Chapter 1
Levi Mackay, a young rancher outside the small Texas town of Arlen, led a quiet life. He had many friends but stayed mainly to himself. At nineteen, he married his high school sweetheart. After only one year of marriage, his heart was broken when she left him for New York. Even after four years, he couldn't bring himself to love again.
He and his partner and best friend, Reggie Smith, had one of the best cattle ranches in Texas. They worked hard to make it successful, putting in long hours.
They were having a cold beer at the local bar when Reggie invited him to his place to have dinner with him and his wife, Darlene.
"Is she making her special pot roast?"
"Of course, she knows how much you love it. You don't think she makes it for me, do you? So let's say around seven."
"Sounds good to me," Levi replied.
"Oh, by the way, if she asks, you wanted apple pie and ice cream for dessert."
Levi chuckled. "I see she has put you on a diet. You could stand to lose a few pounds," he said, patting his friend's stomach
"Oh, there's nothing wrong with my weight. She's on this health kick and wants us to eat healthy. I only get what I want when you come for dinner."
Levi chuckled. Darlene was always trying to get Reggie to cut down on his sweets. They grew up together, went to the same school, and became lifelong friends.
He waved Reggie off and promised to be over in time for dinner. First, he had to do his chores and then shower.
His stomach was growling by the time he reached his friend's place. The aroma of pot roast reached his nose as he made his way up the porch steps. He knocked once and waited.
Reggie opened the door and waved him in.
"You know you don't have to knock. We've told you many times to walk in."
"My mama taught me to be respectful and never enter someone's home without knocking first. Besides, I wouldn't want to walk in and find the two of you in a compromising situation."
Reggie laughed. "Boy, we've been married too long for that to happen. Come on in; they're waiting for you."
"They?" Levi asked, not liking the sound of what he had heard.
Darlene stood up and went over to hug him.
"I'm glad you could make it. You remember Cathy, don't you?" she asked, moving aside.
How could he forget her? Cathy was always flirting and hinting around for a date. Though she was pretty enough, he just wasn't interested in her. She was too talkative and wore far too much makeup. He was angry with Reggie for not telling him this was a setup.
He handed Darlene the bottle of wine he had brought with him.
"Yes, I remember Cathy. Nice to see you, but I'm afraid I can't stay for dinner."
"Why not?" Darlene asked, disappointed.
"One of my horses is sick, and I must attend to him. I just wanted to tell you in person and give you the wine." He turned and started walking out.
Reggie followed behind him.
"Levi, I'm sorry about this. I didn't know my wife had invited Cathy. I only found out when she showed up here."
Levi ran his hand over his face. "I know she means well, but tell her to stop trying to fix me up with someone."
"Josephine has been gone for four years now. It's time to move on, Reggie said, placing his hand on Levi's shoulder."
Out of anger at hearing her name, he grabbed Reggie by the collar and shook him.
"Don't ever say that name again. I never want to hear it."
"I'm sorry. I know how much she hurt you, and I understand what you're saying. But since she left, you never go out and only went on a few dates that never went past the first one. What are you waiting for?"
"I'm not waiting for anything. I've been too busy starting our business and building it into what it is today. I don't have time for women. Now promise me you'll talk to your wife and get her to back off."
"Okay, I'll have a word with her. Now, will you come back in and eat with us?"
"I'm sorry, I'm no longer hungry. I'll see you tomorrow," he said as he walked away.
Reggie watched as his friend drove away. He hated seeing his friend in pain, even though Levi denied that he was still hurting. You could see it in his eyes; they held an empty look, a look of a man still in love with the woman who left him.
Back home, he heated some leftover chilli and sat down to eat. His thoughts drifted back to the moment he met Josephine.
When her parents were killed in a car accident, she was sent here to live with her grandparents. At sixteen, she was a beauty. Blonde hair and a figure that every male in school couldn't take their eyes off of. She was a bit wild and wore provocative clothes.
Every boy wanted to get close to her, but he was the one she noticed. It was an instant attraction between them, a chemistry so strong it was like a wildfire out of control.
They fell hard for each other, and when they turned nineteen, they were married in a small ceremony. He thought their love was strong enough to conquer whatever crossed their path. But he was wrong; one year after marrying, she left him. This left him with a broken heart, and he threw himself into his work.
Her leaving caused him to doubt that he wasn't rich enough or enough of a man to keep a woman. So he decided it was better not to love again, never to feel the pain she left in his heart.
