Chapter 14

The next morning, I answered the knock at the door. “C’mon in, Luke. I was—”

“Hello, Maeve.”

I stiffened at the baritone voice. “Cody…” My pulse racing, I took a step backward. “I thought you were going to write.”

“I was. I tried, but then I thought I could explain better in person.” As he handed me a half-finished letter, a stainless-steel watch flashed at his wrist.

I recognized the bezel. “You’re wearing your Christmas present.”

“Haven’t taken it off”—grinning, he flexed his wrist—“not even to shower.”

I remembered agonizing over which timepiece to buy—the gadget watch with the fish finder, pathfinder, altimeter, barometer, transponder, or sleep tracker—but since he liked scuba diving, I’d selected a dive watch. “It’s waterproof as I recall.”

His grin faded as he pulled at the expansion band. “Do you want it back?”

“Keep it.” I glanced at the paper—Maeve, I’ve been meaning to write, but—then handed it back. “In fact, keep this, too.” No more reminders. No more tears.

Shoulders drooping, he accepted the letter like a warrant for his arrest. “I just want you to understand why…” He stifled a sigh and started over. “Could we go somewhere for coffee?”

Lips pressed together, I shook my head.

He glanced at the time. “Just coffee—not a champagne brunch.” A corner of his lips rose in a tentative smile. “Look, I’d appreciate getting something off my chest.” He half-lifted the letter. “Like I said, I tried to write, but—”

“Cody, you broke up”—I pointed at him, then jerked my thumb at myself—“with me, remember? Not the other way around. So don’t expect me to come running back. You can’t have it both ways. Life doesn’t work that way.”

“Everything all right?” Luke’s voice boomed from the doorway.

I took a deep breath, glad for the reinforcements.

“I’m Cody Winters.” He stepped forward to shake hands.

“I’m talking to Maeve.” His eyes flinty, Luke turned toward me. “Everything okay in here?”

“Yeah.” My mouth dry, I swallowed. “Cody served with me at Fort Carson. Cody, this is Luke Kaylor, the owner.”

Luke’s eyes narrowed as his head dipped in a cool nod.

What do I do? Uncomfortable as I eyed the two men, a montage of the weeks with Luke flashed through my mind, while two years of memories with Cody reran like a bittersweet video. He was a ghost from the past that I didn’t want to resurrect. But this might be the only chance to learn why he broke our engagement.

“Cody wants to catch up over a quick cup of coffee. Mind if I start pruning a little late this morning?” Lifting my brows, I silently appealed.

With the same wounded trust in his eyes as in Teddy’s the night before, Luke held my gaze. “Do what you want.” Then the color draining from his face, he turned and strode out.

“All right, Cody, one hour, then I’ve got to get back.” I stared after Luke. Is this a mistake?

****

Arms crossed, I hugged the car door on the drive to town.

“There’s a taqueria.” Pointing, Cody slowed the car. “Looks like a good place for coffee.”

Rosie’s café. “No!”

“Why?” His head spun toward me. “What’s wrong with it?”

“Too noisy for conversation.” I took an uneasy breath, amazed at how easily I lied. “The drugstore in town has quiet booths in the back.”

“Okay.”

Five minutes later, we slipped into a booth made from recycled wood.

“Coffee?” The question rhetorical, the waitress set two mugs and a coffee urn on our table. “Want menus?”

“No, thanks.” I shook my head as I glanced at the time, then turned toward Luke. “I’ve only got a few minutes, then I’ve got to get back.”

“Why? Are you on the clock?” Cody’s smile hinted at a joke.

“Actually, yes. I’m helping Luke prune vines.”

“In exchange for what…?” His lip curling, he implied more.

“None of your business.” Coffee was a mistake. I straightened my shoulders. “Say what you’ve got to say.”

“Spit it out? State my case?” His narrowed eyes challenged.

“No, I said…” Oh, no, you don’t. I pressed my lips together, catching myself before he baited me into losing my temper. “What do you want?”

“I want us.” He leaned across the table. “I want us to be the way we were.”

“You can never go home.” Shaking my head, I muted a sigh.

