Broken(3)

A brief silence fell between them before Kyla spoke again. “Are you nervous about seeing Cade again?”

Jocelyn closed her eyes for a second and then opened them, mindful of keeping her attention on the road. She tried not to think about him, knowing how futile it was to dwell on the “what might have beens”. The deep agony lurking within the depths of steel blue eyes, which had quickly morphed to cold hard anger, still haunted her. They frequented her dreams more than she cared to admit.

An indescribable pain shot through Jocelyn, making her shoulders shake. The kind that felt like someone had taken her heart in their palms and squeezed until she couldn’t breathe. They said time healed all wounds, yet Jocelyn still ached to her very core. Most days, she could carry on as if her life hadn’t been irrevocably changed by one damning night. Other times, she didn’t have the strength or the will to get out of bed. Cade remained prominent in her thoughts even after all these years. He hated her. She’d made sure of it. It was better if Cade despised her for what he believed to be her callousness than the slow agony they would both suffer over time if he knew the truth. Jocelyn cursed herself for her weakness, but dammit, she wasn’t strong enough.

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder; was that bitterness she’d glimpsed at their last encounter just as strong or was he happy? Did he think of her? Had he moved on with someone else? He would be twenty-seven now, so it stood to reason that he had. The image of a tall loose-limbed man with a rock-hard body filled her mind. “Rarely,” she whispered, silently congratulating herself at how easily the lie had tumbled from her lips. “Not that it matters anyway. I’m not going there to see him. I intend to spend time with my father and get to know my future stepmother better. I’m sure Cade will have his hands full with the ranch.”

“I don’t know much about ranch life but, don’t he and his brothers employ people to take care of the place for them? You said it was a pretty successful spread.”

“It is, but everyone pulls their weight around the ranch, even them. Actually, they probably work harder than the people they employ. They never ask anything of anyone they’re not willing to do themselves. I believe one of the reasons for the Devlin Ranch’s success is their work ethic. And their subordinates respect them for it. None of them walk around flaunting their money or position. I think you’d like the Devlin brothers. They’re probably some of the most genuine people you’ll ever meet.”

A slight curve tilted Kyla’s full lips before she released a sigh. “They sound nice. Besides you, I don’t think I’ve met a genuine person in a long time.”

“What about Nigel? He’s a sweetheart. He’s crazy about you.”

Kyla snorted, rolling her eyes. “That’s the problem. I don’t want to be anyone’s cause. Enough about him.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Tell me more about the ranch. It sounds exciting. I’ve always pictured cowboys riding around the range, roping cattle, sitting around a campfire at night telling ghost tales while eating baked beans from a can.”

Laughter tore from Jocelyn’s throat. “You watch entirely too many movies, my friend. Ranch life isn’t as glamorous as most people think. It’s a lot of long days and even more hard work.”

“I thought you mentioned it being a Dude Ranch for tourists.”

“Part of it is. Decker runs that side of the operation, but he puts in long hours—rises early and goes to bed late.”

“Sounds exhausting. I hope I can keep up with the hectic pace.”

“It can be, if you’re not used to it. When it’s all you know, it’s simply a way of life. But you don’t have to worry. You’re coming with me to rest, remember? Doctor’s orders.”