Out of the Storm (Buckhorn, Montana #1) - B.J. Daniels Page 0,37
The cold and his words made her feel numb, her tears freezing on her face and mixing with the falling snow that clung to her. She was so cold, so tired and yet so determined. Jon had come back. No matter what he said, there was something there between them.
Collin opened the motel-room door, no doubt thankful he hadn’t turned in the key yet, and stood back to let her in. Always the gentleman, she thought, the ache in her chest worse at the thought.
“What are you going to do?” he demanded, his voice sounding hoarse with emotion or the winter cold.
“I have to stay. At least for a while.”
He bit his lip as if to hold back his frustration with her. “Did you hear anything I said? This is another one of your mistaken identities, can’t you see that? What do you possibly hope to accomplish by staying in this town? Hanging around a man who doesn’t know you, doesn’t want to get to know you, a man who just wants you to leave him alone?”
She shook her head, her throat constricting with the fresh tears she was fighting to hold back. She’d always been so practical. She hadn’t fallen apart when she’d heard about the explosion or when Danny didn’t call or when he was listed as one of the many missing and suspected of being burned beyond all recognition. She’d had two babies to raise and no time for a nervous breakdown.
“I’m so sorry about all of this,” she said, knowing how this must look. Probably everyone in town thought she’d lost her mind. “You should go on and meet your associates, take care of business. I’m sorry about the wedding dress.”
“And just leave you here?” He shook his head. “What if I don’t come back?”
It wasn’t a threat. It was a reasonable question. “You don’t have to.”
“Just like that?” He let out an angry breath and walked a few steps away from her. “I had no idea you were still so in love with him.”
“Neither did I.”
He turned back to stare at her, the look he gave her almost sympathetic. “I don’t know if I’m coming back for you.”
“I’ll find a way to get to an airport when the time comes.”
“When the time comes?” Collin asked. “And when is that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
He raked a hand through the snow crystals clinging to his now-wet blond hair and looked at the floor. “I don’t know what to do. I certainly don’t know what to say to you.”
She slipped the diamond from her finger and started to hand it to him.
“No,” he said adamantly. “Please, no. I’m not leaving you here alone. I have another two days before my meeting. Don’t worry. I won’t get in your way. I’ll give you all the space you need to figure this out, but I’m not giving up on you. Not yet. There’s a storm coming, but it isn’t supposed to be as bad as the last one.”
Kate looked down at the ring lying in her palm. “I can’t wear this right now.”
“Sure, I get it. Then, just hang on to it, because if I have my way, you’re going to wear it again—along with a wedding band.” He headed for the door. “I’m going to see if I can get another room. I don’t really think it’s going to be a problem.”
She watched him go, feeling her heart break as she pocketed the ring. She’d never wanted this. She couldn’t believe how understanding Collin was being. It was a struggle for him, she could see that. For her as well. How could she not love this man even more than her memories of Danny?
What was she going to do? This was idiotic. She couldn’t just stay in this motel and visit the workshop each day. Nor could she let this go on any longer than it had to. She knew what Collin had said Jon had told him. But could he say that to her face?
* * *
JON HAD BEEN expecting her. He heard the old wooden door swing open and felt a gust of cold air and snow blow in. Turning, he saw her standing there, silhouetted against the storm, and felt his heart break for her. For a moment, he thought he couldn’t do this. Taking a breath, he motioned her in and watched as she closed the door behind her.
“I’m sorry to be such a problem,” she said, looking nervous and unsure of herself.