“Nah, I can’t leave. Still have a few more rehab sessions, and then I want to get to work on the ranch. It’s killing me. I feel useless.”
My father’s expression changed as he stared at Walker. He cocked his head at me. I could see it in his eyes. He felt sorry for me.
“I’m going to head on back. Want to ride with me, sweetheart?” My father asked.
I shook my head and was about to say no when Walker said, “Go on ahead, Liza. Spend some time with your daddy.”
My heart dropped and I balled my fists up tight. “I need to talk to Walker, Daddy.”
My father nodded, climbed up on his horse, and took off. I took a few deep breaths and stood a little taller, deciding I would give Walker what he wanted: space.
I turned to him. “I um…I think I’m going to head out of town for a bit.”
Walker frowned. He looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped.
“I have a friend from college who’s staying at her grandparents’ place in Destin, Florida. She’s been bugging me to visit. I think I’ll take her up on the offer.”
“You’re leaving?”
My jaw trembled. “Isn’t that what you want? Time away from me?”
He shook his head and, again, refrained from speaking.
Fine. If this is how he wants to do this. This is how we will do this.
I walked toward his truck and looked over my shoulder. “Do you mind giving me a ride up to the house?”
He ran his hand through that messy hair of his, and I wanted more than anything to run my hands through it. “Liza, please don’t think…”
I spun around. “Don’t you dare try to make this better now. Do you know when the last time you kissed me was? Do you have any idea?”
He nodded. “The morning of the accident.”
My jaw dropped. I wasn’t sure if it was his remembering that surprised me, or the tears in his eyes.
“You’ve done a damn good job of pushing me away, Walker. You’re getting what you wanted.”
I opened the passenger side door and jumped in, slamming the door shut and staring straight ahead as I spun my ring on my finger. Walker got in the truck and headed for my house.
WALKER PULLED UP to my house and parked. I opened the door and started to get out.
“Liza?”
I turned around. “Yeah?”
“I love you.”
I gave him a weak smile. “I love you, too, Walker. Call me when you’re ready to move on with life.”
Shutting the door, I walked up the stairs to our front porch. Somehow I managed not to cry. I pushed the door open, but looked back to see Walker still sitting there, watching me. I lifted my hand and he lifted his. When I shut the door behind me, I leaned against it, sliding down to the floor as I let the sobs take over my body.
I SAT ON Lindsey’s front porch wrapped up in a blanket. All I could do was stare out over the water. I’d been in Florida for almost two weeks. Walker had called a few times, but I’d only talked to him once. He wanted space. I was giving it to him.
Lindsey handed me a cup of hot chocolate. “Did you tell your folks about the job?”
I smiled as I took the mug from her. Llano School District had called to offer me a position as a first grade teacher. I was beyond thrilled. The current teacher was leaving after this semester to stay home with her baby, due in January.
I shook my head. “Nope, not yet. I was going to tell them when I get back home.” I continued watching the water.
Lindsey sat down next to me sighed. “You should call him.”
I glanced at my phone. “I talked to his mother earlier. She said he’s been acting strange. And I know what’s wrong—he’s afraid to get back on a horse. It’s gutting him.”
“Shit, I’d be afraid, too, if I woke up to hear that there was a chance I might not walk again. I mean, his whole life is that ranch. Can you imagine, though, your job relying on you doing something almost every day that you were afraid to do?”
I turned to her and nodded. “I don’t think he’s talked to anyone about it. Courtney, his mom, just said he’s avoiding everyone. He’s been focusing on building something, but she didn’t say what.”
Lindsey blew over her coffee mug, peeked at me, and said, “Maybe he needs someone to guide him.”
Glancing back out over the water, I whispered, “He pushed me away. He doesn’t want my help.”
“He loves you more than life itself, Liza. He’s afraid of losing everything.”
“He could never lose me.”
She chuckled. “He’s halfway there.”
I gave her a look. “What does that mean?”
“You ran away, just like he did,” Lindsey said. “The moment things get tough, Liza, you can’t just up and leave. You’ve gotten so damn good at pushing each other away that you don’t realize how much you hurt each other in the process. Do you love him?”
I swallowed and wiped a tear that had escaped from my eye. “I love him more than anything.”
She smiled. “Then why are you here, when he needs you there?”
I pushed off the blanket and reached for my phone, quickly texting my parents.
Me: I’m heading home today.
Dad: It’s about damn time.
I smiled when I read my father’s reply.
Mom: I’m glad, sweetheart. He needs you, even if he doesn’t act like it.
Why my parents insisted on letting me learn the lessons of life on my own was beyond me. Sometimes I just wanted someone to tell me things. Like, “Stop being an ass and stay here by his side.”
I smiled at Lindsey. “I’m going to go get the love of my life back.”
She raised her mug and said, “That’s my girl. Go pack. I’ll take you to the airport.”
I practically ran into the house and up the stairs. Fifteen minutes later, I was packed and ready to go.
I BOARDED THE plane and found my seat. When I went to turn off my phone, a text came through.
Walker: I miss you. I’m so sorry I pushed you away.
My heart beat harder. I twisted the ring around on my finger and chewed on my lip. I just needed to get back home. I needed to be in his arms.
Me: I’m sorry I walked away. I love you, Walker.
Walker: God, baby, I love you so much. Come back to me.
Me: I need you so much.
I took a picture through the window of the plane and hit send.
Me: I’m sitting on the plane right now.
Walker: I’m headed to the airport now.