Page 56 of Hard Rain Coming

“Okay. Well, if you need me, just call. I’ll hop on the first plane. To hell with Richard’s family. They can wait.”

“No. I’m good.” She wasn’t, but she didn’t need to burden her best friend with her fragile state of mind. “I’ll call you later.”

“Okay. I love you, darling.”

“I know.”

“And I’m not asking about your man and what went on with him, because I know you’ll tell me when you’re ready.”

She couldn’t help but smile at that, however bittersweet it was. “Thanks.”

“Call me when you can.”

Vivian exhaled and concentrated on the road and the voice that fell from her GPS. She drove for exactly eleven minutes and found the café, not far from a charming and bustling downtown. There seemed to be some sort of festival in the works, and as she parked and got out of her car, she noted a stage being built in the town square and folks busy setting up booths.

Normally, she would have loved to wander, but it wasn’t her reason for being there.

Vivian swallowed her fear and walked toward the café, her legs shaky, her stomach filled with anxiety. She paused for a few moments to catch her breath.

Then pushed open the door.

Chapter Eighteen

Dallas Henhawk was in a black mood.

The storm and subsequent cleanup had made it impossible to deal with his personal situation. Added to that, the significant amount of snow meant they’d had to truck extra feed out to the pastures in order for the cattle to be properly fed. It was early for that, which meant they’d most likely blow through their own stores of hay earlier than anticipated and have to buy more from outside sources, which would be pricey.

It was going to be that kind of year.

And now Benton was telling him that Vivian was gone. Again.

What in the actual fuck?

He glared at his friend and snapped, “Where’d she go?” He sounded like an asshole but didn’t care.

Benton shrugged and moved toward him. “I don’t know, but she left this for you.” He handed Dallas a white envelope, which he grabbed, then turned away. He walked out of the office and headed for the front room because he needed to be alone when Vivian ripped his whole world apart.

Again.

Dallas read over the letter three times and then stared out the window. At least she hadn’t disappeared forever. But how could he fix all the things that needed fixing if she was gone? Why was she so hell-bent on doing this alone?

He was supposed to leave for Kentucky in a few days, but how could he do that when his life was a mess? This wasn’t just about Vivian anymore. They were both involved, and the sooner she realized he was as invested as she was, the better.

Carefully, he folded the letter and tucked it into the pocket of his jacket. He headed back to the office and Benton.

“I need a few days,” he announced as he entered.

Benton was at his desk and raised his head. “Yeah?” He sat back, arms behind his head. “This have something to do with my sister?”

“It does.”

“Take as much time as you need.”

“The horse auction in Kentucky, I don’t know if I can make it.”

“Don’t worry about the auction. I’ll take care of it on my own.”

Dallas took a step back. “I’ll need Griff to look in on my animals.”