Page 23

CHAPTER 23

NOVA

D ressed in a navy-blue dress and heels I somehow—thankfully—know how to walk in, I make my way up the porch steps and into the main house. Ruth is standing at the counter, her back to me, staring out the kitchen window.

“You look beautiful,” I say as I walk into the kitchen.

She turns toward me, eyes misty, and smiles before running her hands over the front of her floral dress. “You’re too kind. And quite the image yourself, if I do say so.”

“Thanks.” I return her smile and walk over to stand beside her. “You okay?”

“I’m just trying to figure out how I’ll keep from crying at the ceremony when I can’t keep from blubbering right now.”

I wrap my arm around her shoulders, and she leans against me. Over the past month that I’ve been staying on the ranch, we’ve grown quite close, and I like to imagine that my own mother was just like Ruth Hunt. Warm and welcoming. Maybe I’ll remember one day. “You’re the mother of the groom. You’re allowed to cry.”

She sniffles and dabs at her eyes with tissues. “I’m so happy for Bradyn and Kennedy. She’s so lovely, and they’re going to be a wonderful family. But?—”

“It’s still a goodbye,” I finish. “I get it.”

She smiles up at me. “You are such a sweet girl too.” Reaching up, she gently cups my cheek. “Would you like some coffee? I’ll be heading over to Bradyn’s to help Kennedy and her mother soon, but I can make a pot before I go.”

“No, that’s okay. I can make some if you don’t mind.” Elliot was already gone when I got up this morning, and since sitting around his house was making me depressed over the fact that Brett is taking me back to Dallas tomorrow, I’d needed to get out.

“Not at all. Help yourself, sweetheart.” She starts toward the door then turns. “I hope you know that you’re welcome to stay here on the ranch as long as you want. You don’t have to leave tomorrow.”

I swallow hard, emotion burning in my throat. “I know, thank you.”

She smiles again. Only this time, I see something hidden behind it. “You’re more than welcome. I’ll see you soon.”

“See you soon.”

She leaves the house, and I start the coffee pot, breathing deeply as the scent of freshly brewed coffee fills my lungs. I close my eyes and try to stay focused on what matters about today.

Bradyn and Kennedy.

Not me, my forgotten past, the fact that Brett is making me leave tomorrow…and especially not the feelings I have for a handsome cowboy I have no business wanting.

We hardly spoke after he left the house yesterday. I’d fallen asleep on the couch, waiting for him, and woken up covered in a cream-colored blanket. Whether it was him or Lani who did it, I’m not sure.

He was so tense yesterday, and the moment Brett walked in the door, Elliot’s mood went downhill fast. It’s honestly something I get. Truthfully, I don’t care to be around Brett much either. Which, of course, is horrible, given I’m apparently supposed to be marrying him.

I look down at my bare ring finger, trying to imagine what it would look like to wear that ring. It just doesn’t feel right. None of it feels right. The pictures he shows me, the videos taken of us on trips…it all feels like someone else’s life.

Not mine.

This ranch. The quiet. The Hunt family. They feel real.

Brett believes that, by going back to our normal life, my memories might be jogged. It’s the only reason I agreed to go. Because leaving this place feels an awful lot like leaving my home.

I’m only glad he’s not coming tonight.

It’ll give me one more chance to say goodbye to everyone.

Elliot’s handsome face swims into view. Gorgeous hazel eyes that chased away my fear from the moment I first saw him.

Tears burn in my throat. How am I supposed to say goodbye? How am I supposed to let go when it feels as though my heart might be ripped right out of my chest?

I reach up and touch the silver cross around my neck, letting my fingers trace the cool metal. “Lord, I need Your strength right now. I need Your help. Please.” A tear slips down my cheek, and I quickly wipe it away.

Tonight, I’ll be happy. I’ll enjoy myself, celebrating people who I’ve come to care for.

Tomorrow is the time for tears.

* * *

Lani offers me a bottle of water then turns to survey the dance floor. Her obsidian hair, which was pinned to perfection an hour ago, is now down around her shoulders. “Whew! That was fun.” She beams at me. “Are you going to dance?”

“I don’t even know if I can.”

She waves her hand in dismissal. “Everyone can dance if they have the right partner.”

“While I appreciate your faith in me, I’m going to save everyone here the trouble. Just in case.”

She rolls her eyes.

“You know, Sheriff Lawson has been by this table at least half a dozen times in the last thirty minutes.”

She perks up. “Really?”

