“I need to ask...”
Something in his voice sent a shiver racing down her spine. “What?”
“The guy who messed you over. Was that Don Bell?”
She gaped up at him, feeling panicked and also immobilized.
And heknew. “All right, then. Don was the guy and his wife, Maura, she was the ringleader of those girls who attacked you on Digger’s Trail.”
Van managed one word. “How...?”
He gazed down at her for the longest time before he answered. “At the barbecue on the Fourth of July, I saw you talking to them. You looked like you couldn’t wait to get away.”
She held his gaze, and she drilled her point home. “I mean it, Jameson. You gave me your word. Do not go after Donnie—or Maura, for that matter.”
“You don’t have to worry. I keep my promises. Besides...”
She wasn’t sure she liked the look in his eyes. “Besides what?”
“I wouldn’t have a clue what to do about Maura. I don’t beat up women, and I’m guessing the statute of limitations has run out on what she did to you. As for Don Bell, I saw his face when he looked at you. He knows what he lost. I’m thinking that’s payback enough for that sucker.”
She was the one gaping now.
Because she believed him.
And not only about what hewouldn’tdo to Donnie Bell.
She believed in his good heart and his kind ways. She believed that he cared for her, that his word meant something to him, and he would always keep it, that he would never thoughtlessly hurt her.
She loved being with him, in bed and out. Lately, when she didn’t keep a good rein on herself, she could almost picture a life with him, right here in Bronco, close to her family.
But she had to remember that was only a fantasy and fantasies ended in pain when things went bad. She just wasn’t ready go there again. One way or another, it never worked out.
She only needed to hold on to reality. To enjoy this time they had together. And, when the end of summer came, to do what she’d promised to do—walk away.
Chapter Ten
Gently, Jameson eased Vanessa’s glasses off and set them on the table. Then he kissed her.
The kiss heated up fast. They ended up in the bedroom once more, naked on the tangled sheets of his bed, holding on tight to each other in a bright pool of morning sun.
After the lovemaking, she closed her eyes.
He held her in his arms as she slept. She looked so peaceful. He stared down at her beautiful, freckled face, and the truth hit him like a damn wrecking ball, square in the chest.
He was in big trouble with her. He loved her.
And she’d been hurt one too many times.
She’d made it way too clear. No matter what he did to try to get through to her, she wouldn’t let it happen for them. She would leave as she’d always said she would, head back to Billings at summer’s end.
Maybe if he moved to Billings...
He couldn’t believe he’d actually let himself consider such a thing. He’d always been a Bronco man through and through.
But sometimes a man had to prioritize, be willing to make changes to get what he wanted most. He could buy good land up there. It was only a couple of hours away from Bronco, and he could come home often, help out here when needed—and run the family AI business from the new place.
A cynical voice in his head mocked,It doesn’t matter what you do. She’s not up for forever, fool.
