“Yes, probably since the first time I saw you.”
“And you know I love you, too?”
Her heart breaking, she nodded.
“So let me get this straight—we love each other, but you can’t be with me because you’re scared of what you’ll feel if something happens to me?”
Tears had clogged up her throat, talking wasn’t possible.She nodded again.
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.Isn’t love supposed to conquer all?I flew all the way here to talk to you because I can’t tolerate being without you.I know you don’t want to get married, and I’m fine with that, as long as I can be with you.Yeah, I’m in Colorado and you’re in Montana, but I was hoping we could work something out so that we can see one another regularly but now you’re telling me you’re too scared to feel too much.”
Tears were streaming down her face.“I can’t do it, Hunter.Every time you’d leave, I’d be devastated.And what if something happens to you?It’s all just too much, don’t you see?”
“No, damn it, I don’t see, I don’t understand.I’ve waited my whole for someone I can truly connect with and then I found you and fell in love with you, but now we can’t be together because you don’t think you could handle it if anything happens to me?I know your feelings run deep, that is one of the things I love about you.You wouldn’t have been able to make all that beautiful art, that portrait of me, if it wasn’t true.You can’t hide from ever feeling pain, surely you know that?”
His heart, like hers, was breaking into tiny little pieces.As wave after wave of grief crashed over her, she crossed her arms, trying futilely to protect herself.
“I’m sorry,” was all she could manage.
For another moment he looked at, his indigo blue eyes bright with tears before he turned on his heel and walked out of the apartment.
Sagging down on the nearest chair, she let the tears run freely down her face.
*
For a momentHunter stood still on the sidewalk outside the apartment building to catch his breath.He was hurting and so angry he could punch something.Taking out his phone to get a Ride-share car, he began walking.
He wanted to get back to his hotel and try and get a flight back to Denver as soon as possible.Staying here when Willow didn’t want to see him was not an option.With his eyes on the sidewalk in front of him, he ordered a Ride-share car, giving the name of the restaurant where they’d just had dinner.
“Hunter?”asked Jade.
As he looked up, his sister, Wilder, and the Westons were all still standing outside the restaurant.
Jade frowned.“What happened?”
Damn it to hell, he didn’t need this as well.“I’m going back to Denver.”
“What the hell, man?”Hayden snarled.
Cooper stepped forward.“She sent you away?”
Throwing his hand in the air, Hunter nodded.“I love her.She loves me.For whatever reason though,thatseems to be the problem.She’s afraid of feeling pain when something happens to me.I don’t understand it, but that’s what she says.”Swallowing against the lump in his throat, he knew he had to get away from here quickly.“All I know is she doesn’t want me in her life.”
Fortunately, the Ride-share car arrived at that moment.“This is my ride.I’ll see you at home, Jade, Wilder.”
Without looking at the Westons again, he got into the car.He had one more stop to make before he left.
A while later, he got out in front of the gallery where Willow’s exhibition was.
“Please wait for me, I won’t be long.”
“Will do.”
With long strides Hunter entered the gallery.He was taking Willow’s paintings of him, back home with him.She loved him.Even he, who was no expert on art, could see it in every brush stroke.Both portraits and the other one of him on his horse were going home with him.
If he couldn’t have her, at least he’d always have the paintings to remind him she loved him.
*
