Page 100 of Yours To Take
His words cut deep, snapping what little control I have left.
“Thanks, Peter. I’m sorry if I’m not all sunshine and rainbows right now. I’m sad because the man I was in love with left!” I yell. “I’m sorry I can’t just bounce back and be fine, but I’m miserable because he meant so much more to me than you could ever imagine.”
Five sets of eyes stare back at me.
“That’s a lot to digest,” Gramps says.
Willow hops up from the table and wraps me in a hug. “I’m sorry your friend left and made you sad, Aunt Gemma. I still love you.”
“I love you too.” I hug her back, my voice watery.
Embarrassment burns hot on my face as I stare at my family. I don’t think any of them expected that outburst from me.
I’m always the one to take things in stride, but for once, I can’t handle it.
“Come outside with me, Gem.” Gramps holds his hand out, and as much as I want to protest, I don’t. Following him to the porch, I drop into the rocking chair next to him.
“I’m sorry for snapping like that.”
“I’ve had a broken heart once before too,” Gramps tells me.
“You did?” Tears are welling in my eyes. Now that I snapped, all my emotions are brimming just under the surface.
“Your Gran broke up with me when I went away to college. Said I didn’t care about her enough to want to stay.”
“What?” This isn’t something I’ve ever heard before.
He nods, pulling out his pipe and lighting it. “Miserable that whole first year. I loved my Peg something fierce, and it hurt like hell.”
“It really does.”
I thought I knew what heartbreak was when my high school boyfriend cheated on me. Apparently that was nothing compared to this.
“It’s like someone ripped your heart out and stomped all over it.”
I laugh, dry and humorless. “Pretty much.”
“Do you love him?” Gramps asks.
I nod. “I really do.”
“Would you want to move to LA? Think about it. Really think about it.”
I shake my head. “I don’t have to. My life is here. I love this place and don’t want to leave.”
“You don’t?” Gramps turns a confused look to me.
“I don’t know why you sound surprised. The ranch. Dixon. My family. This is what I want in life.”
“You surprise me, Gemma. Always have. You’ve always kept us on our toes. I thought you were just biding your time until someone swept you off your feet and took you far away from here.”
“You did?” This time, I’m giving him the confused look. “When have I ever said I wanted to leave here?”
“You didn’t. I made a poor assumption. You’ve always had dreams, and I guess I thought they’d take you away from this place.”
“Gramps.” I reach out, grabbing his arm. He blows out a puff of smoke. “This place has always been my dream. Why do you think I’ve fought you so hard to be the one to run the place?”
“I’m ashamed to say I didn’t want to give you the position because I didn’t want to lose you. Not just from the ranch, but from my daily life as my granddaughter. I always thought you were meant for bigger and better things.”
