Lucy’s Revenge(Divine Creek Ranch 15)
Heather Rainier
Chapter One
The heavy scent of early spring rain filled the air as Beck O’Malley charged out the front door of the Dancing Pony, his cell phone held to his chest. The noise of the downpour wouldn’t make it much easier to hear the phone call outside but at least he had a little privacy. Two nightclub patrons exited the club as he took a couple of breaths and tried to swallow around the tightening in his throat. An unwelcome sense of foreshadowing hit him as he heard the chorus of “Wanted You More” by Lady Antebellum playing inside the club before the door swung closed.
He’d hoped to hear from Chloe Rhodes for the better part of a year. He needed to hear her voice but was afraid of what she’d say, and his heart was in his throat. Was she ready to come home? Did she need him to come get her? He hadn’t prayed in a long time but he sent a fervent prayer heavenward.
“That’s better. I can hear you now,” he murmured as he strained to hear every sound, every nuance of her voice on the other end.
“I called your place and left a message on the machine, but I really wanted to give you my news myself. In real time.” Her voice was like silk sliding over his nerve endings, her familiar accent a caress to his soul. Then her words and the hesitancy in her tone registered. The damp chill in the air sank into his skin through his shirtsleeves and gooseflesh rose on his skin. No.
He swallowed again. “What news, Chloe?”
“I’m…I’m getting married. I…you know I’m living in Lusty. I met someone…” He heard a raspy chuckle and knew that sound. She was fighting tears. “I met a couple of someones, actually. Grant and Andrew Jessop. They’re good men.” Her words registered and pain flared in his heart and his head. His jaw felt locked shut as she quickly continued, speaking faster. She always talked a little faster when she was nervous. “You are a good man, Beck. I know there’s someone special out there, just waiting for you. I know you’re going to find her.”
“Yeah, there was, and I already did.” He clenched his jaw until the pain swelled in his head. He’d held on all that time, holding out hope that she’d come back to him—that she’d change her mind.
He could barely hear her as she replied. “No, Beck. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t be that someone for you. And maybe—” His heart clenched when he heard her sob. “Maybe someday when you do meet your one and only, you’ll understand.”
“You’re crying. You cried when you left.” She had such a tender heart and she’d cried as she’d left him the year before. He’d thought everything was fine between them and had even bought an engagement ring, bartering his services to Clay Cook to help cover the cost of it. The proposal hadn’t gone anything like what he’d hoped for. She’d cried and refused him. A week later she was gone. He’d never understood why his love hadn’t been strong enough to make her want to stay. “Chloe…I never wanted to make you cry.”
Her voice was stronger as she said, “You didn’t. You have never made me cry. It was just the circumstances. Any pain inflicted on me I did to myself. And you. God, I’m so sorry I hurt you. But I think that all along, I knew I wasn’t the one for you…and you weren’t the one for me.”
No. No. No! You were perfect for me. So perfect! The center of his chest felt like it was being torn open from the inside out. An involuntary quiver shook him and his jaw trembled. He held the phone to his ear and clutched his arm, trying to hold it together.
“I still love you, Chloe Diane.” A hot tear tracked down his cheek, followed by another one. “I don’t know how I’m ever going to stop loving you.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, and he could hear her heart in her words. “I wish…well...” Please don’t say you wish we could be friends. She let out a shaky breath. “Good-bye, Beck O’Malley. Take care of yourself.”
“Chloe—I—” Don’t beg. You’ll only hurt her worse and humiliate yourself besides. “Good-bye, Chloe Rhodes.” He held the phone to his ear until the connection ended. Tight with agony, Beck stepped out from under the deep awning, into the downpour. February rain was cold rain but he didn’t feel it as it soaked his shirt, his hair, his beard, and jeans, running into his eyes and blending with his tears.
He stumbled to the truck, fishing his keys from his jeans pocket, grateful that they weren’t in his jacket pocket back in the nightclub. There was no way he would go back in there. He didn’t feel like being pelted with questions.