by Liz Isaacson
“You—I don’t even know what to say,” Momma said. “All of you boys have done this?”
“It starts out that way,” Wyatt said. “But obviously, Momma, the others have made it work.” He thought of Tripp, though, and how he’d moved back to the ranch after several months of marriage with Ivory. Liam and Callie had split up too, though for a much shorter time. Even Jeremiah and Whitney had experienced a few days there where they weren’t sure their relationship would survive.
Momma didn’t need to know all the details, and he couldn’t believe he’d opened his big mouth. She’d started it by coming out here and saying he didn’t seem happy, that she’d noticed he’d been out at the ranch more and more, and without Marcy.
And he’d found that he wanted to talk to someone about the situation. But Jeremiah and Tripp were both busy trying to figure out how to be husbands, new fathers, and keep their lives going. Jeremiah ran the whole ranch. Tripp had an animation job. Liam had two new kids to take care of, and Rhett wasn’t around as much as he used to be.
Micah had withdrawn as well—or maybe Wyatt had separated himself from his brothers now that he didn’t live at Seven Sons—and Skyler was off in Amarillo. So he hadn’t mentioned his recent marital problems to anyone.
“I’m going to go to the ranch.” He pulled out his phone as his father came out on the deck.
“Did I hear Marcy leave?”
“Yeah,” Wyatt said, glancing at Momma. “I’ll see you later.” He gave her a hug and moved over to Daddy.
“What’s wrong?” his dad asked.
Wyatt felt like crying. He never wanted to disappoint his father. In fact, he couldn’t think of anything worse. Enduring all the painful surgeries and recoveries he’d been through was easier than looking into his father’s eyes and saying he’d messed up.
But he did, his misery reaching a new low as his desperation shot up.
“I’m sure it’s not too bad,” Daddy said. “What’s goin’ on?”
“I’ll tell you about it, Gideon,” Momma said. “Wyatt, you get on home.”
He nodded, because he didn’t want to explain the situation to his father. So even though he was thirty-eight-years-old, he left the explaining to his mother.
He called Micah from the front porch and started walking down the road toward the highway. “Can you come get me?” he asked. “I’m at Momma’s, and I can’t go back to Marcy’s.”
Home.
He didn’t even know where that was.
“Why?” Micah asked.
“Can I tell you later? Like, tomorrow, later? I’m not up to it right now.”
“Sure,” Micah said. “I’ll be there in a few.”
Wyatt hated the way his brothers tiptoed around him. He felt like he’d been transported back a year, to the time immediately following his back surgery. He’d relied a lot on Micah then too, and Jeremiah.
But this time, it wasn’t his back that was broken.
Thankfully, he only had two more days before he needed to be in Dallas to meet Jim and go on the tour. Instead of returning to Marcy’s house for his clothes, Wyatt had simply bought new ones. Everything he needed for the tour was replaceable, and though he knew he’d need to eventually show up at her place and get his belongings, it didn’t have to be now.
I’ll come get my stuff when I get back, he typed out to her, the swing beneath him swaying back and forth. He loved the old oak tree that stood sentinel in front of the homestead, and he’d taken to spending most of the afternoon in it.
He’d already planned to take this time away from Bowman’s Breeds, though he’d told Ethan and Squire that he’d come out for a farewell dinner tomorrow after church. He wasn’t looking forward to it, but he could put on his media face and smile through the pain. The Lord knew he’d done that hundreds of times, as he’d once ridden to a championship with a broken rib.
He hadn’t talked to Marcy since she’d overheard him at dinner a couple of nights ago. He worried that any contact from him would further injure her, and he certainly didn’t want that.
He tapped to send the text anyway. Unless you want it out now. Then I’ll send the twins over to get it all.
He knew she wouldn’t want to see him, and he didn’t blame her.
He looked up, tilting his head back as if he could see through the leaves and into the sky. Marcy might be flying right now, but she probably wasn’t. She went up early in the morning and got things done before he became too hot. Then she worked around the hangar, doing paperwork and mechanic duties, before coming home at night.