“At least,” I tell her. “And I noticed more than once that his gaze found you across the dance floor and he looked rather frustrated you weren’t here.”

Her smile becomes radiant, and she sets her bottle of water down. “Well, I think I should go let the man offer me a dance.”

“I think that would be kind of you.” Watching as she heads through the crowd, I can’t help but appreciate what a beautiful ceremony it was.

Blooming flowers all around, a soft breeze chasing away any stagnant heat. It was truly stunning. The kind of wedding anyone would be lucky to have. The reception has been just as lovely. Great food, music, dancing. A perfect evening.

My gaze lands on Elliot.

He’s avoided me all night with his gaze barely passing over me as he walked Lani down the aisle as best man and maid of honor. And now he’s across the floor, talking to his father and Pastor Ford, who oversaw the ceremony.

Maybe I should just go.

Before I can act on that thought though, Riley stops in front of me, a wide grin on his handsome face. “You look like you need to dance.”

I laugh. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I could be a terrible dancer.”

“It’s a good thing that I’m impeccable on my feet then.” He reaches out.

“Are you sure you know what you’re risking? Broken toes are a hazard.”

“Worth it.” He smiles and tugs me to my feet when I slip my hand into his. He guides me onto the floor and takes my hand with one then places his other hand on my hip. We start moving to an upbeat country song, and he leads me, guiding my every step. “See? Natural.”

“I guess it’s better than I thought it would be.”

He chuckles then pushes me out and spins me, bringing me back in. “Are you having an okay night?”

“Oh yeah. The ceremony was beautiful.”

“It was,” he agrees. “I may not be much for weddings, but this one was quite perfect.”

I arch a brow. “Not much for weddings?”

“Nope.”

“Really? You seem like such a romantic. Your dog is named Romeo, after all.”

He laughs. “I have a no-settle-down policy. And it’s one I intend to stick to.”

Given what I know about the Hunt brothers, it’s seriously surprising. Especially since they literally come from two people so in love that, even though they’ve been married forty years, I can still see the same affection on their faces as was on Bradyn and Kennedy’s tonight.

“Well, maybe one day you’ll change your mind.”

He grins and spins me again, bringing me back in. “So I hear you’re heading back to Dallas tomorrow?”

I take a deep breath, feeling that pit in my stomach grow. “Uh, yeah. Brett thinks it’ll be good for my memory.”

“Does he.” The tone of his voice catches my attention more than the words.

“He does,” I say. “Why? You don’t agree?”

Riley shrugs. “I want to know what you want to do.”

“I want my memories back. I want to remember everything so I can—” I trail off.

“So you can what?”

“Make my own decisions.” I force a smile. “There’s a lot that feels out of my control right now. Like another person backed me into a corner, and now I have to decide if I want to stay in it or leave.”

Riley nods. “No one can force you to stay in a situation you don’t want to be in. If it’s not right, it’s not right.” He spins me again, and the song ends. His gaze lifts to someone past my shoulder, and he grins. “And speaking of right. Look who is right on time. I’ll see you soon.” He leaves me, heading off the dance floor.

I start to follow, confused by what he means, but a man clears his throat behind me. “Care to dance?” Elliot’s voice washes over me, and my heart flutters. Like, stupid love-story flutters.

I turn toward him and raise my gaze to meet his. “Sure, since Riley took one for the team and we now know I don’t have two left feet.”

Elliot smirks and takes my hand in his good hand then places the other on my hip. The hold is light, but the weight of his touch pins me in this moment. And I never want to leave. “It’s a good thing I don’t either.”

A slow song begins to play, a smooth love song that has my pulse beating faster. We start moving, and with Elliot so close, I can’t think straight. He’s everywhere, in my mind, my heart, a steady reminder that I really, really don’t want to walk away.

Even though I feel like I have to.

“You look beautiful,” Elliot says. “I wanted to tell you that earlier but haven’t had the chance.”

My stomach flips. What is wrong with me? “Thanks. You clean up quite nicely yourself.”

He grins, and I practically melt right here. A puddle on the dance floor. I move in a bit closer, wanting so badly to just stay right here in his arms. Maybe it would all just fade away if he held me.

The dilemma.

The guilt.

Because even though I’m supposed to marry Brett, Elliot is who I wake up thinking of. It’s his face on my mind as I fall asleep.

Tears burn in my eyes, so I let myself rest my cheek against his chest, the steady beat of his heart music to my ears.