“Even to her own damn detriment,” I muttered.
“Exactly. But she did make a decision and say yes to the PCE position—before she knew all the travel that it entailed. So now she’s waffling. Big time. I suspect that’s why she ran to Wyoming. If she has to look her dad in the eye to turn in her resignation, then she’ll feel too guilty to leave DPM and it’ll give her an excuse to back out of the offer to run PCE.”
I briefly closed my eyes. Fuck. I wanted to talk to Sierra about this, not her damn sister. I hit the mute button. To Raj I said, “Change of plans. Take me to Sky Harbor.”
“Seriously, dude?”
“Yeah, the airport exit is coming up.”
I clicked the mute off to hear Rory say, “I’ll be blunt, Boone. This decision will affect both of you, but mostly it’ll have a lasting impact on her future. You want what’s best for her, right?”
I understood what Rory didn’t say. But what’s best for her might not be best for you.
“Always.”
“Then do the right thing.”
“Which would be what?”
“Break up with her.”
I laughed.
Which pissed Rory off. “Why is that so funny, asshole? You left her broken-hearted before when it served your purposes. I’m asking you to do it again so Sierra will take this amazing career opportunity instead of passing it up because she’d rather be home baking fucking cookies for you, beings she’s afraid if she’s not with you all the damn time you’ll leave her.” She laughed. “But you and I both know that you’re going to leave her again eventually, so I’m just asking you to do it sooner, rather than later.”
I curled my fingers into my palm, forming a fist and then slowly letting it out. “Rory. With all due respect, you and I are not going to see eye to eye on this, so I’m giving you two choices. You either listen to me and do exactly as I say, or you put Dalton on the phone.”
“Why would you need to talk to Dalton?” she demanded. “Because he’s a man and I’m far too emotional?”
“No. I’d talk to Dalton because he understands what’s at stake when you finally go after the woman who has always fucking owned you—as I believe he did with you.”
Silence.
Then Rory said, “All right, West, tell me what you need me to do.”
I released the breath I’d been holding. “If the stars align…best-case scenario is I pull into Sundance eight hours from now. Keep Sierra occupied and from meeting with Gavin until she and I can talk.”
“Done. I’ll just tell him Sierra is on a rampage because the two of you had an epic fight. He’ll avoid her at all costs.”
Of course Rory would find a way to blame this on me. But if it worked I didn’t give a damn.
“One last thing. If you fuck over my sister again? I’ll come after you. I know how to use my husband’s ax and I’ll scatter pieces of you in the forest where no one will ever find you.” She hung up.
Jesus. Sierra had some seriously violent friends.
Raj said, “What’s up?”
After I finished explaining, I said, “You probably better pull over at the next gas station so I can get out of this uniform.” We’d both been so eager to leave we’d jumped in the SUV ten minutes after shift change. We’d stopped only to fill up with gas and switch drivers.
“No way. You need the extra love wearing that uniform will give you today. I ain’t telling you to do it all the time, but this is an emergency, amirite?”
“I guess.”
He took the airport exit. “Which airline?”
“Southwest has the most frequent flights to Denver.”
At the terminal, I hauled my duffel out of the backseat. “Thanks, man. And if you could do me one more favor…”
“Talk to my Lucinda Grace about keeping this on the down low. But you don’t gotta worry ’bout Sierra hearing from her ’cause me and my woman are gonna be occupied.”
I scored the last seat to Denver on the eight-thirty a.m. flight.
Since I was in uniform, I got a wicked military discount.
At the rental car agency in Denver, I groaned at seeing the long line.
A businessman around my dad’s age, at the front of the line, motioned me over. “On your way home, son?”
“No, sir. I’m on my way to get my girl.”
He let me cut in front of him with a pat on the back and a murmured, “Good luck.”
A quick stop at REI for a winter coat and blankets and I was on the road headed home.
Not home to Wyoming; home to her. Home wasn’t a place. It was a person. And she was mine.