Wyatt missed her with a fierceness he hadn’t anticipated, though he’d felt something akin to it last year after she’d broken up with him in the hospital.
His phone buzzed, and he glanced down at it. Whatever is fine with me, Wyatt.
Another buzz.
I’m sorry this didn’t work out.
He tapped the phone icon, and let the line ring. “Hey,” she said a moment later, and it was clear she wasn’t happy.
Wyatt’s heart shriveled, and he couldn’t get his voice to work.
“Will you please let the marriage stand until February?” she whispered. “After that, I’ll pay for the divorce and everything. You’ll be free to do whatever you want.”
He was already free to do whatever he wanted—and maybe that was part of the problem.
“What did I say?” he asked. “Or do. Or whatever got us so off-track.”
“Do you really want to know?”
“Yes,” he said. Because if he knew, he could work on changing. And then he could get her back. The thought of not being with her made everything inside him bleed, and he absolutely could not stand it.
“I think….” She started, exhaling heavily. “I don’t want to hurt you, Wyatt. Maybe we’re just not meant to be.”
“I think you’re wrong,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I think we are meant to be, and I just need to know what I need to do better.” The turbulent emotions coursing through him were at such odds with the peaceful atmosphere around him. Blue sky. Green grass. Gentle breeze.
He felt like a hurricane had blown into his soul and taken up permanent residence.
“I think you’re not used to sharing your life with someone,” she said slowly. “I think you’ve always been able to do what you want, because you’re the great Wyatt Walker and everyone loves you.”
His teeth ground together automatically. He was not “the great Wyatt Walker.” That was her first problem—she didn’t even see him as just a man. She held him on a pedestal, and she was always going to be disappointed if she continued to do that.
“So it’s about the tour,” he said.
“That,” she said. “Just…everything. You wanted the house in the hills. So we got it. You sort of talk to me like my opinion matters, but it doesn’t. Not really. Wyatt still does what Wyatt wants to do.”
“I won’t go on the tour,” he said.
She sighed, and he could just picture her shaking her head, those pretty blonde curls wisping around her face. “You can’t do that, Wyatt.”
No, he really couldn’t. It was far too late to pull out now, as Jim had told him several times.
“And honestly, Wyatt, I might have been able to figure out how to live the Wyatt-lifestyle. Do what Wyatt wants. Because I do love you.” Her voice broke, and that broke everything inside him. “But you said ‘that’s it’ about our marriage, even though you told me it wasn’t pretend. It was. It is. To you, it is.”
“No,” he said, because he couldn’t get his brain to say anything more complicated than that.
“Yes,” she said. “I heard you talking to your mom, and Wyatt, if there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that you can’t lie to your momma. And you stood there and said you married me so I could have Payne’s. That’s it.”
Regret heaped on top of his humiliation. He had said that. He hadn’t been lying. “But—”
“There’s no but, Wyatt. It’s fine.” She pulled in
a breath, and it shook, even through the line. “If you would be kind enough to wait until February, I’d really appreciate it.”
He’d known he’d need to be married to Marcy for a year, and he wasn’t going to break that promise. Not after he’d broken everything else. “Okay,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“Marcy—”
“Please, Wyatt,” she said, her voice too high now. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be. I’m okay. Really.”
But he wasn’t okay. He nodded anyway, pressing his lips together to stop himself from saying something he hadn’t censored yet.
“Have fun on your tour,” she said, and the call ended.
Wyatt’s arm dropped to his lap, his spirit crushed.
That’s it.
He’d ruined everything with Marcy with two words.
What an idiot, he chastised himself. And he had two more words streaming through his mind.
Now what?
Sunday afternoon found him driving to Three Rivers Ranch. He loved the community out here, and he’d miss everyone while he was gone.
