love with him.
A block before the restaurant where she was to meet a reporter she looked down at the ring in her hand, again aware of a strange restlessness.What was this constant niggling?Quickly she got out her phone and called her mother.If she knew her family was fine, she could hopefully relax.
“I’m packing for our trip,” her mom said as she answered.
“I’m so looking forward to seeing all of you.Is everyone okay?”
“Yes, why do you ask?”
“I don’t know, it’s just… something.A feeling, But if you’re all fine, it’s probably…”
“Hunter?”her mom interrupted her.“Have you spoken to him yet?”
Willow sighed.“There’s no point, Mom, he’s in Colorado.Besides, I… I somehow… I can’t read him.”
“Now that is interesting,” her mom said.“Maybe you needed to be away from him for you to know his heart?I’m sure you’ll figure it out.We’ll see you tomorrow.How does everything look?”
“I’m very happy with what Greg and Eden have done, I can’t wait for all of you to see it.I’ve booked a table for all of us at a new restaurant for dinner after the opening.Greg and Eden are raving about the place.”
“Sounds fabulous.And Willow?”
“Yes, Mom?”
“You do know what Hunter is feeling even though you don’t want to know.Listen with your heart, the way you always do.See you tomorrow!”
Exasperated, Willow put her phone away as she quickly moved toward the restaurant.Where her heart was supposed to be was a huge hole.How could she listen with it if it had been shattered in a million little pieces?Oh, damn, she didn’t have to be quite so dramatic now, did she?She needed a good cry, that was all, but when she was back home there would be enough time for that.
A lifetime, really.
*
Hunter’s plane waslate, and he arrived in Seattle with very little time to spare until the opening of the exhibition.He still had to get to his hotel room, shower and change but he should be able to make it in time.
He was anxious to see Willow.She had to feel something for him, he’d convinced himself, but now that he was here, he wasn’t so sure.Maybe he’d imagined the whole thing because he was so desperately in love with her.
As he stepped from the ride-share car, images of the night he’d spend with Willow ran through his mind.No, damn it, she felt something for him.He didn’t have her sixth sense, but he’d held her in his arms, heard her moans, been the recipient of one of her thousand-watt smiles as she’d straddled him.He knew.
Somehow, he had to convince her they should try a long-distance relationship.It wouldn’t be easy but if it was what they both wanted, surely they could make it work?
Checking into the hotel went smoothly, thank goodness.As he closed the door behind him, his phone rang.It was the realtor in Marietta he’d spoken to a couple of times, Tod Styles.He hadn’t been too impressed with the guy and had actually thought of contacting someone else, but then he’d left, and it didn’t really matter anymore.
With everything that had happened over the last two weeks, he hadn’t even thought about letting Tod know he’d left Marietta.Besides, he’d have thought the town gossip mill would’ve already circulated the news of the broken engagement.Surely Aurelia Hill, self-appointed president of the gossip mill, hadn’t lost her touch?
“Hi, Hunter,” Tod greeted.“Rumor has it you’ve left the Westons?”
“Yes, it was time to return to Colorado.What can I do for you?”
“A beautiful ranch not far from the Weston ranch is for sale, we’ve just heard about it but if you’re back in Colorado, you obviously won’t be interested.”
“Send the details to me anyway,” slipped out before Hunter could stop himself.
“Will do.I don’t think it will be available for much longer; it’s a beautiful place.”
Hunter had a few more questions, and by the time they ended the call, his head was spinning.
Within seconds though, reality crashed over him.He couldn’t let his dad down.Period.As he’d seen over the last few days, even though his dad was fitter than most men his age, it was clear it wasn’t as easy for him to keep up with the daily chores as it had been for most of his life.He still enjoyed getting on his horse, riding out with the cowboys, but his movements were noticeably slower than the previous time Hunter had been home.
