We planned a life together…
And then he disappeared…
He said he had to let me go to protect me from his father’s threats…
That’s probably a lie, too, just like all the other lies he told me…
Nick Borado didn’t see it that way.He’d placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice rough.Trust me, I’ve done worse.Would you consider the possibility that he’s telling you the truth?
Delilah Borado had teared up.The same thing happened between me and Nick.He was protecting me from his father, but I didn’t believe in him enough and I almost lost him.
Of course, Nate Desantro wasn’t so touchy-feely about the situation.Look, maybe the guy screwed up, maybe he didn’t.You’re going to have to decide, and then you’re going to have to move on.Those dark eyes had burned into her.One way or the other.Your choice.
Harry Blacksworth gave her a big hug and shared his thoughts.I think you might have been a bit hasty.Nobody screws up more than me.I think the guy got in deep and didn’t know how to get out and tell you the truth.Love will do that to you.
Jack Finnegan didn’t agree.Dang that boy.If I’d known he touched you back then, I would’ve gone after him and never let him set foot in this town again.
His wife was more forgiving.He loves you, Katie.That boy hasn’t seen a lot of love in his life, but I know it’s real, and I think deep down you know it’s real too.She’d dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief, sniffed.He was a mess the last time I saw him.Said he didn’t deserve you, and he’d have to live with what he’d done.
Rumors swirled around town hard and fast, pitted friends against friends, neighbors against neighbors, everyone having an opinion about Ian Finnegan and Katie Layton.
Why would you ever trust a long-haired tattooed stranger?
Money, money, money…
What did he think he was going to do when it all came out?And you know the truth always comes out.
I think he fell hard and didn’t know how to tell her.
Made a mess and broke her heart.
She’s always been too trusting.
Poor thing.She should have stayed with a more sensible partner, like the ex-fiancé.
He’s about as interesting as a dried-up turkey leg on Thanksgiving Day.
But he wouldn’t have broken her heart.
True, there is that.
What a mess.Katie might be a smart girl, but she picked a bad egg.
Says who?Long hair and tattoos don’t tell the story of a person’s character.Or are you talking about the wads of money he has?Or the fact that his family left town years ago?
I don’t care if he’s a walking billboard of tattoos and his hair reaches his feet.I’m talking about the fact that he lied to her.Doesn’t matter why.A lie’s a lie.
Even if he was trying to help her?
You love those gray areas, don’t you?Love, love, love them.
Why don’t you ask Jack Finnegan what he thinks about it?Word has it he’s none too pleased with Dolly right now, seeing as she knew quite a bit about the Finnegan boy, even kept in touch with him over the years.
You don’t say?Oh, I’ll bet Jack’s worked up about that.
Grizzly old codger sure is.I never want to be on the wrong side of that man.
Something tells me Dolly can handle Jack, and he’s more bluster than gruffness, even if he doesn’t want anyone to know.
