Nash seemed to startle at the commotion. His upper body shifted, and then he leaned down to kiss her temple. “Good morning.”
Refusing to sit up. Mack turned her head so her eyes could meet his.
He caught her in a sleepy-eyed gaze, brightening her world with a lazy smile. “How’s our friend?”
“He seems to have fared all right.” She studied the pony, who clomped to the other corner of the stable and started munching on hay. That was a good sign. At least he seemed more alert this morning than he had when she’d first seen him yesterday.
Sliding her palm up Nash’s chest, she turned her attention back to him. “How are you?”
He answered her with a kiss that lured her up to her knees so she could climb into his lap. “I’ve never been better,” he murmured between kisses.
His hands pressed into her lower back, massaging, bringing their bodies closer together. He took the kiss deeper, parting her lips with his, kindling a fierce desire to give him more.
Oh, yes. She could definitely stay sealed in this moment forever.
“How are you?” Nash asked when he pulled back.
“I’m good. Really good.” Still tingling and warm from all the kissing, all the touching, the way he’d held her as she slept.
Given where they were at only days ago, it all seemed too good to be true, like she’d walked straight into a dream that was allowing her to find more of herself, or maybe simply allowing her to be her true self for the first time.
Emotion built a painful ache in her chest. “Being here with you—with you and your aunt—has changed my life.” She wanted him to know that before they had to go back out into the real world.
She didn’t know what life would look like for her now. Or for him. He’d likely go back to the circuit and she’d have to go back to Denver. But she wouldn’t be the same.
“I feel alive here. You make me feel…more.” She wasn’t even sure how to explain it, but he’d touched her heart in a way no one else ever had.
Nash gazed into her eyes, letting her see more of him. “Being back on the ranch with you here…it’s like seeing the place with new eyes,” he said. “Before when I’d come home, all I’d see were the memories of my dad. My mom. And I’d feel their absence—their abandonment—all over again.”
She’d never known that feeling of abandonment, but she could feel the depth of his grief. “I can’t imagine how much you must miss them.”
She slipped her hands into his. “It’s hard to lose someone you love.” That kind of loss never really went away. He’d carried it for so long, and she wanted to carry it with him, to take some of the burden off.
“I was angry with my dad. I felt like he gave up on me.” Nash’s jaw twitched like he was holding back emotion. “I didn’t understand because I’ve never loved anyone the way he loved my mom. After she left, he wasn’t the same. And I swore I would never let that happen to me. I never wanted to love anyone.”
His forehead rested against hers. “But you make me think maybe it’s worth it. Maybe I can. Maybe I want to.”
“You can.” She sealed the words with a kiss, letting everything she felt flow out of her. He had so much to give. So much depth and tenderness and passion. She’d felt it in the way he held her, the way he touched her. She’d heard it in the words he’d said.
Mack wrapped her arms tighter around him, hoping he felt how much she cared for him. He kissed her until she found herself breathless and boneless, melting into him.
Across the barn, the pony started to stomp and butt its head up against the door.
Nash pulled away, disappointment evident in his frown. “I guess he’s ready to start the day.”
“Right.” They had reality to deal with. Reluctantly, Mack scooted off his lap and did her best to straighten her hair and her pajamas. “I guess it would be best if we get back to the house before we get caught.”
Though with Agatha being an early riser, she was likely already onto them.
“I have to call the sheriff too.” Nash pushed to his feet and then reached out a hand to help her up. “Even though I doubt Larry will even admit to ever owning a pony. Not with the neglect and endangerment charges he’d be facing.”
“What’ll happen to the pony then?” Mack approached the animal and petted his scraggly head.
“We’ll have to keep him here most likely.” Nash didn’t sound too disappointed about that. “At least until Agatha can find him a good home.”
“He may have already found himself the best home.” She slid a playful elbow into the man’s ribs and he simply smiled.
Together they walked to the door.
“Ready?” he asked before opening it.
She almost shook her head. How could she be ready for reality to come slamming back into them? Maybe it could be a different reality though. One where Nash kissed her more. Where he smiled and laughed. Where they held hands and had picnics in the meadow.
Taking his hand, she led the way outside. She could get on board with that reality.
Nash led the pony to a good grazing spot just outside the barn and checked to make sure the gate was closed, then he drew Mack in close, moving his lips over hers. “We should go get cleaned up before anyone can tell we spent the night in the barn together. I have a nice shower. Big enough for two.”
Her heart drummed. “I remember your shower. It looked pretty nice.”
The man drew his lips to her ear and whispered, “It would look a lot nicer with you in it.”
Suddenly in a hurry, she tugged on his hand. They jogged around the barn and made it halfway across the meadow before she saw a familiar Mercedes sitting in front of Nash’s house.
She stopped, dread weighing down her legs. “That’s my mom’s car.”
Nash seemed to notice for the first time they had company. “Your mom?”
Mack pulled her hand out of his and started to pace out the nervous energy that buzzed inside of her. “I have no idea how she found me. Not that I was trying to hide, but…” She’d been careful not to tell her mother too much about where she’d been staying so she wouldn’t pull something like this.