I’d gotten to the cabin late last night and had immediately burst into tears because Rory had fired up the wood-burning stove and stocked the refrigerator—such a thoughtful welcome home. She’d stayed for half an hour and listened to my dilemma before she’d gone back to my dad and Ree’s house where she and Dalton were staying.
I’d been so physically and emotionally exhausted I just crawled into bed.
After a quick shower this morning, I made breakfast and checked my messages—eight missed calls from Boone. Four voice messages. He deserved at least a quick reassurance that I was all right. But how did I tell him I’d grabbed a last-minute flight to Denver to talk to my dad about the PCE/WEI job offer? When I hadn’t mentioned anything about those offers to him?
So I did nothing.
I called my dad and let him know I had a few important things to discuss with him. But his reaction? Bizarre to say the least. Acting totally put out that I’d shown up in Sundance without warning. Then he’d informed me that he and Ree had plans they couldn’t change and they’d be gone until early evening.
That sucked. I’d have to sit around and stew all damn day. I could’ve done that in Phoenix.
So then I thought, no biggie, Rory and I can catch up. But she had plans with Dalton’s family and she hadn’t invited me, assuming I’d be bored spending the day talking about cows and babies.
I wasn’t keen on heading into Sundance. Guaranteed I’d run into some of my other relatives—oh, like Kyler’s parents—and I’d have to keep a straight face about how far Ky had come in his studies with his tutors. Or any of Kyler’s or Anton’s siblings who wanted to know every single detail of their big brothers’ lives at college. Or Hayden’s mom, who always asked if her shy boy had come out of his shell, to which I could truthfully answer he still spent a lot of time in his bedroom—just not alone.
I prowled around the cabin, the urge to bake overwhelming me. The cupboards were devoid of any baking ingredients and that would require a trip to town. Then the perfect solution occurred to me. I picked up my phone and dialed.
She answered right away. “Sierra! How lovely to hear from you!”
“Hi Grams. Guess what? I’m at the cabin.”
“You are? Well, this really is my lucky day.”
“Are you busy?”
“For you? Never. What’s up, sweetie? Is everything okay?”
No. “I’m just here doing some thinking. And I wondered…did you ever figure out that Almond Joy cheesecake recipe?”
“As a matter of fact…I did. Shall we test it out?”
“I’d love that.”
“Be over with the stuff in a jif. And sweetheart, you know your grandpa is gonna tag along.”
I smiled. “He’s always welcome too.” I missed seeing my grandparents. They tried to get to Arizona at least once a year to see me but it wasn’t the same as Grams popping over and baking a cheesecake with me.
For the next three hours I forgot about everything—mostly—as I caught up on McKay gossip and laughed with Grandma Vi and Grandpa Charlie. The cabin smelled great, my belly was full and my grandpa had even loaded up the woodbox.
Immediately after they left my feeling of contentment vanished.
I missed Boone.
I wasn’t being fair to him by ignoring his phone calls. He was back in Phoenix by now, probably pissed that I was ditching him, and I
didn’t blame him.
My phone dinged with a text message.
My heart jumped when I saw it was from Boone.
B-Dub: I luv u. U know that, right?
Me: Yes. I love you too.
B-Dub: U trust me?
Me: Without question.
B-Dub: Meet me n the clearing n twenty.
I got a funny tickle in my belly.
Me: What clearing?
B-Dub: U know where. Dress warm.
Me: Boone, are you here?
No response.
Dammit.
I bundled up, grabbed my keys and ran out the door.
The wind twisted snow flurries into shimmering ribbons that danced and spun across the sky and frozen ground.
I bumped over the cattle guard, pulled into the clearing and there he was.
Boone leaned against the driver’s side door of an SUV. He wore an oversized coat and a knit cap. His booted feet were crossed at the ankle. His arms folded over his chest. He wore his everyday uniform.
Damn, I loved him in uniform.
