She drew her knees up, wrapping her arms around them. Cold seeped into her limbs. Now she was truly alone. This felt different than any alone she’d been before. Numbness began in her chest and slowly spread through her body.
She couldn’t face Ethan. No way could she dwell on Cash. Picking up her phone with unfeeling fingers, she dialed each of her bosses at work, leaving the same message on their voicemail. “Hi, this is Dallas. I’m so sorry, but I’m sick. I won’t be able to come in tomorrow.” Then she lay down, curling in on herself. Change was coming to her life. That much was obvious. But not right now. She clutched her stomach harder. Not tonight.
MONDAY MORNING, CASH yanked on a strand of barbed wire and glanced at his father who stood a few feet away. They’d been mending fence all morning and Cash wanted to bring up Dallas. His dad knew he was seeing her, but Cash hadn’t told him that he broke up with her. Instead of missing her less or getting over her, he was a bigger mess now than he’d ever been. “Dad?”
His father looked up from the kinks he was making in the second, sagging strand of wire. “Yeah?”
“Remember I told you about Dallas?”
“Yep, pretty thing. Has a daughter.”
“Well, there’s something I didn’t tell you.” He explained about Ethan. Then Cash told him how he got jealous and broke it off with her.
His dad tested the wire, which was now tight, and turned back to Cash. “Son, seems you’re bringing this up for a reason. What is it?”
Cash stared at a small prickly pear growing in the fence line and kicked it loose from the soil with his boot. “I was miserable because she dated that other guy. I didn’t know missing her would be so much worse.”
His dad stuck his hands on his hips, chewing the corner of his mouth as he looked Cash up and down. “Do you love her?”
He met his father’s gaze and said in a strong voice, “Yes, I do.”
His dad shook his head, “Well, damn, boy, I didn’t raise you to be a quitter. What the hell are you doing standing here? Go fight for her.”
A jolt of excitement hit Cash, replacing the sense of helplessness he felt the past couple of weeks. He thought of nothing but Dallas as he and his father gathered their tools and headed for the truck.
MONDAY MORNING, DALLAS woke chilled and empty and slightly hungover. She’d fallen asleep in an awkward position and her neck had a kink in it. Groaning, she sat up and went into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee and a piece of toast.
Despite feeling lousy, her mind was clear. Last night, she passed through the fog of recrimination and depression that had crushed her in its grip. Late-morning sun shone through the window as she returned to the couch. She came to a decision. Cash may have turned his back on her, but she wouldn’t give up on him. Not without reaching out one more time. Losing Cash had ultimately been her fault. Maybe there was a chance she could make things right again.
The hot coffee warmed her insides as the toast soothed her raw-feeling stomach. She ached to see Cash, to feel his arms around her, to hear his deep voice. She lost him without realizing the great treasure she had. That was the saddest part—what broke her heart. He handed her his soul, and she didn’t value it for the exquisite gift it was.
Picking up her phone, she paused, took a slow breath for courage, and texted Cash:
If I call you, will you answer?
Immediately, he sent back:
Yes! I was going to call. I want to see you tonight.
Grinning, fingers trembling with excitement, she typed:
I’m off today if you want to come over before then.
He shot back:
Give me two hours. I’ll be there.
She couldn’t stop smiling. Every nerve in her body tingled. Cash would be walking through her door soon. God had answered her prayers.
After showering, she made herself pretty then tidied the house. By the time two hours had passed, she was checking her phone every couple of minutes, wondering where Cash was. How should she react when he arrived? She wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him until she ran out of breath. But after what happened, she couldn’t. Or, could she?
A brisk knock sounded at her door. Pulse thrumming in anticipation, she smoothed her sundress, grabbed the handle, and pulled it open. Her heart tumbled in her chest. She caught a quick glimpse of Cash, straw Stetson pulled low on his forehead, before he crushed her to him.
His familiar scent overwhelmed her. His arms were like bands of iron. She felt small and fragile and protected.
He stepped back and looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t answer your calls.”
Shaking her head vigorously, she said, “No, I’m sorry. For everything.” She led him to the couch and held his hands as they sat down. “I’d already decided I wanted to marry you. How could I not? And I tried to back out of going to New York. Ethan got angry and was insistent I go. I was afraid it would affect my job if I didn’t, so I agreed. I thought I had to do that one thing, since I promised, and then I could tell him I chose you, and it would all be over.” She squeezed his hands, her eyes imploring. “I’m so sorry I hurt you. I was only thinking of myself. You’re more important than my job, Cash. I should have realized that and told Ethan no and stuck to it.”
Rubbing her forehead, she said. “My job wasn’t in jeopardy. Ethan had
