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"Did you love Jorgen?"

"No"

"Still, you were so young when all that happened I’m surprised you never married and had more kids"

"After the shit I’ve told you, you think I’d subject a kid to havin’ me as a father?" Or a woman who’d want ht on the hard cement "What about you and Steve?"

"What about us?"

"You never had kids On purpose?"

"We would’ve welcomed a baby Just didn’t happen And Steve was old-fashioned

He didn’t want fertility tests to figure out the problem Nor did he warm to the idea of adoption I know some folks look at me with pity because I’m childless But you can’t miss what you’ve never had"

"True What would you do if you ended up pregnant now?"

Geht--"

"You ain’t been through h"

"Don’t matter My unci had her last baby when she was fifty-one She thought it was uess that means we’d better make sure we’re usin’ condouess you’re right"

Darkness had fallen The yard light clicked on Pretty soon bugs would be out in full force Cash was tired of talking Spilling his guts hadn’t alleviated the ache in his heart or his head Gee

She smoothed his hair away from his face "How’s your head?"

"Still hurts"

"Want h I think I ht just pop a couple aspirin and crawl in bed" He stood and grabbed his euest bedrooht so I don’t disturb you"

"But that’s not necessary--"

"’Night, Gem"

He didn’t look back He couldn’t take her look of pity

And he knew she wasn’t ready to see what he couldn’t hide in his eyes

Chapter Sixteen

Headlights swept the s above the sink Water splashed in the hts disappeared

Macie was back

Gem on the ranch books She glanced at the clock Cash had been in bed for two hours She’d resisted checking on hi her than sleeping off his headache

Things had taken a strange turn today Not only because he’d fucked her senseless in the barn, but because he’d opened up to her She suspected he was filled with regret about showing her that tender side of hiuilt he carried

Did Macie know? Did she care?

How did Ge to be with Cash outside of the workday, when she knew he felt guilty that he wasn’t spending that tihter?

She julassof the screen door She said, "Come in," and Macie slipped inside and hesitated by the wall

"Hey, Gelanced at the doorway to the living room "Umm Is my dad around?"

"Yeah But he had a bad headache and he’s in bed"

Macie’s eyes filled with concern "Is he all right?"

"I hope so" Geoodbye and disappear back to the camper It surprised her when Macie pulled out a chair and plopped down

"Is he mad at me?"

"Why would he be o horseback riding tonight I fell asleep at Carter’s When I woke up it was already dark"

Ah No wonder Cash acted so melancholy "He didn’t act like he was mad Maybe a little disappointed"

"Crap I never hed "Story of my life

Story of our life actually Seems like our plans are always interrupted"

Macie left her as good an opening as any to broach the subject "Does it bother you that your dad is here working forthe backroads with you? That was your plan, right?"