Daddy came riding up on a horse and stopped short of Walker. I watched Walker’s body language change. He kept stepping away from the horse, almost like he was afraid of it. Jumping off the tailgate, I approached the animal. I smiled and brought the horse closer to me.
My father asked, “When do you think you can ride again?”
Walker’s eyes filled with something I’d never seen there before. Fear. He was scared of the horses.
“I’m doing pretty good in rehab. Shouldn’t have to go that much longer. Starting to lift weights, so I’m sure I’ll be back and helping with the ranch in no time.”
Daddy slapped his hand on Walker’s shoulder. “Son, I just want you to heal completely. We don’t need you going off and hurting yourself. We’ve got some help, so don’t worry. I want you to heal—it’s only been three weeks since the accident. You and Liza should take a trip somewhere—maybe to the coast. Spend a few days together.”
I looked at my father, shocked. He winked at me and I giggled.
“Nah, I can’t leave. Still have a few more rehab sessions, and then I want to get to work on the ranch. It’s killing me. I feel useless.”
My father’s expression changed as he stared at Walker. He cocked his head at me. I could see it in his eyes. He felt sorry for me.
“I’m going to head on back. Want to ride with me, sweetheart?” My father asked.
I shook my head and was about to say no when Walker said, “Go on ahead, Liza. Spend some time with your daddy.”
My heart dropped and I balled my fists up tight. “I need to talk to Walker, Daddy.”
My father nodded, climbed up on his horse, and took off. I took a few deep breaths and stood a little taller, deciding I would give Walker what he wanted: space.
I turned to him. “I um…I think I’m going to head out of town for a bit.”
Walker frowned. He looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped.
“I have a friend from college who’s staying at her grandparents’ place in Destin, Florida. She’s been bugging me to visit. I think I’ll take her up on the offer.”
“You’re leaving?”
My jaw trembled. “Isn’t that what you want? Time away from me?”
He shook his head and, again, refrained from speaking.
Fine. If this is how he wants to do this. This is how we will do this.
I walked toward his truck and looked over my shoulder. “Do you mind giving me a ride up to the house?”
He ran his hand through that messy hair of his, and I wanted more than anything to run my hands through it. “Liza, please don’t think…”
I spun around. “Don’t you dare try to make this better now. Do you know when the last time you kissed me was? Do you have any idea?”
He nodded. “The morning of the accident.”
My jaw dropped. I wasn’t sure if it was his remembering that surprised me, or the tears in his eyes.
“You’ve done a damn good job of pushing me away, Walker. You’re getting what you wanted.”
I opened the passenger side door and jumped in, slamming the door shut and staring straight ahead as I spun my ring on my finger. Walker got in the truck and headed for my house.
WALKER PULLED UP to my house and parked. I opened the door and started to get out.
“Liza?”
I turned around. “Yeah?”
“I love you.”