“I’ll try. The road runs both ways. You could venture to Sundance.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Her father was looking at her in a way she’d never seen before—with regret. “What?”
“People change, Georgie. Holdin’ a grudge ain’t no way to go through life.”
Was he talking about her forgiving Deck?
Maybe he’s taking about you forgiving him.
She inhaled a slow breath. “I’m listening.”
“Took me a while, but I’m finally starting to realize what anger cost me.”
“Who were you angry at?”
“God. For takin’ my boy away. I lost my faith.”
Robert Hotchkiss had always been a man of faith, not merely paying lip service to being a Christian. He’d tried to lead his life according to God’s rules and by example, expecting his family to follow suit. It hadn’t been the easiest way to grow up, but she hadn’t questioned it. Not until RJ had died. Although she’d veered away from the teachings of the church, she still didn’t judge those people who abided by the tenets of their religions, just as long as they didn’t try and push their beliefs on her.
So his response about losing his faith startled her—maybe that’s why her father had become so unrecognizable in the wake of RJ’s death. He’d had no one to turn to. So he’d turned on everyone.
“But the worst part?” he continued in a small voice. “Because of that anger, I also lost your mom. And you. I lost everything and everyone that mattered to me.” He looked down. “It ain’t right. And I don’t know what I can do to make it right.”
Neither do I.
“But I’m willing to do anything, Georgia.”
What did it mean that he wanted to try and make amends?
Her phone buzzed, reminding her of her next appointment. She said, “Dad, I have to go.”
“I understand. Thanks for makin’ my day. I…hate that it’s this way between us. I don’t know you as an adult, Georgie. That makes me sadder than anything in the world,” he said gruffly.
Completely at a loss, Georgia mumbled, “See you,” and practically ran out of the restaurant.
Tell’s week started out on a sour note and went downhill from there.
He hadn’t seen Georgia at all on Monday and when he called her, she sounded preoccupied, although she swore she was just tired.
Tuesday night was a wash. She’d invited him to her place after his dart game ended, but the way she’d gone on about how much fun she’d had with the new people she’d met and the old friends she’d reconnected with had brought out a jealous streak and he’d just gone home. Alone.
Wednesday night was Georgia’s girls’ night with Stephanie. And Leah and Roxanne. And a bunch of other women. Evidently she’d had a great time, a fact he’d heard Thursday morning from Ned. And even Dalton.
Weren’t you the one who encouraged her to cut loose? Have fun. Make friends. Get involved?
Yeah. Might make him paranoid, but now that Georgia had found a new crowd, maybe a cooler crowd, was she ditching him?
The niggling doubt was confirmed Thursday night when Tell tracked Georgia down at the Golden Boot—thirty minutes after they were supposed to meet for supper at Fields. He leaned against the wall and watched her as she chatted with the mayor, the superintendent of schools, the owner of the local real estate company, and the lawyer for a methane gas company.
All single men.
All gazing at Georgia with lust-filled eyes.
All dead men, as far as Tell was concerned.
But rather than storming over and hauling her ass out like he had before, he hung back. Just as he had in high school. Waiting for her to notice him.
You’re still a wannabe, McKay. Nothing has changed.
Bullshit. But tuning out that voice of doubt and reminding himself to act like a mature adult in this relationship didn’t spur his feet to move. He was stuck in hell, seeing Georgia laughing with these clowns, oblivious to the fact she’d missed their date.
Thirty minutes passed while he remained in the shadows, nursing a beer. Thirty long minutes in which he didn’t cross Georgia’s mind once because she’d made no effort to contact him.
Sobering and humbling.
He texted her.
I must’ve mixed up my nights. Thought we had a date at Fields. I’m tired and going home. Catch up with you later. T~
Maybe it was perverted, but he hung around to see her reaction.
Georgia fished out her cell from the pocket of her suit jacket and glanced at the screen. Guilt crossed her face and she swore. She immediately began punching buttons. Soon after his phone buzzed in his hand.
No, it was tonight. Sorry! I didn’t mean to stand you up. I got sidetracked. Are you still waiting at Fields?
Tell waited a solid five minutes before he responded.
No worries. We’ll go another night. Got a busy day tomorrow anyway. See you @ the Pine Haven Rodeo Saturday.
Georgia frowned and texted furiously, ignoring the men at the table.
I’m really sorry. Can I come out to your place and make you supper?
Probably made him a petty dick, but he just wanted to be mad at her.
No. I can’t text and drive, so I gotta go. See you.
Tell finished his beer. Wondering if Georgia would stay at the bar and drink with these guys or if she’d head home.
But he didn’t stick around to find out.
He dreamt of her that night. Dreamt of being back in high school. Dreamt of being invisible. Dreamt of gazing at her adoringly from the sidelines.
Georgia. Beautiful, perfect Georgia. His Georgia. Not the unattainable Georgia from the past.
He approached her in the lunchroom. But she wouldn’t deign to look in his direction or even speak to him.
He pulled her hair and called her name in history class, but she wouldn’t acknowledge him at all.
In the next dream frame, Georgia was surrounded by his cousins. Strong, strapping McKays. With those black Irish good looks. Rich men. Successful ranchers. Oozing confidence. Spreading charm.
When he wormed his way through the throng to get to her, he was roughly jerked back. Put in his place at the end of the line.
“She doesn’t want you,” Kade sneered.
“She never has, she never will,” Colby hissed.
“She’s too good for you,” Colt added.
“You ain’t man enough to handle her,” Ben warned.
“She’s using you, and you’re a loser who lets her,” Dalton said with derision.