“Maeve, I was wrong to break up. When you mustered out, I didn’t want to hold you back.” His voice monotone, he stared into his coffee. Then he raised his gaze, imploring. “I convinced myself I was being noble, but I made a terrible mistake, and I’d love a second chance.”

“It’s too late. I’m in a new relationsh…partnership.”

“Which is it, a relationship or a partnership?” His face reddening, an angry V showed between his brows.

“A little of both.” Pleased at the team Luke and I made, I raised my chin.

He reached for his phone, showing me its wallpaper—our photo with dozens of hot-air balloons rising in the background. “Remember?”

“Albuquerque.” I nodded. “Good times.”

“We had a lot of good times.” His eyes snapped. “Hey, Albuquerque’s only a four-hour drive from El Paso—or we could take that kayak trip we always talked about through Big Bend’s Boquillas Canyon.” His face brightened. “What do you say?”

Big Bend. The name conjured images of the getaway with Luke, as well as Marianna and Ramon’s old homestead.

“I’ll take that smile as a yes.” Sitting back, he sipped his coffee.

I squinted. “What are you talking about?”

“You grinned when I mentioned that river trip, so I thought—”

“No, not at all.” I stifled a sigh. “You misread me.” Again.

His forehead wrinkled into a puzzled scowl, reminding me of the day I mustered out. He looks the way I felt—adrift, lost. Empathy softened my bitterness. “Cody, I don’t think you want to get back together as much as you want to find a familiar face.” I shrugged. “It’s easier than starting a new relationship—takes less energy.”

“No, I want to right a wrong. I screwed up what we had, and I’d like to make amends…start over.”

“That’s the second time this morning you’ve apologized.” I scratched my head. “Maybe you’re just looking for forgiveness…closure.”

“I thought splitting up was the right thing…for you. I just want you to understand why I broke up and know I’d never make that mistake again.” Reaching for my hand, he tugged my fingertips. “I never wanted to let you go, and I promise things will be different this time.”

My hand lay limp in his.

“What do you say?”

“You thought splitting up was the right thing…for me.” I parodied his words. “If you’d honestly been concerned about my welfare, you’d have discussed it with me, not broken our engagement.”

“I made a mistake.”

“Yeah, you did, a big mistake—”

“Maeve, you always gave without taking. This time, take me back.” He pulled my hand to his chest.

Taut muscles stretched his shirt as his torso rose and fell with each breath.

Synchronizing my breathing with his, I gazed into his blue eyes and saw the love I remembered. How could I forget?

****

Coffee turned into breakfast, then a tour around town.

“How did you end up in Fort Lincoln?” His shoulder brushed against mine as we walked.

“Long story.” I smiled, enjoying catching up with an old friend. “After we broke up and you were deployed, I was at loose ends. Then days before I mustered out, my grandmother passed away. I had no one and nowhere to go, and when I totaled my car—”

“How did you meet Luke?” His jawline hardened.

“He helped me after the accident.” Still amazed by the fluke of fate, I turned toward him. “Tuns out, we’re distant cousins.”

“Cousins?” He cracked a smile. “And you’re working at his vineyard?”

“Luke needed help. I needed a job.” I glossed over the physical attraction. “In the military, I had a routine—orders and schedules. After my discharge, I had no direction. Working at the vineyard gave me a sense of purpose.” I studied Cody’s body language, assessing him. “I’d had big expectations about civilian life…fantasizing about us and marriage…but they didn’t pan out.”

His chin dropping to his chest, he stared at the sidewalk.

“Loneliness is a powerful motivator. I’d understand if companionship were the only reason you contacted me, but I have to know. Why do you want to get back together?”

“I couldn’t get you off my mind in Afghanistan or Fort Carson, and now I can’t stop thinking of you in El Paso.” Meeting my gaze, he tucked a windblown strand of hair behind my ear. “I miss you. I miss us.”

His touch sent my pulse racing. Then the ache of separation slashed through the nostalgia like clippers lopping off vines. I can’t go through another breakup. I can’t take the chance. “Why do you miss me?”

