When You Were Mine by Jackie Olson

Author:Jackie Olson [Olson, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2016-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

PART THREE

Colt didn’t sleep at all that night. He stayed downstairs on the couch. He could hear Jo above him, pacing the floor. He could hear when she cried. He wanted to go to her, but he couldn’t. Finally, he got up and got in the shower. Joelle had finally fallen asleep, and he didn’t wake her before he left. He drove into town. Ashlyn was coming to meet him.

He sat at a back table of the local diner. He and Ashlyn had come here almost every weekend when they were dating. He thought about how young and free they had been. He was still young, but he didn’t feel very free anymore.

“Colt.”

He looked up, and there she was. She looked just the same, if not more beautiful. He stood up as she fluttered into his arms. When they sat down, she reached across the table and held his hand.

“I’ve missed you,” she said. “I heard you got married.”

“I did,” he replied with a sad smile.

“I’m happy for you. I mean that,” she told him.

He nodded slowly. “I know you do.”

“Do you love her?” she asked.

Did he?

He knew he had been falling for her more every day. It hadn’t been his plan. But it had happened just the same.

“Love is hard,” he said.

“It’s not,” she replied. “Not everyone runs from love, Colt. Not everyone is as big a fool as I am.” She squeezed his hand and then let it go. She shuffled around in her purse and then pulled out an envelope. She slid it across the table.

“This should take care of things,” she told him.

“I’ll pay you back, I swear.”

“I know,” she said softly. “I am just glad I could help. I love that ranch. And your daddy would be real proud of you.”

“Would he?”

“Believe me, he would. You’ve built a nice life for yourself. You should let yourself enjoy it.”

He smiled at her across the table. “Maybe you’re right. It meant a lot to see you, but I should go.” He stood up, sliding the envelope into his pocket. He came to the table, bent down and kissed the top of her head. “Thank you.”

She nodded, reaching up and taking his hand one more time. She held it for a moment and then let him go for good.

***

Colt had been gone all day. It was getting late, and Joelle was drained. She had packed a bag, and she planned on leaving in the morning. Her heart restricted at the thought. Despite her best efforts, she was falling for him. But the truth was out now, and he didn’t want her anymore.

“Hi.” Colt appeared in the doorway. “I want you to take a ride with me.”

She didn’t question him. She just got up and followed him outside. It was cold, and she shivered slightly. The world was dark, not even the moon was out as they headed for the barn. One of the horses was out, already saddled.

They rode for a long time without speaking. She felt like they were the only people left in the world.

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