I threw the car in park and bailed out, then I was running straight toward him.
His arms were open when I reached him. They closed around me tightly the instant our bodies connected. His cold lips landed on mine and he kissed me with the surety, passion and possession that reminded me who I was to him.
His life. His love. His everything.
Boone ended the kiss with a groan and stared into my face.
“You’re here.”
“Not because you called me and told me what the hell was going on.”
I deserved that. “Who called you?”
“No one. I called Rory. You think I might’ve been a little concerned when I hadn’t heard from you in thirty-six hours after I was gone for two weeks?”
“I needed to get some stuff figured out before I saw you.”
His eyes searched mine. “And this isn’t something I can help you with? Whatever decision you’re wrestling with?”
“Boone—”
“Sierra. We’re a unit now.”
I snorted. “Unit. Military man to the core.”
“Unless that’s what this decision is about? You dismantling our unit?”
I hated the hard set to his jaw and the fear in his eyes. “No. No,” I repeated. “I finally have the forever kind of love with you that I wanted. Which is why the thought of being away from you makes me ache, Boone. And…the decision I made? I have to undo it.”
“What decision?”
“Phyllis offered me the directorship of PCE.”
“I know. Rory told me. I wished you would’ve told me, but we’ll table that part for now. When did Phyllis offer you the directorship?”
I looked down. “Uh. A while ago.”
The rough tips of his fingers pushed my chin back up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “When?”
“The week you moved in.” When his eyes darkened, not with anger, but with hurt, I clarified, “I hadn’t decided, okay? Phyllis gave me time to think about it. Every time I thought I’d come to a decision, something happened either at DPM or personally that made me question it. For the first time in my career I was this wishy-washy version of myself and I didn’t like it.”
“That’s why you didn’t talk to me about it? You didn’t want me to see you as less than a super-confident, super-badass business woman who had all the answers all the time?”
I allowed a smile at his vision of me because it was so freakin’ awesome he saw me that way. “Partially. You were dealing with your own career issues and I didn’t want to add to your worries. Then all the stuff went down with your dad…and the timing to talk to you about it never seemed right. So I kept putting it off. I’m sorry.”
Boone stroked my jawline with his thumb. “What aren’t you telling me? Because getting paid to run PCE is a dream come true for you. You started the organization. It’s where your passion lies.”
“I know. On Monday Phyllis informed me that WEI—Women Entrepreneurs International—has offered to bring PCE into their organization as a charter club. Which is huge. The impact would be…indescribable because there isn’t a chapter in Arizona. They have worldwide reach. But as chapter director of a new charter I’m required to undergo extensive training.” I locked my watery gaze to his. “I’d be traveling not only all over the country, but all over the world. For a year.”
“A year,” he repeated.
“Yes. And I’ve been warned little of that time will be spent in my chapter city. So you’re committed to being in Phoenix for the next two years because you wanted to be with me. How can I possibly sign on for a position that will take me away from you for a year? You’d end up resenting me—”
“Never gonna happen.” He framed my face in his hands. “Never. I love you. Without conditions. And baby, always keep that in mind when making any decisions, okay?”
I nodded.
“So you already took the position.”
“Yes, it’s a verbal agreement. But—”
“But what?” Those dark eyes bored into mine. “Are you here to give your dad your notice in person? Or are you here because you know you won’t be able to hand in your resignation if he’s looking you in the eye and asking why? So that’ll enable you to go back and tell Phyllis that the CEO refused your resignation, allowing you to back out of your verbal agreement?”
My jaw would’ve dropped if he hadn’t been holding onto it. How had he known?
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m not letting you back out.”
I filled my lungs with cold air. “You don’t get to decide that! So many women base their career decisions on what the man in their life wants, instead of what they want. I swore I’d never do that.”
