The Cowgirl's Chosen Love - Vivian Arend Page 0,73
intended. “Why would he do that? What did he want?”
Brad made a face. “He apologized to me again. Said that he’d tried to apologize to you, but you’d never responded.”
“Because I didn’t have to. It’s not my job to try and make him feel better,” Julia snapped before taking a deep breath. “Sorry, not your fault.”
“No, I’m glad you said that,” Brad insisted. “Even better, I’m glad you feel that way.”
“Lots of therapy,” Julia admitted dryly. “Tony finally got through to me that I don’t have to forgive Dwayne for what he did to me.”
“Good.” Brad said it very decisively. He cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed. “I told him off. Also told him if he ever tried to make contact with you again, through me or any other source, there would be dire consequences.”
Julia caught herself before she gave Brad a hug and nodded instead. “Thanks.”
“You have a good getaway, and if you need anything, give me a shout.” He made as if to turn away then stopped, meeting her gaze straight on. “You’ll tell Zach about this, right?”
She opened her mouth to assure him she’d be all right and didn’t need anyone babysitting her, when she realized she’d already planned on spilling her frustration on Zach as soon as possible.
That truth felt very strange.
She dipped her chin. “Don’t worry. Zach’s got my back.”
“I’m glad.” Brad offered a quick farewell wave before making his way into the fire hall.
The ride back to Red Boot ranch passed quickly enough as confusing thoughts and memories tangled together in Julia’s brain. She slid into the cottage, prepping for bed and the nap she needed before she and Zach took off that afternoon as planned.
She’d gone back to sleeping in the guest room after her father had left. It had felt right to take that step of slowing down seriously. Plus, with Zach’s plans to take them out of town for a getaway, she figured the fooling around part was coming soon enough.
Falling asleep as the morning progressed just got harder and harder, but at some point, she must have closed her eyes for long enough to ignore the tumbling memories, because suddenly she heard her name being repeated loudly.
“Julia. Wake up,” Zach said, worry in his tone.
She shot upright in her bed, twisting toward his voice. Her heart pounded, and she stuck to the sheets as if she’d been sweating profusely.
She could still feel the heavy weight of being trapped. The icy cold of water dragging her down.
“Nightmare.” The word whispered past her lips. “Zach?”
The bed tipped slightly as he sat beside her. “Right here, sugar.”
A moment later, she’d latched onto him, curled up in his lap, arms knotted around his waist.
He held on tight, rubbing her back. Whispering soothing words. Her shaking slowed, until she finally got to the point she could take a deep breath and let it out in teeny increments.
Zach’s lips pressed against her temple. “There we go. That’s better.”
She leaned back far enough to look into his face. “I fucking hate that nightmare.”
“I know you do.”
He didn’t offer any pat words about how she’d get better someday. Or about how much better she was now than before. Which was good, because while she did feel so much stronger about her current reactions to the whole kidnapping situation, nightmares aside, Tony had been clear—the goal was not to be over it.
There were some things a person just never got over.
She managed a smile, patting Zach on the cheek. “I need a shower, and then I’ll be ready to head out.”
“Okay.” Zach backed up slightly. “You need anything? Want me to pack a picnic lunch for when we’re in the car?”
“You’d let me eat in Delilah?” Julia put as much astonishment into her tone as possible.
“Sure. What’s a few crumbs between friends?” He paused. “I’m bringing the dustbuster. You can use it when you’re done.”
Julia giggled her way into the shower, totally distracted, just as Zach had intended.
The road trip between Heart Falls and Nelson took a total of four hours driving. It had been cool enough that Zach left the top up. Julia used Bluetooth to hook up her music list to the stereo, and time flew.
Once again conversation was easy. Zach had a list of great topics he introduced every time there was a lull, but it wasn’t needed very often. They pretty much flowed naturally from one conversation to the next, words sometimes running on top of each other as each story they shared reminded the other