Part 1: No Regrets(Divine Creek Ranch 2)(60)

“I know, Rachel, but he’s asking too much,” Evan replied, his voice husky with emotion.

“What? Asking for you to get over yourself is too much?” Rachel said softly. “You told me once a long time ago, you don’t have it in you to hold a grudge against someone you love so much. I don’t understand what’s holding you back.”

“She’ll only pull the same shit again. Not all women are manipulators, I know that. And Grace seems to make her men very happy—”

“Seems to?” Wesley asked incredulously. “Talking to any of the three of them is like conversing with a man who has died and woken up in heaven. We deserve a chance to be happy, too.”

“Yeah, see, that’s just it. I’m not going to be able to make her happy,”

Evan muttered.

“You don’t know that, Evan,” Rachel replied for Wesley. “But you’ll never know if you don’t give her a chance. She’s all grown up, in case you haven’t noticed, and she’s nothing like your ex-wife, Evan. Boy, Rita worked you over good.”

“You got that right,” Wes muttered. To his brother, Wes said, “Rachel’s right. If we don’t work things out soon, Rosemary’s going to give up, and I can’t have that. I love her. I’ve always loved her, and this is what she wants.” Wes’s voice was soft but full of emotion. They’d been in business together since the beginning, and it would be a tragedy if Evan left Divine.

It sounded to Rachel like he might have been thinking about that.

“Maybe it’d be easier if I left.”

“For who? She loves you, too. If you do that you’ll just hurt her some more? You love her, too. You’re too damn stubborn and unwilling to trust her or anyone else. She doesn’t like it when you try to control her. You



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backed her into a corner today, and she reacted the only way she knew how.”

This debate had raged on since their college days. Leaving Divine to go to school may have broadened their horizons, but it had been devastating for their relationship.

Rachel sighed at their back and forth bickering and finally broke in. “A word from someone who knows, guys. That man she’s currently talking with is rather charismatic and charming, not to mention totally gorgeous.

He’s also persistent. If he’s interested in her, he won’t waste any time letting her know. Fortunately, he is also a gentleman. He’s talking to Kathleen now, but he was speaking very solicitously to Rosemary earlier and gave her his chair. I’m telling you this because I love you guys like you were my brothers. That’s your chance at happiness right there, and she’s fixing to slip away.” She patted their shoulders before she slipped from the tall chair.

“Just thought I would encourage you.”

“Thanks, sweetheart, we appreciate it,” Wesley replied.

“Thanks, Rachel.” Evan looked even more miserable. He slipped off his hat and raked his fingers through his thick hair, looking as though he wanted to yank some out in the process.

Rachel walked away, having done what she could. The rest was up to them. She groaned to herself when “Cowboys Like Us” by George Strait began to play. Looking over at Grace’s table again, Rachel watched as Rosemary rose from Ace’s chair. Ace led Rosemary by the hand to the dance floor and began to waltz gracefully with her. Rosemary loved to waltz. She looked over at Wesley and saw he had risen from his seat, his spine ramrod straight. She returned to Eli, stepped between his knees, and leaned against his chest as he sat in his tall chair at the door.

“It’s like a car wreck,” she said softly. “I can’t look, and I can’t not look. Tell me what’s happening.” She closed her eyes and pressed her cheek against his chest. She enjoyed listening to his steady heartbeat and the deep vibration there as he chuckled and gave her a play-by-play description of the events as they unfolded. She sighed happily as he took advantage of the opportunity to gently stroke her back.

“Wesley’s headed to the dance floor. Later, Evan!” he called. “Evan just walked out the door, but he doesn’t look unhappy. Wesley asked to cut in.”



Her Gentle Giant, Part 1: No Regrets

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“Did she let him?”

He paused and sighed. “She told him no. He took off his hat. He’s asking again. Man, she said no again, but now she looks upset. Ace is talkin’

to her. Now he’s talkin’ to Wesley. They’re off the dance floor. Ace’s talking to her some more. She’s shaking—no, she’s nodding her head.

Wesley’s shaking hands with Ace. Ace is walking away. Damn, I’ll bet he’s had his fill of being the Good Samaritan and deferring to other men. Oh, now Kathleen is pulling him on the dance floor. Good, she seems more like his type.”