“I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
He started to ask if she was pissed but he didn’t. She probably was, but damn it, this was his career, such as it was. If his family understood, why couldn’t she?
*
Ella had givenit two weeks. Two weeks after the rodeo when his gig with Kelly Boots took up most of his time. Two weeks during which Chase was back at the ranch a total of two days. Ella wasn’t totally shocked. She’d known what it would be like to date a rodeo cowboy. She’d done it before, and while Chase wasn’t a cheater like Phil had been, he was a rodeo cowboy and as such had a lot of obligations. When you threw in his work with Kelly Boots, he was never around.
After all, she’d worried from the beginning that she and Chase weren’t going to work out. But knowing it and breaking up with him were two different things. It wasn’t as if Chase had done anything wrong. No, he was doing his job and loving his job. That shouldn’t have been a problem for her. Except it was.
She loved Chase. More than she’d realized at first, more than she’d wanted to admit. But she couldn’t compete with the rodeo. She wished she was a different kind of woman. She was plenty independent. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was she wanted a man to share her life with, a man who would work side by side with her. Or at least a man she saw more than twice a month. Unfortunately, that didn’t describe a rodeo man.
She’d agonized over her decision, particularly for the last two weeks. It wasn’t as if she’d never thought about it prior to that rodeo. She’d just been hoping she was wrong. Hoping she could depend on Chase. But Damaris’s accident had blown any hope she’d had into a million tiny pieces. If he couldn’t even come home when his sister was injured and Marshall needed his help—regardless of the fact they’d told him exactly what he wanted to hear—then why would she be any different?
She wouldn’t.
They hadn’t discussed marriage, or living together. Even though they’d admitted they loved each other, their future had never been part of the discussion. Considering what she was about to do that was probably a good thing.
Chase was due home in a few hours. She didn’t think he would like what she had to tell him. She didn’t like it either. In fact, she hated it. But she didn’t see another way out. Better now than waiting until they were even more involved. Until she’d fallen even more in love with him. If that was even possible.
Ella was in a stall with one of the horses when she heard Chase’s voice. “Ella? Where are you?”
“In here,” she called. Giving Farley, one of the geldings, a last pat, she walked out of the stall just as Chase caught up to her.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her senseless. She wanted to resist. Instead she melted. After a long, lingering kiss, he turned her loose. One hand holding her upper arm, he looked at her with concern in his eyes. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she said, but turned away. “Have you seen Damaris?”
“Not yet. I wanted to see you first. I was a little surprised she wasn’t with the horses.”
“The doctor won’t let her for another few days. Even then she’ll have to take it easy.”
“And Damaris listened?” he asked incredulously.
“She had no choice. No one, from Marshall or me to Ruthie or even the hands, would let her. Your parents have been calling daily to check on her and I think your other brother and sister have too.”
“Why do I sense disapproval?”
“I’d have thought you’d at least call about her too.”
“Who says I haven’t?”
“Oh. No one mentioned it.”
“Why would they?”
He had her there. After all, why would anyone mention something that was none of her business? She abandoned that line of discussion. She was doing her best to be mad at him, rather than despondent over what she needed to do. “Why don’t you come to the cottage after you see Damaris and I’ll fix dinner for us?”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to go to any trouble.”
“I’ve got a frozen casserole I thawed out. Is that okay?”
“Sure.” He put his fingers beneath her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “What’s wrong, Ella?”
“Nothing,” she lied. “I’ll see you in a little while.”
“All right. I’ll talk to Damaris and then come over.” He leaned down to kiss her again but she turned her head so he got her cheek. He didn’t say anything but the look he gave her said he knew something was up.
Ella spent the next forty-five minutes questioning her decision. It seemed stupid to break up with a man who loved her, especially when she loved him too.But he loves the rodeo more.And she didn’t blame him for that. It was in his blood. And he was good at it. Extremely good. Twice World Champion in saddle bronc riding was a distinction that few earned. Why would he quit now, at the height of his career? He hadn’t let injury sideline him for any longer than he’d had to. Ella had no right to expect to sideline him now because she wasn’t cut out to be involved with a rodeo cowboy.
