Snowed In at Sleigh Ride Ranch by Penrod Erica

Author:Penrod, Erica
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Front Porch Publishing
Published: 2023-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

I left Wyoming Sunday morning, staring in my rearview mirror until the ranch was out of sight. Derek had managed to avoid me completely, and driving away without clearing things up between us left an empty feeling in my chest.

Thoughts about Derek occupied mile after mile of my drive home, taking brief rest stops as I contemplated what needed to be done next with the painting. I hoped the distance between my hometown and Wyoming, supplicated with Derek’s absence since he’d ridden off into the afternoon like a phantom never to appear again, would be enough for me to organize my thoughts.

Derek and I were a bad idea. I mean, our timing was all off. We’d managed to sync up for one date, and then it’d all fallen apart. There was no reason to believe he’d chase me down on the highway just to say goodbye. And yet I expected to see him in my rearview until I crossed state lines.

Once I was in Utah, breathing in the crisp desert air and knowing a state line lay between the two of us, I switched my thoughts from wishing I could see him to hoping I didn’t.

My life here was good. I had a great job with a top dentist who valued my contributions to the workplace. I supported myself and had a sweet little apartment where I watched all the romcoms my heart desired. My horse was always ready for a ride, and there were enough barrel races to keep me too busy to think about Derek what’s-his-name.

Speaking of him, it was time to prioritize my to-do list and remember why Derek wasn’t a good idea.

Remember when you were on a date with him, and he took the call from Veronica?

Remember how this mural is a chance to get your name out in the world as an artist?

Remember how you vowed to never give up your dreams again for a guy?

By the time I pulled into my parents’ drive, my head hurt and my chest tightened with each breath as I tried not to think about Derek and how I’d wished I’d seen him before I’d left for home. The whole “forgetting him” thing got harder and harder.

I should have sought him out. He probably would’ve raised a brow and shot me a dagger with his glare, which I could’ve used on my way home as one more reason not to like the guy. I’ll confess, I imagined him riding in on his gorgeous buckskin horse as I was getting in my car, apologizing for his bad behavior and giving me one of those smiles that made my toes tingle. “Can’t wait to see you next week,” he would have said, and I would have swooned into my car and floated home, already counting the minutes until I was back on the road.

Look what happened when my imagination was left to its own devices.

Knowing my sister was home for the weekend, I’d went straight to my parents’ house, bypassing my apartment.

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