Page 84 of Promised to the Cowboy

“Because—” My voice cracks. “Because I’m scared.”

Maggie smiles sadly. “Of course you are. You’re trying to solve this with an old survival habit.” Her gaze drops to the overnight bag again. “Every time life got hard, you learned to pick up your bag because no one ever taught you there was another way.”

My throat tightens. “I can’t let them lose everything because of me.”

“Oh, honey. They aren’t choosing this because they have to. They’re choosing it because they love you.”

I close my eyes. “They don’t know what they’re risking.”

“They know enough.”

I shake my head. “No, they don’t.”

Maggie smiles gently. “They know enough to choose you anyway. Because you, my dear girl, are worth it. That’s what real love is. Letting someone stand beside you when life gets hard.”

Oh God. She’s right. I’ve been so busy trying to protect Gabriel that I haven’t stopped to ask what he wants.

I decided for him. Just as my father has always decided for everyone else.

No sooner does the knowledge settle than the porch creaks behind me.

I know who it is before I turn.

Gabriel stands in the doorway, barefoot in worn jeans and a faded T-shirt, his dark hair ruffled from sleep. One hand braces against the doorframe like he needed something solid to hold onto before stepping outside.

His mismatched eyes find mine. Then they drop to the overnight bag beside my feet.

His eyes fly back to mine, and he goes completely still. I see something inside him break. Not loudly. Like a fence post finally giving way after years of holding against the wind.

“You were leaving.”

It’s not a question. It’s disbelief.

I can’t make myself answer.

Maggie rises silently from the rocking chair. As she passes him, she rests a hand against his arm. “She isn’t anymore.”

She disappears inside, closing the screen door behind her.

Chapter 21

Gabriel

I don’t say a word as we walk back into the house.

The screen door clicks shut behind us.

Maggie disappears toward the kitchen without looking back. She knows this isn’t her conversation anymore.

Evie walks beside me in silence, one hand wrapped around the strap of the overnight bag. I take it from her before we reach the stairs. Neither of us speaks as we climb to my room.

I close the door behind us and drop the bag on the floor beside the dresser. It lands with a soft thud.

Neither of us moves.

I stare at it for a long moment. Then I look at her.

“Unpack it.”