A bunch of balloons had been tied to the sign on the highway announcing the turn-off to Three Rivers, along with a sign that said, We’ll miss you Wyatt.
A smile filled his soul, and Wyatt sure was glad for it. He hadn’t had much to smile about these last few days. His chest pinched at the childish handwriting, because he knew Josiah and Will had made it. Garth’s kids might have helped too.
When he rounded the last corner, he dang near burst into tears. All of the animals he’d worked with at Bowman’s Breeds had been brought out and tethered to the fence, with several cowboys lingering with them.
He pulled to a stop when he saw Ethan and Brynn, his heart so, so full. “Here we go,” he whispered to himself. “Keep it together.” He hadn’t cried over Marcy, and he wasn’t going to lose his composure over a few good-byes either. Heaven knew he’d said plenty of them in his life.
“Look at this,” he said, his smile stretching across his whole face. “You brought out my friends.” He patted Jalopy’s neck. “Hey, buddy.” He petted cows like they were dogs, touched each horse and spoke to them, and smiled as he finally reached Ethan and Brynn.
He engulfed them both into a hug at the same time, and the three of the laughed together.
“We tried to get Maleficent,” Brynn said, swiping at her eyes. “But she’s being used in the rodeo in Lexington this weekend.”
“I know,” Wyatt said. “I saw her online. She’s winning a lot.”
“She was trained by the best,” Ethan said, grinning. “Now, come on. All the kids have been workin’ on something real special for you.”
“Oh, boy,” Wyatt said. “I can’t wait.”
“We’re eating at Pete’s today,” Brynn said. “They’ve got the tables and everything set up, and he’s been smoking brisket for days.”
“I can smell it,” Wyatt said, thinking all these good people had spent their precious time, money, and energy on him, and he didn’t deserve it.
Brynn led him across the dirt road and parking lot to the big glass building that functioned as the corporate offices of Courage Reins, the equine therapy unit here at the ranch that Pete had founded and still ran.
Inside, a great, loud shout of “Surprise!” filled the air, and Wyatt saw more balloons, streamers, and a room full of people.
“Oh, my,” he said, his emotions not allowing more than that to be said. The cowboys that had been tending to his animals had followed him, and they crowded in behind him, quickly taking spots on the sides.
He saw Squire Ackerman and his wife, Kelly. They had four kids now, and Wyatt experienced a moment of jealousy at all the other cowboy had that he didn’t. Pete stood next to him, along with Chelsea and their three boys, who each held a sign wishing Wyatt luck on his tour.
Garth, the foreman, smiled at him, along with his wife and kids. Bennett and Beau grinned at him mischievously, and Cal and Trina, Kenny and Taryn, Lawrence and Andi, Tanner and Summer had all gathered. Even Squire’s parents were there, and Wyatt barely knew them. Of course, everyone in Three Rivers knew Heidi Ackerman because of her bakery, and Wyatt hoped she’d brought some of her chocolate soufflés.
“Ready?” Bennett called, and Wyatt looked at him. “One…two…three!”
Everyone reached up with their right hand and took off their cowboy hats, if they were wearing one. Those that weren’t waited a beat, and then they were all waving to him, their wrists going up and down as hands and hats flapped.
Good-bye.
Thank you.
We love you.
Wyatt had known Three Rivers Ranch was a special place. He’d loved driving out here every day, even if he did complain about the distance sometimes. He’d known he was supposed to be in Three Rivers. He’d known he belonged here, with his brothers at the family ranch, and with all of the friends he had out here at this ranch.
He just hadn’t known how much he loved them until that moment. How much he loved them and how much they loved him.
Not bothering to pull back on the reins of his emotions, he reached up and took off his own cowboy hat and waved it at all of them, laughing through his tears as a cheer filled the building, the sky, his entire soul.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Marcy woke on Monday morning and stayed in bed for a minute. Somehow, she knew Wyatt had left Three Rivers.
