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I missed this so much.These last two weeks had given it back to me, and I’d rediscovered the joy I’d once felt.

And if I didn’t do something, I’d lose it all over again.

When I got to the creek, I dismounted, and stared across at the cabin.

You may be gone, Kevin, but you sure left a mess behind you.

It all came down to one thing. I wasn’t ready to let it—lethim—go.

I stroked Lightning’s neck. “What do I do, boy? Tell him he’s wrong? Because I don’t think his head is in the right place to accept that.”

There was nothing for it but to go back to California—after one last attempt to talk to him in the morning before I left.

I’m not giving up.

Saturday, June 25

I threw my bags into the trunk. “I guess this is it.” The atmosphere over breakfast had been distinctly frosty. My flight was the first to take off: Declan and Garrett wouldn’t be leaving until the afternoon. The way I was feeling, I was glad to be getting out of there.

Zeeb and Butch strolled out of the bunkhouse to join us.

“You going up to the house before you leave?” Teague asked.

I nodded. “I said I would.”And if Robert has slept well, he might be thinking more clearly.

He gestured to Butch. “Okay then. Butch will drive you up to the house, and when you’re done, he’ll take you to the airport. Forget about the shuttle.”

“You just want to make sure I get on that plane, don’t you?”

Zeeb huffed. “Actually? You’ve got it backward. I think the idea is to make sure Butch is available to bring you back in case you change your mind.”

That knot in my stomach tightened. “Not gonna happen. I have things to do back home.”

Except that was a fucking lie. Sean didn’t need me. He could run the club single-handed.

So why am I going back there?

I handed my hat to Paul. “Thanks for the loan.”

He smiled. “You look after those cowboy boots. And this isn’t goodbye. We’re going to see you again.”

I loved his conviction.

I got into the truck, but none of them waved me off. I didn’t blame them. They thought I’d broken their boss’s heart. Butch drove along the back road that led up to the house. “I’ll wait here,” he said as I got out.

I walked around the house to find Robert waiting for me on the front porch.

I wasn’t about to waste time. “Have you changed your mind?”

He shook his head. “No.”

I walked over to him. “This isnotover, okay? I don’t know when this will be resolved, but it’s not over.” I couldn’t help myself. I leaned in and kissed him on the lips. “Goodbye—for now,” I whispered. And before he had a chance to say anything else, I turned and walked back to the truck.

Butch glanced at me. “We still going to the airport?”

“Yes, we are.” There was only the slightest tremor in my voice.

He drove in silence, and I stared out of the window, my chest tight, feeling miserable. Could I have reacted differently? Possibly. All I knew was, I had to respect his wishes.