Page 153 of Tempting Wyatt

My mom enters the workshop with what looks like several sheets of rolled-up paper in her hand.

“Not only that, but she’s having the production company pay us to train the actors and familiarize them with horses and ranch life. They’re paying even more to film some of it here. It’s done, Wyatt. I signed this morning, and Ivy already wired her advance over to the ranch account.”

My head and heart go to war. My Hollywood angel, trying to save everyone. But why not talk to me first?

I stare hard at my mom and brother. “How hard would it have been to discuss this with me?”

Isaac makes a pointed gesture toward my bloody knuckles. “Because you’re handling it so well now.”

Ironically enough, we talked about this—Ivy and me—when she was discussing her screenplay. The importance of not having some meaningless, contrived miscommunication that resulted in a third-act breakup that could’ve easily been avoided with an adult conversation.

And yet here we are.

Because I was too afraid to ask her to stay, because I used the first flaw I found as a reason to let her go.

Fuck me.

Isaac is right. I chickened out. My dad would be so disappointed. Hell, I’m disappointed.

My mom clears her throat. “Give us a minute, Isaac.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He tips his hat and deserts me.

Once he’s gone, I lean on the workbench beside us, bracing my hands and ignoring my knuckles screaming in pain. It’s nothing compared to what’s happening in my chest.

“Son,” my mom says gently, “I owe you an apology. And I promise, I’ll respect whatever you decide. But you need to hear me out.”

I meet her worry-filled gaze. “You don’t owe me anything. I just. . . ”

“I do.” Her smile is sad and never reaches her eyes. “You’re a good man, Wyatt. And in a lot of ways, so much like your father. I know you’d give up your entire life for this ranch.”

Swallowing thickly, I nod. “This ranch, our family, this legacy—itismy life.”

Her shoulders sag. “Mine too, sweetheart. But it shouldn’t be yourentirelife. You deserve love. You deserve what your father and I had.” She sniffs softly. “If we lost this ranch, it would be heartbreaking. But nothing would be as heartbreaking as watching you fill the void that losing her left you with by working yourself to death.”

My head spins. I clench my fists, trying to find my footing. Take a few deep breaths to calm my racing heart.

“I didn’t lose her. I never had her.”

My mom just stares at me. Waiting. No judgment, just patience and understanding. Something Ivy pointed out I needed more of myself.

I toss my hands up in frustration. “It wastwo weeks. How did she do this to me intwo weeks?”

At that, she laughs. “When you know, you know, son.Your father told me he was going to marry me the day I met him. I thought he was crazy. But I wouldn’t trade a single second of our life together for anything. Definitely not for pride. Or fear.”

It’s getting harder to breathe. “I can’t just?—”

“It goes by in a blink,” she breaks in, tears filling her eyes as she drops her gaze to her wedding ring. “It’s a blink, son—our time in this world, our time together.” She places a hand on my arm. “She made a mistake, not talking to you first. We made a mistake, asking her not to. You ever make a mistake, Wyatt? More importantly, do you really want to spend the rest of your life without her?”

I really fucking don’t. Not even a little bit. Falling asleep without her in my arms tonight will be torture. Waking up without her tomorrow will be hell. Every second I stand here, Ivy is getting farther from me, farther from where she belongs. Feels like she’s dragging my heart behind her car.

“What if she doesn’t want to give up her life in California for this? What if she doesn’t want to live here with me? Doesn’t want this life?”

Hell, she’s never experienced a Montana winter. Might send her running for the hills. Literally.

She hands me the papers she’s holding. “Willow highlighted some parts she thought you might need to see, to understand.”

I glance down at them, knowing I’ll never have time to read the entire thing. But I probably will anyways. My eyes land on one line, highlighted in neon pink.