She shifted in her chair, hoping to shift the direction of her thoughts, too. “It is nice you could stay longer.”
He reached across the space to squeeze her hand, his eyebrows raising.
“What?” she asked.
“You know you’re important to me.”
“Yes, you’ve said that.”
“And what’s important to you is important to me.”
“You’ve said that, too.” She set her cup in the sand. He was worrying her. “Are you okay?”
“Maria, I—”
“You ready?” It was Jeff, Clint’s friend, coming up behind them, truck keys in hand.
“Where are you going?” Maria asked Clint.
“I have to leave.” He set his cup down in the sand beside hers.
“I thought you were staying until tonight?” She tried to keep her voice level, but her heart betrayed her, making it wobble slightly.
“Something came up. I’m sorry.”
Her surprise turned to annoyance. He’d just spent days pestering her about letting go and enjoying things. He’d made her feel guilty for enjoying how the ranch and her sons dominated her everyday life. He’d encouraged her to let loose, and then had turned around and secretly rebooked his flight to an earlier time?
What could have come up? Some broken-down cars? Couldn’t his customers wait an extra few days? Yes, it was Christmas and people wanted to go places, but the man deserved a holiday.
Just like she did.
They stood, Clint turning to her as Jeff retreated to his truck to wait.
“So now what?” Maria asked.
Yesterday she’d said they’d date back home, and now he was cutting his trip short. Was it because he’d gotten what he wanted?
Things were getting good, and now he was leaving.
It was difficult to not let that seep in and reopen old wounds.
“I’ll see you in Sweetheart Creek?” he asked, squeezing her hand again. She pulled it back.
“The town has less than five thousand residents. It would be difficult not to.” Her tone said it all. The hurt, the disappointment, the feeling of betrayal.
Clint shifted closer, his brows pinched. “I’m sorry. I know this is sudden. But trust me, it’s important.” He was looking at her as if she was supposed to understand, when he hadn’t even given her details.
But she didn’t understand. They didn’t have enough history between them to bridge this moment. All she understood was that after a wonderful few days and a promise, he was suddenly turning around and leaving.
And she hadn’t seen it coming.
Maria watched Clint take a few steps toward the truck. He turned back, his eyes kind and seeking. “Please tell me you’ll see me in Sweetheart Creek.”
Unable to speak, she simply stood by the chairs and waited for him to leave.
He closed the distance between them again, his look so earnest she had to believe him when he said, “You’re the one I’ve been waiting for, Maria.”
And there was that out-of-control feeling she hated. He was getting serious, fast. Her chest tightened. Her heart battled her mind, and she didn’t know what to think, say or feel.
He needed to slow down and take a deep breath. She’d agreed to go on a few dates back home to stave off boring evenings alone. She hadn’t agreed to be the one he’d been waiting for.
She’d long ago left behind that heady hope of falling in love at the drop of a hat and believing it would all work out, and he knew that.
“We have too many miles behind us. How can you believe in an optimistic happily ever after? Especially based on such a quick whirlwind romance, or whatever this was?”
“Sometimes you just know.” His hands reached for hers, gripping them.
He was so confident, so sure. But how long would that last?
“Haven’t you ever just known?” he asked, his shaggy locks giving him a boyish vibe.
“What I’ve known is partnership. Roy was my focus for a long time, our lives entwined. Our love waned, but we still had what was important. We were in it together until the end.” And then he’d changed his mind, fallen in love with someone new.
“That wasn’t love, Maria. A partnership is very different from love.”
“A partnership is what’s left after the passion fades.”
“Maybe if you’re with the right person it stays on.”
“My boys still need me,” she whispered, extracting her hands from his.
“Your boys are fine. They’re finding their own loves, their own lives.”
“They need me on the ranch. They all lost a lot of weight when I was living in town. I take care of so many details.”
“Being with me doesn’t mean you have to give that up. What’s important to you is important to me.”
“Quit saying that! You know the ranch is my life.”
“There’s no room in your life for me? Is that what you’re saying?” The hope and happiness she’d seen shining in his eyes faded. “Your sons seemed okay with me being around.”
“They think you’re wonderful, but they aren’t ready for me to move on.”
“Were they ready for Roy to do so?”
“It’s different. I’m their mom.”
Clint’s frown showed he disagreed. She knew it was a weak argument, but it felt real. Men left. Women stayed, picked up the pieces and ensured the children didn’t get too emotionally bashed in the wake of family turmoil.
“Maybe they’re ready for you to live your own life. Have you thought of that? Have you tried talking to them like they’re adults?”
His sharp tone of impatience was like a slap.
“I’m not using them as an excuse,” she said sullenly.
“Then why don’t you get to have a life? Why can’t you find love?”
“It’s not love.” Her voice wobbled.
“What are you afraid of?” Clint asked. His tone was soothing, as though he was attempting to prevent a breakdown.
She was strong, though. Too strong to fall apart. She was strong enough to look out for herself and make tough decisions.
“Clint, I think you’re special. I love spending time with you, and our dates have been wonderful. You’ve brought me a lot of joy.”
The muscles in his jaw tightened. “You’ve brought me a lot of joy, too.”
“I don’t think this is a good idea, however. I’m sorry.”
“I love you, Maria.” His jaw tightened with determination. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“See? That’s just it.” A flash of anger, hot and searing, ripped through her. “Men leave, Clint. They make big promises and then they take off. You don’t love me, because you don’t know me. You think you do, but you don’t. You say what’s important to me is important to you. But you know what’s important to me right now?” She pointed to the sand beneath her feet, her anger rising like the ocean waves. “Here? Today? You and me spending time together. That’s important. And you’re leaving. You’re breaking your promise to me.”
Clint inhaled slowly. She could see him contemplating what to say, how to talk her off this edge so he could stick to his plans.