“I just do.” He shrugged. “Who can say why?”

“Give me one reason.”

“I miss having you around. I miss us being a couple.”

“Specifically, what do you miss? The convenience? A ready-made plus one?” I shook my head. “No, I think you’re just lonely. Why don’t you adopt a dog or subscribe to a dating site?”

“Maeve, I miss you.” Wearing a wistful, half smile, he stared into the distance. “I miss the smell of your hair, the way your eyes would light up when you’d see me.” Then his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed, he turned toward me. “I’ve been thinking about the future, and I don’t see one without you. Can’t we patch things up…start over?”

Yes teetered on my tongue, but I shook my head. “You run hot and cold. How do I know you wouldn’t change your mind again?”

“Because I love you. I’ve always—”

“Then why did you break up with me?” I tilted my head, challenging him.

“Circumstances.” His voice cracked. “I was deployed and had no choice.”

“Circumstances didn’t call it quits. You did.”

“I didn’t want to stand in your way—”

“Are you sure it wasn’t the other way around…?” I tightened my eyes. “You didn’t want me standing in your way?”

“Look, Maeve, I was wrong.” He rubbed his neck. “I made the biggest mistake of my life, and I’d do anything to get you back.”

Despite his past performance, a part of me believed him…wanted to believe him…but his track record stopped me. “This is all too sudden.”

“What’s too—”

“You calling me last night, then showing up this morning.” Flashbacks of the breakup whizzed through my mind. “I’d resigned myself to never seeing you again. Now you’re here, professing your love.”

“If I didn’t realize it at the time, I do now. I love you.”

“Too little, too late.” I slumped, exhausted from sparring.

“What else can I do?”

“Take me home.” I spoke in a monotone, then sniffed. Home…do I even have one?

****

Refusing to meet Cody’s eyes, I stared out the window during the short drive, watching as the vineyard came into view.

Luke was in the fields, pruning the staked vines.

When the car turned onto the drive, he dropped his shears, straightened his spine, and started back toward the cabin.

At the door, Cody cut the engine. “Can I see you again?”

“That’s a bad idea.”`

“Then I’ll call. Maybe we—”

“No.” I shook my head.

“Can I write?”

“I don’t know. Can you?” Struggling to lighten the moment, I gave a wry laugh. But the significance of the conversation sobered me. “That’s the reason you gave for showing up this morning. You thought you could explain better in person.”

“Just let me write.” His Adam’s apple bobbing, he swallowed hard. “I don’t want to lose touch.”

“Isn’t it a little late for that?” You didn’t want me before. Now you do. Decide already.

Luke crossed the caliche drive, scowling as he approached.

“Take care, Cody.” Avoiding a confrontation, I hopped out of the car.

“I’ll write—”

“Don’t.” I slammed the door and waved.

As Luke joined me, Cody revved the engine and pulled away in a haze of dust.

“Your ‘friend’ seems in a hurry.” A vein pulsed at Luke’s neck as he eyed me. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah.” I had trouble meeting his gaze. “I’m fine.”

“Then why are you trembling?”

I looked at my shaking hands. “Just chilly, I guess.” Chafing my arms, I started for the cabin. “Let me get a jacket. I’ll be right back.”

“Just a minute.” He caught me by my shoulders and spun me toward him. “What’s Cody to you?”

I grimaced, both at the memories and the turns of events. “Until a few months ago, he was my fiancé.”

“And now?” His grip hardened.

“Nothing but an old friend.”

His hands dropped from my shoulders and hung limply at his sides. “You sure?”

****

Three weeks later, the attorney called.

Luke turned toward me as he hung up. “Bea’s requested a settlement conference.”

“Does that mean you have to go to court?”

“No.” He shook his head. “At least, not yet. This is a pretrial conference, just the lawyers meeting with the judge, but my attorney said Bea’s not able to establish the chain of title.”

“Because of her quitclaim deed?”

“Exactly. Marianna’s warranty deed proves legal ownership, and her wedding certificate establishes her as Mateo’s lawfully wedded wife.”

