AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She smiled at him. It lit up the already-bright morning.
Without warning, her smile dropped. “There’s a but …” She jerked her hands free and backed into the bedroom. “I’m so sorry. I got caught up in the moment and you and ...” She rubbed at her forehead. “I forgot about your girl. Lily. She’s here. In Coleville. Right? I’m so sorry. And …” Her face tightened and her eyes filled with frustration. “You should be more sorry.” She slammed the door in his face.
Miles studied the door. She was right. He should be more sorry. He was the one with a long-time commitment he hadn’t been able to rescind. He lost his mind around Eva, and he’d never acted like that before. It wasn’t fair to her or Lily.
He scrubbed at his chin. He was making a mess of all of this. It wasn’t like they taught relationship classes in BUD/S, so how was he supposed to navigate this type of troubled water? Somehow, today, he had to find Lily and end the relationship once and for all. It would hurt, but it would be for the best in the long run.
As soon as it was finished, and he helped Lily however he could, Miles would storm up to Eva and proclaim his freedom and his intentions toward her. He would cup her face, kiss her for a very long time, and talk everything out.
Miles groaned and leaned against the wall. In a perfect world, that was what would happen. In his world, he feared the ending would be more doors slammed in his face.
Chapter
Ten
Eva kept a practiced smile on her face and fought her darndest to stay in character and stay detached from Miles. She’d loved relaxing and being herself around him. Now she’d have to utilize her acting skills to guard her heart. The problem was she couldn’t decide what role to play. A forbidden romance would just make her long for him more. She couldn’t force herself to pretend he was a double agent or a secretly evil character. She finally decided she’d have to stick with the truth—he was off limits, and she refused to be the woman who broke up a relationship.
His family helped distract her. Mama Millie fussed over her during breakfast. Easton and Walker tripped over themselves complimenting her and trying to take care of her every need.
The problem was, Miles was right there. He looked like the cowboy slash military hero she’d always longed to find, but he wasn’t some poster boy or movie character. This was Miles. He was genuine, humble, true, and the electricity in the air between them was difficult to ignore. The yearning in his brilliant blue eyes was even worse.
He had kept some distance from her after she slammed the door in his face. He didn’t take her hand or put his hand on the small of her back as they walked down to breakfast, ate with Easton, Walker, Jared, and Millie, and pitched in to clean up. Not touching helped. No, not really. Nothing helped. How soon would he run for his Lily?
Eva dried the dishes Miles handed to her from rinsing, trying to avoid touching his too-intriguing hands every time. She hadn’t washed dishes by hand since she’d been home to Wyoming. She liked it.
When they were done, Miles got a FaceTime call from Autumn on his phone. She had hardly said hello to Eva and Miles when Easton popped his head into the picture behind Eva.
“Well, hello handsome,” Autumn purred. “Are you the one and only Easton Coleville? Bull rider extraordinaire and my future boyfriend?”
Easton’s face broke into a huge grin. It appeared he had to remind himself to act suave. He gave Autumn a smoldering look. “Yes, ma’am, I am. You have me at a disadvantage, beautiful. I would love to hear your name and when we’re going to meet in person.”
Autumn chuckled, low and throaty. “As soon as I can hunt down the scum threatening my friend Eva and dismantle them, you plan on a date.”
“You’ll hunt them down and dismantle them?” Easton whooped. “I think I’ve met the love of my life.”
Autumn laughed again. “You’re irresistible, but just so you’re up to speed, the term boyfriend was stretching it. Love of my life will never happen. I’m not available for anything but shallow hookups.”
Easton’s eyes widened.
“Now I have heard about enough of this bull-larky,” Mama Millie sputtered from across the kitchen where she’d been wiping down the table. She slammed both palms on the wood tabletop. “Young lady,” she threatened. “You had better ask our dear Savior to help you find a moral compass, and don’t you even think the words ‘shallow hookup’ regarding one of my boys again. Do I make myself clear?”
Miles and Eva exchanged a look. Mama was a sweetheart—until you pushed the wrong button, apparently. Jared and Walker both grimaced.
“Forgive me, Mama,” Easton said.
“I had no idea your mother was in the room,” Autumn said, her eyes darting around wildly, trying to see Mama or look for an escape route. “Please forgive me, Mrs. Coleville.”
“Of course I will, and I will pray for you to find the love of Jesus in your life.” Mama’s voice was much softer.
“Um … thank you?” Autumn looked desperate to escape. “Miles and Eva, should I call later, or can we talk in private?”
“We can talk in private now,” Miles reassured her. “Excuse us,” he said to everyone in the room. He took Eva’s elbow and directed her out of the kitchen, through the living room and the entryway and into the office.
The ranch foreman was in the security room. He lifted a hand. Eva liked the quiet man. He seemed to spend more time in the security center than taking care of the ranch. Jared helped him with both the ranch work and the security center.
Miles shut the office door behind them and he and Eva stood side by side, looking into his phone screen and Autumn’s pinched face.
“You all right?” Miles asked.
