“WANT TO TALK about it?”
I tried to plaster on a smile, but failed. “It’s nothing.”
“I know that look,” Liza said with a warmness in her eyes. “That is a classic I lost my shit on him expression.”
Giggling, I shook my head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me Liza. At the same time I feel like he deserved it. I hung up on him though.”
She shrugged. “So. I’ve hung up on Walker plenty of times when I’ve gotten mad.”
With a glance out the window, I sighed. “Yeah well, ever since then when I call him it goes straight to voicemail. Like he’s turned off his phone or worse yet … has me blocked.”
“Nah, I don’t see Ryder acting childish like that.”
I huffed. “You didn’t see him and his brother rolling around trying to shove handfuls of snow into each other’s pants.”
She chuckled. “Boys will be boys.”
With a frustrated sigh, I dropped my head back against the seat. It was a beautiful day. In fact, we were driving with the windows down enjoying the fresh air. “Maybe he’s right. I have been submerging myself into Kate’s journal and Lizzy and Robert’s story. It’s so beautiful, though. I mean he left everything to be with her. Walked away from a title to be with the woman he loved. Why aren’t men like that now?”
“Wow. This from a girl who recently got engaged and is ready to build a new life with the man she loves. Ava … are you sure this is what you want?”
Snapping my head forward, I turned to Liza. “Yes. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. I can totally see myself living in Montana, being a wife to Ryder and helping him run his family’s ranch. I want that. But, I also want to stay me. And this little adventure I’ve stumbled on has changed me … and maybe it’s Ryder who’s doubting.”
Liza reached for my hand. “I seriously doubt it. I’m sure there is a reason why he isn’t answering his phone.”
She squeezed my hand and I fought like hell to hold my stupid tears back.
“Yeah. Maybe.”
“ARE YOU SURE about this?”
Pushing the door open to my apartment, I smiled when I looked around. “Totally sure, Mom. I need to see what all I have that I need to pack up and get rid of, and what I’ll want to take to Montana.”
If I’m still moving to Montana.
It had been almost two days since I’d talked to Ryder. At first I was going out of my mind crazy. What if something had happened to him? I broke down and called Nate last night, asking if Ryder was okay. When he told me all was fine and asked if I wanted to talk to him, I said no and hung up.
It was then I decided to ask my mother to drive me into Austin so I could spend a few days at my apartment. I’d already called Jay, who was over being a new bride and ready for a night out on the town.
“Have you heard from Ryder?”
Oh hell. The last thing I wanted to give my parents was ammunition against my engagement.
“Not today. I think he had some meeting with his father.”
“Ava, you know we’re going to have to talk about when you’ll be moving and all of that.”
My heart hurt for lying to her. “I know. I’m probably going back up to get the cast off and coming right back down.”
“You could get it off here, ya know.”
I dropped my head. She was right. There was no real reason I needed to rush back to Montana. Clearly Ryder wasn’t going to beg me to come back. Maybe we did move too fast.
“I’ll make an appointment and see if they can get me in this afternoon. Lord knows I’m ready for this bitch to be off.”
“Watch your mouth.”
Rolling my eyes, I sighed. “Like you have an innocent mouth.”
She reached for my hand. “Ava, something is bothering you. Please tell me what it is. You were so ready to leave and now you’re coming back to your apartment for a few days.”
Forcing a smile, I rested my hand over hers. “Mom, there is nothing wrong. I need to start getting everything in order. I just need some alone time, ya know? Get in some reading and clear my mind.”
“You’re so much like me, it is unreal.”
My heart was full as I looked in her beautiful blue eyes. “That is a compliment I’ll take any day.”
JAY FLOPPED DOWN in the chair next to me in the orthopedic doctor’s office. “You know, you up and leave me. Get engaged to a hot cowboy. Come home and the first thing you do is ask me to take you to the doctor. I should have said no.”
With a grin, I looked her in the eyes. “The first thing I asked you was if you wanted to go out tonight, then I asked you to bring me here. Cut me some slack; they had an opening this afternoon.”
“Ms. Moore?”
I got up and crossed my fingers. “Wish me luck!”
Jay lifted her hand dismissing me. “Yep. Good luck.”
After taking a ton of x-rays, I was led into an examination room. “The doctor up in Montana was able to scan your x-rays over, so we have them for Dr. Russell.”
“Oh good!” I said with probably too much excitement in my voice.