“Hopefully, this ends the rumor that Marianna had the baby out of wedlock.”

“One more thing, when Bea’s attorney submitted Mateo and Tina’s January 1899 wedding certificate, he couldn’t furnish any divorce-related document for his first marriage.”

“So technically, Mateo was a bigamist.” My brow shot up. “How will that stand up in court?”

“According to my attorney, bigamy invalidates the second marriage. In the eyes of Texas, Marianna was Mateo’s wife, while Tina was just his mistress with no property rights.” His smile was grim.

“Sounds like Bea doesn’t have a legal leg to stand on.” I sniffed.

“True, as Mateo’s wife and the surviving joint owner, Marianna would’ve inherited the property after his death. But since Mateo went one step further and deeded the property to her, the ownership is airtight.”

“So, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Not quite.” Luke took a deep breath. “I keep thinking about the county clerk’s warning. If Bea’s lived on the property for ten years, she could claim squatters’ rights.”

“And her family’s lived there over a century, right?”

Lips pressed together in a thin line, he nodded. “This pretrial conference could go either way.”

“Wouldn’t you like to be a fly on the wall?”

****

The next afternoon, Luke replaced the receiver, scowling.

“Uh, oh. I know that expression.” I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “What did your attorney say?”

“The county clerk was spot on. Bea claimed squatters’ rights.”

“So, despite the fact that she can’t prove ownership, she could win, anyway?”

“Because her family’s made improvements and planted a vineyard—even though Bea’s let it go to weeds—the court could rule in her favor.” He growled in his throat.

“What happens now?

“The attorney said Bea has to meet five requirements to win.” He counted off on his fingers. “Hostile claim, actual possess—”

“Can you summarize?” I wrinkled my nose.

“Sure.” His eyelids creased in a smile. “Bea meets the first three conditions, but the case hinges on whether her occupation was continuous and exclusive for the past ten years.”

“Wasn’t it?”

“Not exactly.” He grimaced. “She attended school for five of those and technically didn’t inherit the property until four years ago, when her mother passed.”

I chewed my lips. “So, her entire defense rests on timing…”

****

His nostrils flaring as he returned from the mailbox, Luke brandished the envelope.

I guessed the letter’s author from his expression. “I’ll read it later.”

“Don’t let me stop you.” A vein twitching at his neck, he turned and strode away.

I glanced at Cody’s handwriting. Crumpling the letter, I was about to toss it in the garbage, unread, until a morbid fascination overtook me.

Maeve, I’ve tried, but I can’t get you off my mind. You know the old saying—time heals all wounds. Not true, nothing heals the hurt. I can’t forget you, and I can’t replace you.

I regret my decisions and wish I could undo them. Won’t you please reconsider us—our life together? Call me when you get the chance. I really need to hear your voice.

Yours always,

Cody

My pulse raced until I relived the breakup. Why don’t his words mesh with my memories?

****

Two nights later, as I slipped into bed, my phone buzzed.

Cody—I understand if you need time to think things over, but I can’t imagine life without you. I was wrong to break up, and you didn’t deserve that treatment. Please give me a chance to start over.—

Another text woke me the next morning.

Cody—Remember that ramen shop in Fort Carson? I found a place in El Paso that makes Miso Ramen. How about lunch Saturday?—

****

A call at 2:00 am set Teddy barking. After glancing at Caller ID, I turned off the ringer, let Cody’s call go to voicemail, then listened as his words slurred against a noisy background.

“Maeve, don’t hold a grudge. I can’t imagine a future without you. I know you’re there. Please pick up. I need to hear your voice.”

****

On my way to the vineyard, my cell buzzed.

Cody—Morning, Sunshine—

A half hour later, another text.

Cody—How about lunch Saturday?—

An hour later, another.

Cody—What’s with the silent treatment? You still mad?—

I deleted the messages. Then just before noon, my cell rang. I glimpsed Caller ID and let voicemail grab Cody’s call.

While eating lunch on the patio, my phone rang again.

“Aren’t you going to answer?” His eyes glassy, Luke set down his sandwich.

I shook my head as I silenced the ringer.

