“Yes, I am.” Her hand brushed the unruly dark hair back from his forehead. His face was deathly white.Ībby put the pillowcase on the couch and went to him, her hands cupping his face, her entire body tense with the effort not to cry again. “Goodbye, my love,” she whispered.īoth Buddy and Joe stood as she entered the living room, Buddy’s glance going to the pillowcase. Picking up the pillowcase, she walked to the door then turned to take one last look. Wishing desperately that it were his arms, she wrapped it tighter around her body. The jacket swallowed her whole, hanging almost to her knees, but she didn’t care. Grief lanced through her as his scent enfolded her. Tate’s windbreaker was hanging inside and she pulled it off the hanger and put it on. The bed where they had made love this morning.Īnguish choked her again, but she forced it away and turned back to the closet. When there was nothing left to pack, she finally stopped, her sweeping gaze pausing on the bed. Working frantically, she crammed the clothes into it, not bothering to be neat. She spun to the cedar chest and took out a pillowcase, a hysterical laugh bubbling up from inside. Once in the bedroom, she stripped rapidly, changing into jeans, a T-shirt and her sneakers.Īfraid that if she paused even for a second she’d lose her courage, she began pulling clothes out of the closet and drawers. She fled up the stairs, her bare feet making no sound on the smooth wood. “Thank you.” Her voice was a hoarse whisper. “I’ll tell him.” Joe put a hand on her arm. The lump in her throat expanded again and she shook her head, unable to go through another explanation. “Abby, what’s wrong? You’ve been crying.” Buddy was standing in the middle of the living room, his gaze swinging between her and Joe. I guess you could say it really is Independence Day.” Chapter Twenty-TwoĪbby darted through the rain onto the porch, pausing only long enough to slip out of her muddy sandals. “I’m going to be making a few choices of my own.” She reached for the door latch.

And it’s a difference I can’t live with anymore.” “Why are you the only person in the state who ever listens to me?” He ran a hand through his wet hair. “Well, hell.” He braked to a stop in front of the house. I’ve always wondered what would happen if he thought she needed him more than I did. Tate is torn between his responsibilities. The rain had already slowed into a steady drizzle. She looked out the window, watching as the truck turned into the long drive leading to the ranch. The only thing he was thinking about was Diane. He didn’t even look around, didn’t say a word to me. There were ten other people there who could have done it. “You could have taken her to the hospital. Pulling the blanket tighter around her, she glanced at him. “What are you talking about?” He sounded alarmed.

“Then what’s wrong?” He touched her cheek.Ībby took a long breath, eyes shut while she gathered her courage.

What Price Paradise by Katherine Allred