“I know.”
And he did, because he knew as she did that he’d never survive in Chicago, and she doubted he’d want to.
“Leave it for now, Luna.” His hand stroked her cheek.
It was hard to believe a big grumpy man like him who wrangled cattle for a living could touch like that. But then not really; look what he did for his animals.
“Sleep, baby.”
Her last thought as slumber pulled her under was why had she found a man that could be important to her here, in Ryker Falls, and not Chicago.
…
When Luna woke, he’d gone, leaving an imprint on her pillow and the scent of his big body behind.
Staring up at the ceiling she thought about the life that was waiting for her in Chicago. There was the work that she loved. The socializing when she had to, but no real meaningful connections. No one she wanted to spend time with other than Charlie and Hugo.
Luna knew she would have to walk away from the sweet, grouchy lover who had melted her heart. She allowed herself to acknowledge that what she felt for Nash ran deep. Strangely that didn’t disturb her as much as it should. Maybe because she’d wanted to feel like this about a man at least once in her lifetime. Okay, she lucked out that it was him and here in Ryker, which made them impossible. But for now, she wouldn’t think about that. She wouldn’t think about how much it would hurt when she left here. Left him behind.
Her phone rang, but she ignored it. She’d let her life take over… well, her life. She’d always been available to those that needed her. She always returned calls instantly and never let anyone wait to hear from her. In short, Luna had given everything of herself to everyone else.
“That was changing.”
She checked emails and worked on things for a few hours but avoided social media. That could be dealt with by Lilly and Hugo.
When her stomach rumbled, she showered and pulled on shorts and a top. Applying minimal makeup, she then headed downstairs.
“Hi, Luna, there’s a guy waiting for you at reception,” Lenny said when she stepped out of the elevator. “And I was bringing this envelope to your room. It just arrived.”
“Thanks. Did he give his name?”
“Hugo.”
She whooped, and ran.
“Hugo!”
He got to his feet, dropping the magazine, and met her in the middle of the reception area. He wasn’t a huge man, she topped him by a few inches, but he knew how to hug. Luna felt the bite of tears that he was here, the one constant in her life. His arms closed around her and held tight.
“I don’t understand, Hugo. Why are you here?”
“Because I was horrible to you, and I hated myself for it after that call. When you didn’t pick up again, I knew you were hurting and needed me. Lilly urged me to come; she’s worried about you too. I’m sorry, Luna. I was hard on you and said some things I shouldn’t have. Not to the best friend I’ve ever had.”
“It’s okay.” She hugged him again. “Everything’s a mess, but it’s okay.”
He gripped her shoulders, his eyes running over her.
“No, it’s not. You and I have always been there for better or worse, and I bailed as soon as the worse hit.”
“But you’re here now.”
He studied her. “You look good, considering what’s going on.”
“It’s been good for me here.”
“I can see that.”
“It’s really good to see you, Hugo.”