Page 61 of Thaw My Heart

“Kit,” Annie scolds.

I level my eyes at him. “Sorry to disappoint you, but my record is clean, Cowboy.”

He huffs a laugh. “I’m sure it’s not clean.”

Damn, he’s feisty today.

My forearms rest on the table, meeting his hard blue eyes. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? To find out, I had some dirty secret that would force me to leave.” It hurts to admit out loud, knowing that it’s true. I did have a secret, but it isn’t for the reasons that he thought.

He snorts, leaning back in the chair. “Sure would. Life was much more peaceful without you here.”

“Kit Alexander,” Annie slams her hand on the table, middle-naming him. “What has gotten into you?”

My eyes fall to the table, heart aching with guilt and sadness that I’ve buried deep. The weight in my chest feels heavy, pulling me down. “It’s fine,” my voice shakes as tears build in my eyes. “Look, I… I should get going,” I mumble, rising to my feet, trying not to let the tears fall. “Thank you for the invite. This was very educational.”

Cole and Annie try to stop me. Their voices echo down the decorated halls, but I’m already out the door, heading down the porch steps, when Kit catches up with me.

“Sadie, please, just stop!” He calls out. “Sadie⁠—”

“Why?” I turn around at my truck, boots crunching in the gravel, stopping his words. “Why bother? This is what you wanted, isn’t it? For me to leave?”

He’s breathless as he stares at me, with a face full of hurt and regret, before his eyes drop to the frosted ground. “It doesn’t matter what I want.”

But it matters to me.

And he doesn’t want me here. He confirmed it right in front of his family. It shouldn’t hurt, but it does. “Please apologize to Cole and Annie. I’m not feeling all that well.”

“Sadie, please stay—” He begs, but I’m already in my truck, slamming the door behind me.

There’s no reason to stay where I’m not wanted.

His tall frame disappears in my rearview mirror as I drive away, blasting my favorite song. Looks like cereal and whiskey are back on the menu.

The big Montana sky is streaked with vibrant oranges, highlighting the expanse of the snowy mountain range in gold. A clear morning, but the air is cold enough to give you a nosebleed. I’m all geared up, cowgirl style—with light tan chaps, jeans, my blue boots, leather gloves, a cowboy hat, and a thick jean jacket over my hoodie. Ready to start this half-day, so I can attend the Thanksgiving party in the Mess Hall.

After that stressful dinner last night, a party is just what I need to set myself right.

But when I approach Blake, he shakes his head. “You’re not with me today.”

“What?” I’m always paired with Blake. Who else would I be with?

“I wish you were,” he smiles widely, and I feel the emotion of his words in his eyes. “But the schedule changed this morning.”

“Then who am I with⁠—”

“With me.” His deep voice snaps my attention, a voice I would recognize anywhere.

Kit approaches me with his horse’s reins in his hands, looking just as pissed off as I feel. Bandit trots along next to him, staying near his heels.

Oh, hell no.

I groan, loud enough for Kit to hear. “Do I have to?” I’d rather eat rocks or chuck those rocks at his stupid face.

Blake just smiles. “Sorry, Sadie.” With a light kiss on my cheek, he brushes my arm, whispering good luck, before he takes off, joining up with a blonde cowgirl named Leah.

There are four cowgirls at Lone Pine Ranch, whom I met briefly during my first week. Leah is probably in her twenties, a pretty enough girl that I should feel threatened she’s spending the day with Blake, but at the moment, her gaze is on Kit. Running the length of her eyes down his tall frame. And I hate the way it churns in my gut.

The way it bothers me even more.