Page 82 of Back in the Saddle

‘Nothing’s wrong.’

‘Caroline … I might not have known you long, but I think I know you quite well by now. I can see something’s wrong.’

She huffed, taking a step back. ‘I wish I could say the same about knowing you.’

His hand slowly dropped. ‘What is that supposed to mean?’

‘You lied to me.’ Her tone was now a bitter whisper.

He looked at her, perplexed. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’

The Crocked Boot’s saloon door swung towards them as a group of four locals exited the bar, waving and tipping their hats to Hunter in a goodnight greeting. He nodded to each, not certain who they were. As soon as they stumbled far enough not to overhear their conversation, he looked at Caroline.

She shook her head. ‘Let’s not talk about this here,’ she said, as more people went past, accompanied by jolly laughter.

He stepped towards her and touched her elbow. ‘We can go to my place. I don’t think you should drive back tonight anyway.’ She opened her mouth but before she could protest, he hastily added, ‘We can leave your car here overnight; Zac won’t mind.’

She gave him a curt nod, turned on her heel and started walking briskly towards his house.

He followed her, trying to rack his brain and come up with an explanation as to what happened. When did he lie to her? He had no idea. Maybe Mitch or Meg had said something to her, and she’d misunderstood … Yes, that was probably it.

Feeling a bit calmer, he sped up and caught up with her outside the front door. ‘Do you want anything to drink?’ he asked, as they stepped inside.

Caroline shook her head fervently.

Hunter dropped his keys into a bowl by the door and flicked the light switch. He pursed his lips and reached inside the fridge door, taking a bottle of beer for himself. He popped it open and took a long swig.

She wasn’t even looking at him.

Cautiously, he left the kitchen and sat on the leather armchair in the corner. ‘Caroline. Talk to me. When did I lie to you?’

‘At the cabin. When I asked about your serious relationships. Not that I’m such an expert but I’d say that having been engaged is pretty serious.’

He felt like someone had kicked him in the abdomen,knocking all the air from his lungs. He took a deep breath, clutching the beer bottle harder in his right hand. ‘Who told you?’

‘Mitch.’

‘He had no right—’

‘He was worried about you. He thought—’ She broke off, and he looked at her, unsure which emotion he could see playing across her face. She shook her head. ‘He thought that you were falling for me, and he didn’t want to see your heart broken.Again.’ She put an emphasis on the last word.

Hunter swallowed hard, fighting the things he wanted to say. He was furious with Mitch.Why the hell would he tell her?! And why would he make it sound like he was developing feelings for her?

Because you are, dumbass.

He wanted to growl in annoyance. She couldn’t know how he felt. And because of that, he couldn’t tell her the real reason why he hadn’t said anything. This wasn’t what they’d agreed to.

‘Mitch is delusional,’ he rasped, taking a gulp of cold liquid.

Caroline raised an eyebrow at him, sitting down on the sofa with her arms crossed. ‘First, he’s your best friend, now he’s delusional?’

‘Being my best friend doesn’t stop him from being delusional. He sees things that aren’t real. And—’ He considered it for a moment. ‘He shouldn’t have told you. It isn’t his story to tell,’ he hissed.

Heavy breaths and pounding of his heart mixed, pulsating loudly in his ears. Feelings of annoyance and anger were fighting for the top spot in his mind. And then he was also trying to control his stomach as nausea threatened to overtake him.

‘Well, if youdidn’t lieto me then I wouldn’t have had to hear about it from Mitch!’ she snapped loudly, jumping to her feet.

Hunter winced. This was the first time he’d heard her raise her voice.