The next day, Darlene drove Reggie over to Levi, bringing some food containers.
"Levi, I'm so sorry about last night. I thought you might enjoy seeing Cathy again. I meant no harm, and I only want you to be happy."
"I appreciate that. But it's up to me who I want to be with. When the time is right, and I meet the right one, I will go out. Right now, I'm way too busy."
"Okay. I brought you some leftovers from last night. There's even a slice of pie, but I couldn't bring the ice cream."
He took the items from her. "Thanks, I'll have it tonight."
"I promise I won't invite anyone else next time you come for dinner."
When she was gone, they saddled up the horses and went to round up the cattle that had wandered off.
"Have you been to see your parents lately?" Reggie asked as they rode off.
"No, but I should go soon. It's just that every time I go there, Mom always asks if I'm seeing anyone. I love her, but it's starting to bug me."
"She worries about you, that's what moms do."
"I know. If we finish early enough today, I'll ride over there."
"There's something I should tell you."
Levi looked at him with a frown, his eyes narrowing. "Is this going to piss me off?"
"Probably. When you left my place, Cathy was upset and told me to tell you she'd get back to you for a raincheck. Don't be surprised if she shows up at your place one of these nights."
Levi rolled his eyes. "Can that woman not take a hint? I've clarified long ago that I wasn't interested in going out with her."
"That's what you get for being irresistible," Reggie said and started laughing.
As it turned out, they had finished up early, so he took a shower and went to visit his parents. They lived on a small farm five miles from his place.
His mother hugged him, then stepped back to look him over, shaking her head and frowning.
"You're here just in time to eat. Looks to me like you need some fattening up."
"Mom, you always say that. But I am looking forward to one of your home-cooked meals. You are the best cook in all of Texas. Where's dad?"
"He's in the barn cleaning up. Help him while I make dinner."
He made his way to the barn and stood watching his father. For a man in his late fifties, he was in great shape. He admired his father for his strength and love. He was an honest man with a big heart.
When everyone opposed his marrying so young, his father backed him, saying love knew no age boundaries. On the other hand, his mother tried to talk him out of it, saying there was no hurry and that he should make sure he was making the right decision. Now, he thought she was probably right.
"Dad, would you like some help?"
Roy looked up and smiled when he saw his son.
"I'm glad you're here; it's been a while."
"I know, sorry about that. I've just been so busy with the cattle and everything else. What can I do?"
"I'd love you to clean up Salt and Pepper's stall."
Those were his parent's horses, and of course, his dad wanted him to clean their stalls because they pooped a lot."
He chuckled as he picked up a shovel. "Why are you always giving me this peculiar job?"
"You know I hate doing it; you're much younger than I am."
"Since Mom wanted these horses, you should make her do it," he said jokingly.
"Don't let your mother hear you say that, or she'll whoop your ass."
"I'm a little old for a whooping, don't you think?"
Both men laughed as they finished cleaning the barn, then headed inside, where his mother made them wash up before dinner.
Once the meal was eaten, they took their coffee into the living room.
"Son, my friend Martha's niece is visiting her for a few days. It might be nice if you took her out for an evening. Show her around town and maybe have dinner together."
"Marie, leave the boy alone."
He spoke up when his mother was upset at his father for snapping at her.
"Mom, I can't. I'll be extra busy getting some of the cattle ready for auction. That's why I came here tonight. I knew I couldn't until the sale goes through."
"I understand, maybe another time then. Now, would you boys like some cake?"
Levi got to his feet. "Not for me. It's getting late, and I need to be up early tomorrow. I'll take a piece home if that's okay?"
She went into the kitchen, cut him a big piece, and put it in a container.
"Here you go, it's your favourite. Son, you've been working so hard over the last few years. Don't you think it's time to slow down and enjoy life?"
"I like keeping busy. Bye, Mom, I love you."
Even though he tried to keep his mind off Josephine, he couldn't stop wondering what she had been doing over the last few years. Did she ever think about him and regret leaving?
He figured that since she had moved here from the city, she missed being there, which was why she had left. He thought they would grow old together, watch their children grow, and give them grandchildren. But that dream disappeared when she did. He would never be able to forgive her or forget the betrayal.
Maybe it was time to move forward and stop thinking about the past and what might have been. Many women would love to go out with him, so he might try dating again. But not Cathy; something about her didn't sit right with him.
