“Like the five minutes you gave me?” she shot back. “Go away, Garrett. We have nothing to say to each other.”
“I have plenty to say, starting with I’m sorry I hurt you,” he said softly as he approached her.
Riley stopped petting the horse and gripped the stall door. Tears gathered in her eyes as she regained her composure. “Thanks for the apology.”
“I mean it, Riley. As soon as I left you at the cabin, I regretted every word I said. I turned the truck around, but you were already gone. The cabin doesn’t feel the same without you,” Garrett informed her. “I don’t expect you tocome back. I’m asking if you’ll give me a chance to make things right.”
She whipped her head around to stare at him as she brushed the tears from her eyes. “I told you why I didn’t give my virginity to one of the cowboys on the ranch. We work here together. I don’t sleep with people I’m forced to work with,” she said angrily.
“Riley,” Garrett implored, slowly walking toward her like he would a startled animal.
“Don’t, Garrett,” she said, holding out her hand to stop him.
He took her hand and walked closer. “When will you get this cast off? I saw you riding out in the field. You’re incredible. I’m concerned you might lose your grasp and injure yourself. Will you let me at least take you to the doctor?”
“No. I don’t want you or your precious money,” Riley said, attempting to grab her crutches.
Garrett picked her up, hauling her over his shoulder.
“Put me down, you imbecile,” she yelled, beating on his back.
Sitting on a bale of straw, Garrett turned her on his lap. “Listen, I know you’re upset. Word has it you’re working yourself to death. I know you’re angry with me, but I’m worried about you.”
“You have no reason to feel concerned. You booted me out of your cabin like a piece of trash,” she sniffled. “I’ll pay you back as soon as I can. I won’t get paid until next week, and Amy offered Tara and me a job on the weekends at her farm stand. I’ll send over the first payment with Matthew or Julio.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” he insisted. “You and Tara made meals and did laundry, amongst other stuff. The rest of it, I gifted you.”
She shook her head. “No. I made up stories to make you buy it.”
Garrett ran his hand through his beard. “I said it and deserve your wrath. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but will you at least consider keeping two things? Tara needs her computer for school. I gave it to her with no strings attached.” Garrett brushed her cheek. “You need your hat. Your face will get red from the wind.”
Riley stubbornly raised her chin. “I’ll buy my own. There’s a charity store with loads of them.”
“Did I ruin the memory of your mom and how excited you felt when I gave you the other one?” he asked softly. “It’s yours, Riley. Just as I am. I said some horrible things, and I’m trying to make it right.”
A single tear ran down her cheek. “I trusted you, Garrett. You’re the first man I ever wanted to…you know. You took the memory and crushed it. I’m not so naive to believe we’d have a happily ever after, but I thought you cared. Mom said, anger can be more destructive than a sword. I feel like you cut me in half.”
“I know, Baby Girl,” he agreed. “I ran into Kenny. He seems to know a lot about you. The man claimed you convinced a customer to buy you the necklace Tara wore. It ate at me to think of you doing this with other men. The green-eyed monster got me. Everything he said carried some truth to it, and it ate at my gut.”
“Please don’t call me that,” she said, pushing off him. He made no move to hold her down, knowing she’d only fight. “I can’t do this right now. You gave your explanation, and I’ll accept your apology, but it doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt me.”
Garrett sighed. “What can I do to make you feel better?”
Riley hung her head. “I don’t know if I can unhear those ugly words coming from you. Please give me time.”
“I’ll do whatever you want,” he vowed. “Will you at least take the hat and the computer?”
“I’ll give Tara the computer. After all, I added it to the IOU,” she said begrudgingly.
“You also added the hat,” he reminded her. “Why don’t you consider it a rental until you get a new one?”
“Fine,” she murmured. “I want to make it clear. You invited us to your cabin. We didn’t have ulterior motives. I think it’s best if you keep your distance.”
“I understand,” he said. “I’ll put the computer and your hat in your truck. In the meantime, please be careful. Kenny and his men still have their eyes on you. I went to convince him to leave. He’s up to something.”
“I’ll be careful,” she assured him. “And Garrett?”
“Yeah?” he said, turning back to her.
