Page 55 of Falling for Forever

“We were.” He stopped beside her where the path widened. “You asked, and I let you think there wasn’t anything else you needed to know. I’m sorry, Lydia.”

She rubbed her palms along her sleeves. “Why?”

He looked down at the strip of gravel between his boots. He’d dreaded that question more than any question about the circuit. “I liked the way you looked at me. You knew the guy who worked with your brother. Who helped with the horses. I was afraid once you knew the rest, you’d wonder which parts of him you could believe.”

“So you let me find out in front of everyone.”

“I didn’t plan that.” He stopped and met her eyes. “But I did choose to keep quiet. I kept telling myself I’d explain when it came up naturally. Then you asked me outright, and I still didn’t do it.”

Lydia pressed her lips together. He waited while she glanced toward the dark line of the trees.

“I liked that guy at the barn,” she said at last. “I didn’t need him to have spent his whole life there.”

He’d been so afraid of losing her that he’d never let her tell him that.

“I should’ve given you the chance to know me,” he said.

She nodded once. When she walked on, he fell into step beside her.

For a few yards, their boots brushed the grass at the edge of the path. Chet kept his attention on her, leaving the next question to her.

“You went to the rodeo tonight?”

“For a while. Watched some rides. Ate a burger.”

“Did you want to be out there?”

“I liked watching. I still know what a good ride feels like.” He glanced at her. “I might enter something local someday. I don’t want to promise you I’ll never get the urge.”

Her steps slowed, but she kept walking. “What about traveling again?”

“I don’t want to go back on the circuit. I made that decision before we started dating. I bought my place because I wanted to live here. On the circuit I’d win, spend the evening with people who knew my name, and go back to a motel room alone. I wanted work I could build on and people I’d still see after the next weekend.” He breathed out. “If I ever started wanting something different, you’d hear it from me. Before I made plans.”

“Even if you thought I wouldn’t like it?”

“Especially then.”

She pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s what I needed you to do this time.”

“I know.” He couldn’t ask her to believe a promise just because he’d finally found the right words. She’d have to see him keep it.

At a low branch, Chet reached up to hold it aside. Lydia ducked under, and he followed, letting it settle behind them.

“I’m not expecting a full report every time you eat a burger,” she said.

He glanced over. “Good. I’d hate to admit what I paid for that one.”

“Rodeo prices?”

“I should’ve asked if it came with the steer.”

She laughed and shook her head at him. Chet smiled as they walked on.

“Did you go by yourself?” she asked.

“I did. Met a guy named Colt. He’s looking for ranch work around here. I gave him Jason’s business number in case we need another pair of hands.”

“With those new clients coming in, we might.”