“She can’t be that bad.” Nash caught her hand in his again. “Especially because you’re not so bad.”
She couldn’t muster a smile. She knew reality would come slamming back into them when they left that barn, but this was even worse than what she’d pictured. “My mother and I are nothing alike.”
There was no way to prepare him for Sandra Benson. She’d conditioned Mack to feel guilty about everything. Even just knowing her mother was there brought on the guilt.
“I bet I can win her over. Come on.” He prodded her toward the house. “Not like you can spend the whole day hiding out here anyway.”
“I probably could…” But it some ways, that was what she’d spent her life doing. Hiding a part of herself that needed freedom. And she wouldn’t be able to fully grasp it until she dealt with her mother.
They walked up the porch steps, but just outside the door, Nash paused. “Hey. It’s going to be okay.”
“I really want to believe you.” But she knew her mother, and knowing she was here reminded Mack that this wasn’t her life. Being here on the ranch. Kissing Nash. This wasn’t the life she’d built.
Nash took her hand and let her go inside first. Her mother sat at the kitchen table across from Agatha.
“Mackenzie!” Her mother rose and regally walked to meet her.
“Hi Mom.” She knew it sounded too formal, but the sight of her mother stirred up turmoil in her stomach. “What’re you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Her mother’s gaze had fixated on the man standing next to Mack. “I’m Sandra Benson,” she said briskly. “You must be Nash.”
“Yeah. Nash Campbell.” He reached out a hand like a gentleman. “Nice to meet you.” Little did he know, politeness would get him nowhere with her mother.
Sandra didn’t shake his hand. “Where have
you two been?”
“Oh. Uh. We were…” Why the heck did the question catch her off guard? She should’ve been ready for it. She’d always been a terrible liar.
“We were checking on one of my patients,” Nash said, coming to her rescue. “A pony. Out in the stable.”
“I see.” Her mother made a show of assessing them both. “And do you always wear pajamas when you’re working?”
“Not always.” Nash continued smiling, God love him. “Just when a patient is touch-and-go and I have to go check on it through the night.”
“You never answered my question,” Mack said before her mother could ask if they’d been out there together all night. “What are you doing here?”
Sandra first looked at Agatha, then Nash, then Mack. “Your assistant finally told me where you were. And I’ve been worried sick. Both your father and I have been worried sick.”
Of course her assistant had ratted her out. She should’ve known Dana would crack under pressure.
“Breakfast will be ready in five minutes,” Agatha sang from the kitchen. Even her the chipper tone couldn’t cut through the tension in the room.
“We need to talk.” Her mother stalked over and grabbed Mack’s hand, pulling her to the door. “Privately.”
“Yes, that’s probably best.” Mack glanced over her shoulder and tried to smile at Agatha. “We’ll be right back. Can’t wait for breakfast.” She stepped outside onto the deck, bracing herself for drama.
“What’re you doing here, Mackenzie?” her mother demanded, slamming the door behind them. “Running around with a…a cowboy?” She said it like an insult. “You’ve only just broken up with your fiancé and now you’re using this poor man and his aunt—”
“I’m not using them.” Anger trampled over the guilt. “I like them. I like it here.” Her mother would never understand. She’d tried to shape Mack’s life to resemble hers, and it wasn’t what she wanted. It wasn’t what she needed. “I needed a break. I needed space. Some time to reevaluate my life,” she tried to explain.
“Have you even stopped for one second to think about anyone else? This isn’t like you. You’re not this irresponsible, selfish spoiled brat.”
Her mother didn’t give her a chance to defend herself before continuing. “Everyone’s talking about what you’ve done. Everyone at the company is saying you’re taking advantage of being the boss’s daughter and letting everyone else pick up the slack while you’re off on some quest to find yourself.”
The words sliced through her resolve. How could anyone think that about her? After all the work she’d done to make sure she earned her place there? “That’s not…I didn’t intend to…”
“And you should see how stressed your father is right now.” Her mom’s voice wobbled. “You’re our only child. He counts on you. He’s come to rely on you in that position, Mackenzie. And he would never tell you this himself, because he wants you to be happy, but he’s been working late every night doing your job too.”
No, that couldn’t be right. “I thought everything was going fine.” Her assistant hadn’t said a word about her father having to get involved to pick up the slack. Even if he had, he wouldn’t need to anymore.
“I’ll check in with him. I can work from here.” She could do both. She could help Agatha get the nonprofit off the ground while still getting her work done for the company.
“He needs you there.” Her mother’s eyes filled with tears. “You’re one of the faces of our family company. And this has gone on long enough.” Sandra dug into her purse and held out a new key to the SUV that still sat in Agatha’s garage.
“This will replace the one you lost.” She tucked it into Mack’s hand. “None of the other executives could walk away for two weeks on a whim because they needed a break. And you have no right to do it either.”
She slid her purse strap back up her shoulder. “Now we’ll go back in there and have breakfast. You can say your goodbyes. And then you need to do the right thing and come back home.”
Chapter 14
Nash had never been great at reading women, but it was pretty obvious Mack’s mom had her good and rattled.
