Chapter 16

 

 

When they arrived home, Nizhoni informed them that Colby and Frank had come home only long enough to pack up some extra supplies and head east. Some of their stock had wandered off in search of better grazing, so the men needed to round them up and bring them back. They would be gone a few days.

 

Ginny had to admit that she was pleased by this. For one, she wouldn't have to deal with Colby. But it would also give her time to put her plan into action, getting Vas to see Georgia as something other than a child.

 

That night at dinner, Ginny made a few more subtle comments, directing Vas to what a good wife Georgia would make. How considerate she was for helping with the boy's schooling and what a wonderful mother she'd be someday. Vas smiled and acknowledged her comments, keeping quiet afterwards, hopefully thinking.

 

It wasn't until late the next day, after Ginny and Nate had worked through some challenging math equations together, that Ginny bumped into Vas again. He was mucking stalls in the barn, looking hot, sweaty and simply delicious. Ginny had to wonder why she wasn't grabbing him for herself.

 

“Hi Vas,” she said, walking over and sitting on one of the bales of hay.

 

“Hey Ginny,” Vas put the rake down and walked over to where she was sitting. “Where's Nate?”

 

“He's still working on math. Got to say, not my favorite subject.”

 

Vas smiled and took the seat next to her. Looking at his feet, he asked, “I was thinking about...” When he paused, Ginny turned and looked at him.

 

Prompting him, she said, “You were thinking about...”

 

“Aww, Ginny. I don't know how to tell you this.”

 

“May I suggest you just spit it out.” He looked at her, and she smiled back.

 

“I was thinking of courting Georgia.”

 

Ginny's face lit up like the sun. “That's great, Vas. I happen to know that she really cares about you too.”

 

“But... I thought... you and I...” It was almost sexy watching him sputter.

 

Putting her hand on his arm, he watched her intently. “I'm sorry if I led you on. To be honest, I really like you, but I don't think we were meant to be together. The kiss was... well, it was spectacular. But I obviously have a few things to work out with Colby before I can consider another man. Thanks for making me feel special.”

 

Vas turned his head slightly, then whispered, “You are special, Ginny. And if things don't work out with you and Colby, I know a few guys who would love to show you just how special you are.”

 

Strangely, Ginny felt tears in her eyes. She turned her head, not wanting Vas to see how she felt. She'd had two guys fall in love with her and make her their world. Maybe she was just getting used to the feeling. Colby did not make her feel that way, that was for sure.

 

Standing up to leave, Ginny said, “Thank you. If I can do anything to help you out, with Georgia I mean, just let me know.”

 

Ginny walked from the barn, feeling both elated and deflated. She was happy that Georgia would get her happy ever after. Still, being stuck in this limbo didn't sit well. She remembered how she sat for a year waiting for Colin to return. She certainly didn't want to go down that avenue again. Maybe it was time she moved things along. But how was she ever going to get Colby to stop being so angry with her and fall in love with her instead?