Page 5 of Not Over You (Prosperity Ranch 3)

Knox looked over to see her standing at the end of the hall, arms folded, as she leaned against the wall.

She’d always been beautiful, but it seemed wrong to appreciate it any longer. So much time had passed, so many hurtful words, and even more hurtful feelings… She was no longer his to notice such things as her dark hair tumbling over her shoulders, the soft pink of her cheeks…

“Yeah,” he said. “Ruby went out quick.”

Macie’s smile was gentle, and Knox pushed away that pang in his chest.

He walked down the hall, nearing her before he paused. “I got her a few presents. I’m sorry again for missing her birthday.”

He’d seen the hurt expression on Macie’s face plenty of times in the past, but not today. Her face remained relaxed, her gaze understanding. “I’m glad you came today, Knox. Ruby was so excited, and when she wakes up, she’ll probably demand to call you.”

Knox smiled at this. “She’s got my number, sugar.” He nearly bit his tongue at the old endearment he used to call Macie.

But she let it slide, thank goodness.

“Well, I should be going,” he said. “Lots to prepare for.” He moved past her. Macie didn’t step away from the wall, but watched him leave.

Once on the porch, he retrieved his cowboy hat from the porch swing.

He strode down the driveway to where he’d parked his beat-up truck in the shade. Was Macie watching him leave? Was Holt, from wherever he was in the barn?

If only Knox had kept his head screwed on straight that night he’d met Macie. She’d been talking to Holt first, but when Knox approached, he was seething at Jana’s rejection. Once again. So he’d asked Macie to the dirt dance, if only to show Jana that he wasn’t sitting around waiting for an apology.

And now, his entire life had become one apology after another.