Whatever Sandra had said to Mack outside, it had obviously gotten to her. She hadn’t looked up once during the entire meal, and she’d only pushed the food around her plate.
No matter how hard he tried to get her attention, she seemed lost in her own thoughts.
“So, Sandra, Mack mentioned you enjoy traveling.” Agatha poured the woman another glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice.
Nash had to hand it to his aunt. During the entire breakfast, Agatha had been friendly and polite—her usual warm self—even though Mack’s mother had been distant and cold.
“Yes. We enjoy traveling as a family.” She emphasized the words with a glance at her daughter, who continued staring down at her plate. “We’re very close. In fact, Mack and Evan are supposed to join us for our Mediterranean cruise this winter.”
What could anyone say to that? Sandra obviously wanted to make a point of slipping Evan’s name into the conversation every chance she got. It didn’t seem worth it to remind Sandra that Mack had broken up with the man.
Nash finished off his fried breakfast potatoes, willing the awkwardness to dissipate.
“I’m sure that would’ve been lovely,” Agatha said, starting to stack the plates. Ha. Even his aunt wanted to bail on this meal.
“It’s not too late.” Sandra reached across the table and took Mack’s hand. “We can still fix everything. The four of us could still have a nice vacation together.”
That was it. Nash couldn’t stand the woman’s badgering anymore. He stood and started helping his aunt clear the plates, carting them over to the sink. Why wouldn’t Mack stick up for herself?
“I’m sure Evan would understand that you just got cold feet,” Sandra went on.
“Mom. Stop.” Finally, Mack raised her head.
Nash pretended to focus on the dishes but he couldn’t stop watching her. Did she regret walking away from her wedding?
“Evan and I are not getting back together.” Her tone gentled. “He’s not right for me. I don’t love him.”
Nash flicked on the water and rinsed a plate to keep up the facade that he was focused on the dishes, but he was definitely listening, and he couldn’t help the relief that spilled through him.
It was good to hear Mack say that, considering he was falling in love with the woman moment by moment, smile by smile, touch by touch.
“Love takes time,” Sandra said. Seemed she was as stubborn as the bulls he cared for.
Aunt Agatha handed him another plate, giving him a wide-eyed look of bewilderment. Yes, Mack’s mom was definitely something.
“Evan is not the person I want to love.” Mack’s eyes found his from across the room. She pushed back from the table and stood. “I think you should go, Mom. Please. This isn’t helping anything.”
Nash braced himself for an argument by stashing another dish in the dishwasher, but Mack’s mom simply stood.
“Fine. I’ll leave.” She walked regally to the front door and lifted her purse off the coat rack. “But you need to leave too. Come home, Mackenzie. If you won’t do it for me, do it for your father.” As Nash supposed was Sandra’s custom, she made a dramatic exit, slamming the door behind her.
With a deep sigh, Mack sunk back into her chair.
“I just remembered. I promised Emery I would bring a hearty breakfast to her at work.” Agatha scraped some food into a plastic container while giving Nash a look and nodding toward Mack.
He took the hint, wiped his hands on a towel and walked over to sit next to her at the table.
“I’ll be back soon!” his aunt sang on her way out the door. “Leave the dishes—I’ll do them later.” The door opened and closed, leaving him and Mack alone.
She still stared down the table, her hands pulled into a tight knot in her lap. He didn’t want to push her into talking, so he simply sat by her sid
e, waiting until she was ready to speak.
“I have to go home.”
“What?” That wasn’t exactly what he’d expected her to say.
“She’s right.” Mack peeked at him, her head still bowed slightly. “I shouldn’t have taken off like that and let everyone else pick up the slack. I have too many responsibilities—”
“What about everything you said earlier?” He didn’t like the gruff tone of his voice, but the thought of her leaving tore him up. “About feeling more alive here?” All those things she’d said about him. About them…
“This isn’t where my life is.” Tears brightened her eyes. “I’m sorry, Nash. My dad needs me back at work. He’d never tell me that himself, but things are falling apart without me.”
“Are they?” Anyone who watched Sandra for five minutes could see how she’d twist things around, manipulate the truth.
“You would’ve been gone during this time anyway. On your honeymoon, right?” So how could things be falling apart at work when they all knew she’d be out of the office?
“But I didn’t go on a honeymoon. I disappeared.” She shook her head. “I’ve only been avoiding reality, distracting myself with—”
She stopped suddenly, as though she just realized what she’d said.
In other words, she’d been living in a fantasy, using him as a distraction from her problems. That was all last night was—that’s all any of this was—a little escapism.
“You’re right. You should go.” He’d been right about her from the start. She was exactly like his mom. She’d been drawn into life in the mountains, but it wasn’t enough for her.
He wasn’t enough for her.
“I can come back and visit.” Mack turned to him fully. “And I can still help Agatha with the nonprofit from Denver. Everything can be done remotely nowadays…”
Everything except for relationships. Nash couldn’t even look at her. He couldn’t believe he’d let himself get drawn into her fantasy. He never let his guard down like that.
“Sure. You could still help Agatha.” But she could forget about visiting him.
This Place Called Home: Includes Bonus Story! (Forget-Me-Not Ranch) Page 13