It was Labor Day, and she’d scheduled a day off. Why, she wasn’t sure. She had nothing to do around the house, and she’d known Wyatt would be gone. Now that he was really gone from her life—she looked to her left, where he used to sleep in the bed with her—she felt a bit lost.
She got up and got herself in the shower. She went through her morning routine, because it brought her comfort. She could get things done if she just focused on her daily tasks and completed them one at a time.
Shower. Get dressed.
Get coffee going.
Feed the hamster.
Check her email.
She ate a piece of toast with her coffee, realizing she didn’t want to spend the day alone. It was still plenty warm this first weekend of September, and she quickly picked up her phone and texted Alyssa. What are you doing today? Could I tag along with you and Gil?
Her cousin and Dale both loved getting outside with their kids. Savannah would be busy with her long-time boyfriend, but Marcy had a hunch she’d text Savannah too, if Alyssa wasn’t available.
She didn’t get a text back right away though. She’d just finished her toast when her doorbell rang, and then a child knocked on the door. Her heart leapt, because she knew exactly who it was.
“Remmy,” she said upon opening the door. She scooped Alyssa’s daughter into her arms and hugged her. “How are you? I haven’t seen in you forever.”
“I bwought you dis.” She handed Marcy a piece of paper that had coloring and some semblance of letters on it.
“Oh, it’s so pretty,” she said, setting the five-year-old on the ground. “What is it?”
“A pawty,” the little girl said. “Momma said I could invite you.”
“Of course I’ll come.” Marcy couldn’t decipher the writing though, and she looked at Alyssa, who carried her baby on her hip.
“It’s tonight,” she said, handing Marcy a white pastry bag from Heidi Ackerman’s bakery. “I didn’t think you’d have anything going on, what with Wyatt leaving this morning.” She hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “But his truck is still in the driveway. Is he not going on the tour?” Her eyes held hope, but Marcy shook her head.
“No, he went,” she said. “Come in. Y’all are letting out the cold.”
Alyssa and Remmy came all the way inside while Alyssa said, “Savanna is on her way over. We thought you might need some shopping therapy.”
“I totally do,” Marcy said, sighing as she sank onto her sofa. She looked at the invitation again, seeing candles where she hadn’t before. “Oh, my goodness,” she said
to Remmy as her cousin put the baby on the floor with a couple of toys. “It’s your birthday tomorrow.”
“Yep.” The little girl climbed right into her lap, and Marcy squeezed her tight. “Daddy’s gonna be gone.”
She glanced at Alyssa, who stood in the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee. “Gil’s doing ten days on, five off,” she said. “So it’s going to be brutal for the next ten days.”
“I’m around,” Marcy said. “And alone now.”
Alyssa turned, her eyes sharpening. “Alone now? Wyatt’s just going to be gone for a few weeks.”
“Until Thanksgiving, Liss.” She shook her head. “And it doesn’t matter. We broke up.”
“You broke up?” Alyssa hurried into the living room. “Honey, you’re married to him. You don’t break up. You get divorced.”
Marcy shook her head, because it was all semantics anyway. “I don’t want to talk about it.” She looked down at Remmy and LJ, chewing happily on something from her spot on the floor. “Tell me what you want for your birthday. Can you believe I don’t have a gift yet?”
That got the little girl talking, and though Alyssa didn’t say anything, Marcy knew she hadn’t stopped thinking about Marcy “breaking up” with Wyatt. Sure enough, when Savannah finally arrived about ten minutes later, she jumped to her feet and said, “Did you know Marcy and Wyatt broke up?”
“What?” Savannah closed the front door behind her. “I thought we were okay with him going on the tour.”
“We were,” Marcy said, sighing.
Remmy climbed down from her lap and said, “Mawcy, can I play with Robot?”
“Sure, sweetie. I already fed him, though, so no more food, okay?’
“Okay.” The little girl skipped down the hall to Marcy’s yoga studio and pet sanctuary, leaving her alone with both of her cousins and their undivided attention despite the baby on the floor.
