Bachelor Swap - Lacey Black Page 0,79

share a story about an adoption or something one of the animals did that day. You were born to work with animals, honey. It’s your calling, but that’s not really what I meant. Are you happy here? In Boston?”

I open my mouth to insist I am, but nothing comes out. The city has never really felt like a home to me. It’s comfortable and close to the ones I love, which is a big part of why I’ve stayed.

“That’s what I thought,” he says, shaking his head and looking away. “This is my fault.”

“What is?” I ask.

“You stayed here for me.”

“That’s not true,” I argue, but he won’t let me continue.

Dad holds up his hand so he can explain. “It is true. I knew it in my heart the day I handed over the keys to this place. Oh, you thought it was lovely and was impressed with the security measures, but it wasn’t what you really wanted. You’ve never really enjoyed the city life or having tall, steel buildings surrounding you. So, tell me the truth, Kyla. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?”

I want to lie, to insist I love my home and the city, but I know he’d see right through me. And it would be wrong of me to lie to him, especially when the whole reason I’ve been upset is because I was deceived.

Closing my eyes, I picture myself living out of the city, in a wide-open space with room to run. A yard with dogs napping under the shade trees and chickens around the barn. And horses. There would definitely be a horse or two and cows. Lots and lots of cows. There would also be a cowboy fixing a broken fence board, his ballcap low on his face to shield the hot sun and his T-shirt molded to his body from sweat. He feels my eyes on him and turns around, awarding me with a panty-melting grin that promises dirty things later that night.

Mason.

I don’t even realize I’m crying until a napkin is placed against my palm. Bringing it to my eyes, I hold it there to mop up the moisture, but it’s well saturated quickly.

“Kyla?” my dad whispers, drawing my attention. “I want you to be happy. If that’s here, great. If not, then I want you to sprout wings and fly.”

“But what if it takes me away from you?”

He smiles proudly. “Did you forget I’m about to sell my company? I was rather financially stable before, but this time tomorrow, I’ll be set for life. And the next one and the next one after that too,” he says, chuckling. “My point is, I can travel anywhere I want, and if that means flying to Timbuktu several times a year to visit my only daughter, then it’s a flight I’m willing to take.”

“That’s not fair to you. This is your home,” I argue, the tears burning beneath my eyelids.

“I can make a home wherever. I want to travel more and see the world through fresh eyes and can hang my hat up anywhere, honey. Even in Montana.”

My eyes fly up to meet his. Where his are full of humor, mine reflect shock. “What?”

“Just saying,” he says, taking another sip of hot coffee. “I think I’d love to visit Montana, actually. Maybe even purchase some land near a cattle ranch, buy some Levi’s and some cowboy boots. I might actually enjoy that.” Dad smiles over the rim of his cup. “Listen, Kyla, I want you to be happy and only you can decide what…or who makes you happy. I know he hurt you. Maybe you can forgive him, maybe not. That’s for you to figure out,” he says, finishing off his beverage.

I stand up as he does, leaving my cup on the table. “Thank you, Daddy,” I whisper as I pull him into a hug.

“I’d do anything for you, honey, but only you hold the key to your own happiness. Take some time and figure out what that might be. Maybe you can go and do some traveling of your own,” he adds with a wink. He places a kiss on my forehead and turns toward the elevator.

Before the door closes to whisk him away, he turns back to me and adds, “I love you, Kyla. Be happy.”

When the door closes, I’m left alone with my thoughts and conflicted heart.

I’m still angry. The pain is too raw. I can’t even think about a future, let alone consider what