“Sierra, you’re basing this decision on fear, not what you want, not even what I want. You’re afraid I’ll get lonely and take up with someone else?” He got in my face even more. “Woman. Are you fucking serious? When will you get it through that stubborn McKay head that you’re it for me? I’ve been waiting for you for seven years. You, being gone for one year for an amazing career opportunity? I’ll stand beside you, wait for you, support you…that’s what people in love do. There are no damn conditions or time constraints.”
My belly fluttered. “You promise?”
“Yes.” He rested his forehead to mine. “I will miss the fuck out of you. Every minute, of every hour, of every day. I’d rather deal with loneliness for a short time than your resentment for a lifetime. And keep in mind, I’m career military. This is the first separation for us, but it won’t be the last. You don’t have to choose, Sierra. You already have me. Take the damn job.”
“Okay.” Excitement and fear started a tug of war inside me. Could I really be lucky enough to have the dream guy and the dream job?
“Just…please don’t tell me that you’re leaving for Switzerland in the morning.” He groaned. “Although, that’d be karma biting me in the ass for how much notice I gave you.”
I laughed. “No. I have a month or so.”
“Good. Because there is one guaranteed way to make sure you believe this is forever.”
Those brown eyes shone with so much love I was nearly blinded by it. “How?”
“Marry me.”
Holy crap. Do not ask him if he’s serious. My mouth had gone as dry as the desert. I swallowed hard and attempted to keep a light tone. “If I said yes, would you stop calling me McKay?”
He shrugged. “I’ll probably still call you that when we’re at home, screwing around and stuff, because it’s a habit. But I would expect you, as my wife, to share my last name.”
My heart felt like it might pound out of my chest. “If I said yes, could we have a small wedding with just my dad and Ree, my grandparents, Rory and Dalton, with Lu and Raj standing up for us?” I frowned. “But the McKay-kateers would be ticked if they didn’t get invited.”
“No more than that,” he warned. “I’d be thrilled i
f we didn’t have a spectacle with the rest of the McKay family.”
“Would you wear your dress uniform?”
Boone grinned. “Like that, do you?”
“You know I love it. You know when I see you in it I’m so…proud of the boy who left everything behind to make his life on his own terms.”
His eyes softened. “Will you please say yes to becoming my wife?”
“Sierra West sounds pretty awesome, actually. But maybe you should talk to my dad first.”
He leveled me with that I’ve-got-a-secret-smile. “I already did.”
“When?”
“When I signed that damn stalking contract. I told him I was gonna marry you.”
Cocky bastard. “What did he say?”
“He said, ‘Son, I knew when you left her you had no choice. I also knew you’d be back for her someday. Guess that day is here.’”
My dad. Such an insightful, sentimental, awesome dork.
I felt my smile fade.
Boone was right there. “What?”
“It’s going to be hard giving Dad my notice for DPM.”
“It’s going to be hard giving the CEO notice because he’ll have a helluva hard time replacing his top executive and he knows it. Your dad will be so damn proud of his daughter for the impressive opportunity she’s earned.” He kissed me. “Keeping that distinction will make it easier for you.”
“You’re probably right.” I grinned at him. “This is a much better outcome than the last time we were in this clearing.”
“Agreed.” Boone’s eyes took on a wicked gleam. “But I would like to revisit that idea about fucking you in the wildflowers under a moonlit sky sometime.”
I whapped him on the chest. “I believe I stated that much more romantically.”
“You were a virgin. Now you know that down and dirty can be just as romantic as slow and sweet. I’ll give you a detailed reminder of both ways later.”
I shivered.
Boone rubbed his hands up and down the outsides of my arms. “It’s getting dark. We should go.”
“I’ll meet you at my dad’s house.”
“Hold on.” He crushed me to his chest and brushed his mouth across my ear. “I love you, Sierra McKay. I couldn’t have said that to you seven years ago because I didn’t know what it meant. Now I do. All because of you. So will you please agree to marry me before I lose my fucking mind?”
Unbreak My Heart (Rough Riders Legacy Book 1) Page 34