Seconds later, it buzzed.

“Trouble in paradise?” Despite his sarcastic tone, Luke’s half-smile was empathetic.

I read his body language, debating whether to confide, then sighed. “I don’t get it.”

“Get what?”

“Cody broke off our engagement. Now, he not only wants me back, but he accuses me of holding a grudge.”

“Are you holding a grudge”—his brow quirked—“or setting boundaries?”

Phrased that way, I smiled. “Sounds like you’ve been there.”

Luke’s laugh was a short snort. “You could say that, but before we get into that topic, I have to know. Are you over Cody?”

I swallowed hard. Am I?

****

Her phone buzzed again.

She flinched, then pressed the off button until the screen went dark. “Yes, I am.”

Relieved, Luke took a deep breath. “I’ve always sensed a ghost between us.”

“Marianna?”

“No, your past.” Chuckling, he shook his head. “I just didn’t know his name until recently.”

She glanced at the phone.

“Yeah, I’ve also had experience with an ex, who wouldn’t let go.”

“Bea?”

“The barrage of regrets, promises, and accusations is upsetting”—he sighed—“especially in the beginning.”

“What did you do?”

“I asked her to stop. When that failed, I told her to leave me alone in no uncertain terms.”

“Did it work?”

“What do you think?” As he gathered their paper plates, he grimaced, recalling the circumstances. “That tack only made her confrontational.”

“So, then what?”

“I blocked her phone number.”

“But she lives next door.” Maeve glanced across the vineyard.

“When Bea would ‘drop by,’ I’d tell her she wasn’t welcome. Actually, ‘Get out’ were my words.” He covered the container of potato salad, then pointed to the creek dividing the two vineyards. “Just like property boundaries, you’ve got to define your personal space.”

“Put up proverbial fences.”

He nodded. “Define what’s acceptable and what isn’t. If he annoys you, tell him. If that doesn’t work, block his calls. Return his letters unopened.”

****

“What if he shows up here again?” I chewed my lip. “What should I do?”

“Just whistle.” Luke flashed a smile. “I’d be happy to send him packing.” He met my gaze and held it a beat too long.

Speechless, I stared, unable to break the link. Why couldn’t I see what was right before my eyes? Maybe Marianna and Mateo weren’t responsible for any physical attraction. Maybe the only ghost clouding my vision was Cody.

****

Before going to bed that night, I turned on my phone to find twenty-four texts, six phone calls, and five voicemails.

I scrolled through the messages.—

Cody—Are you there? Call me—

Cody—Hey! I miss your smile—

Cody—Text me, will you?—

Cody—I messed up. Can we talk?—

Cody—I can’t sleep. Nightmares keep me awake—

Nightmares? Didn’t he mention nightmares before he broke our engagement? Searching for an explanation, I skimmed the other texts, but none shed light. Then as I read the last text, I drew a sharp breath.

Cody—I never stopped loving you—

How dare he use that word? Love is working together toward shared goals…caring for someone more than yourself. Luke came to mind.

Cody’s clinging emptiness left me cold. When the phone buzzed in my hands, I knew what I had to do. “Yes.”

“Hey, it’s good to hear your voice.”

“Cody, this calling and texting has got to sto—”

“Come on, Maeve. Be reasonable.”

“I am being reasonable.” As my blood pressure rose, so did my voice. “You broke up with me, and there’s no going back.”

“I’ve told you how much I regret that. I swear it’ll never happen again.”

“No, it’s too late. Once and for all, it’s over. We’re over.”

“You don’t mean that. You’re just upset.”

“I do mean it. Don’t call or text anymore.”

“Take as much time as you need. Tell you what. I’ll call you in the morn—”

“Are you listening?” I paused, counting to five. “Call or text me again, and I’ll block your number.” My fingers shaking, I hit disconnect.

The phone rang. Cody displayed on Caller ID.

Two clicks, and it was done. Then breathing deeply, I leaned back against the headboard.

The phone rang once. Caller ID displayed Blocked and disconnected.

After seven repeats, I powered off my phone. Is that it?