How could she not think about it?
She was still thinking about it as she drove back to the ranch. Drew’s proposal—or whatever it had been—had caught her like a flash flood in a narrow draw, leaving her shaken and confused.
She should have turned him down on the spot and saved both of them the pain of uncertainty. So why hadn’t she? Maybe there was a reason. Maybe leaving Blanco Springs and going to Seattle with Drew could turn out to be the best decision she’d ever made—for herself, as well as for Erin, who’d never experienced the world outside rural Texas. Or it could turn out to be a disaster for all concerned. Either way, she couldn’t make an intelligent choice until after the trial.
As she pulled up to the house, she could see the work crew clearing away the ruins of the barn. Will was with them, looming over the others as he paused to shout directions or stooped to help drag a heavy timber free of the rubble. He would work until he dropped from exhaustion and never say a word about what was bothering him. That was Will’s way when he was worried, especially if he happened to be unhappy with her.
Seeing her with Drew hadn’t sat well with him, she knew. Oh, he’d hidden it, but Tori knew the signs. He’d been too polite, too congenial, too cool. And while he was talking to Drew, he’d scarcely given her a glance.
She’d planned to stay in town overnight, for some needed quiet time. But that had been before Drew called and before Will had shown up at the Burger Shack. Now, although it shouldn’t be allowed to matter, she’d felt compelled to come back to the ranch. She needed to let Will know she was here.
Beau’s Jeep was gone, and Erin was nowhere in sight. Inside the house Tori found a note on her daughter’s closed bedroom door.
In case anybody wonders, I went to the hospital with Beau and Natalie. Natalie had a doctor’s appointment. Beau wanted to visit Sky. I did, too, so they let me tag along. See you later.
The house was quiet. Bernice was probably napping, and Tori had seen Jasper on the Kubota yard tractor, hovering around the workers who were clearing the barn. Even if he couldn’t work, the old cowboy would want to be part of the action, and maybe do some supervising.
Savoring the silence, Tori sank into the cushions of the well-worn leather sofa. The stress of the past few weeks was getting to her. She’d forgotten the last time she’d had a decent night’s sleep. It felt good just to sit here in the familiar stillness and close her eyes for a moment . . . just for a moment . . .
* * *
Will had come back to the house to phone the insurance company, submit some forms on line, and order a batch of supplies for the new barn. He was headed down the hall to the ranch office and happened to glance into the living room. Tori was on the couch, fast asleep.
He’d seen her drive up to the house about an hour ago, but he’d been too preoccupied with the barn work to pay much attention. Now he found himself wondering why she hadn’t stayed in town with her new boyfriend.
Giving in to an urge, he walked into the room and stood looking down at her. She was curled on her side, her knees tucked up, her head resting on a cushion. Tangles of spun-gold hair framed her face and spilled over the suede pillow. Shadows of weariness rimmed her closed eyes. Seeing her in her sleep, he realized how tired she must be and how much of herself she’d given to helping him.
As always, Will had counted on her competence and her willingness to do her job, whatever it took. Only today, seeing her holding hands with Drew Middleton, had it hit him how much he’d taken her for granted. Tori was a beautiful, intelligent, sexy woman. He needed her like he needed air to breathe and water to drink. But needing her wasn’t enough—not unless he had something she needed in return. And Middleton seemed to be filling her needs just fine.
Seeing her with the man today had damn near killed him. He’d managed to keep a civil tongue, but it had been all he could do to keep from smashing his fist into that smug, pretty-boy face. Drew Middleton was well-educated, as