Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

dress. "Judging by the size of his suitcase, I'd say he intends to stay awhile." I nearly choked on the words. I thought about what I was going to say before and those words just faded away. "I'll leave you to it. I'm going to bed."
    "Bryn, I'm sorry. I don't know what this is all about but it doesn't change…us."
    "So there is an us?"
    He kissed me. "I'd like to think there is."
    "So would I." I kissed him back, regretting the fact that I'd be sleeping alone in my own bed, wondering what the hell was going on.
    "He'll be gone by morning." Will buttoned his shirt and hastily tucked it in. "I'll see you tomorrow."
    I let him go and sought refuge in my own room. The house was too well built to even hear the faintest rumble of conversation from below. I huddled under the quilt in search of warmth, grateful that Will's scent lingered in the linen from the last time he'd slept in my room. I embraced the other pillow and fell asleep.
    Terry's car was still parked outside in the morning, hood garnished with damp leaves. I peered through the dining room window and found him leaning on the corral fence while Will worked with a horse.
    So much for being gone by morning.
    I returned to the kitchen to wash up after breakfast, trying not to slam pots and pans around, tempting as it was. When I'd finished and checked the guests out, I returned and helped myself to a coffee, sitting alone at the kitchen table. There was little point of waiting for Will to breeze in as he usually did.
    Give him a chance, for fuck's sake.
    I drank my coffee and stared through the screen door at the back porch, waiting like a devoted dog for the familiar clump of Will's footfall on the steps. They came soon enough, accompanied by the low rumble of conversation and another's footsteps. I kept my attention on my coffee and tried to pretend that everything was just fine.
    Will's grin was the same. He helped himself to a coffee, stooped to drop a kiss on the top of my head and sat down beside me. "Mornin'."
    "Morning." I smiled back at him, feeling foolish relief that some things remained unchanged.
    Terry grabbed a coffee and stared mutely at the sight of his ex sitting altogether too close to someone else. His eyebrows drew together when Will rested his arm across the back of my chair.
    "This is Terry," Will announced.
    I held out my hand and was rewarded with a clammy, weak clasp in return. "Nice to meet you." His cold blue stare said otherwise.
    "Nice to meet you too. Are you staying long?"
    He looked at Will. His Adam's apple bobbed. "I'm not sure. Will and I have some talking to do."
    Will stiffened beside me. His hand tightened around the coffee mug. "I've pretty much said all I want to say."
    "Well, I haven't."
    I didn't want to be there. Unspoken words burned between them. I wanted them out of the kitchen so I could do the day's baking in peace. I resisted the urge to kick Terry beneath the table. I hated to see the tense pallor on Will's face. The easy-going cowboy was gone, replaced by a quiet, unhappy man.
    I took a deep breath and waded in. "Dude, if Will's said his piece, maybe it is time you moved on. I'm not sure you want to outstay your welcome."
    "I'm not sure it's any business of yours." The chill in Terry's eyes deepened to Antarctic.
    "If you're staying in one of the guest rooms it is. I have a full house at the weekend."
    Will rested his hand on my arm. "It's all right, Bryn. He'll be long gone by then."
    I glared at Terry, because I could.
    He glared back. "You have plenty of other rooms."
    I finished my coffee. "I have baking to do. It's been interesting meeting you."
    Will set his coffee mug down. "I should get back to work. I have someone coming to look at a horse in an hour." He looked at Terry. "Whatever you have to say, you'd better say it quickly. I haven't the time for long, drawn-out discussions."
    "Not here." Terry scraped his chair across the floor and stood up. "Somewhere private."
    Will shrugged. "Let's get it over with." He rose and walked toward the screen door.
    Terry followed without a backwards glance.
    I resisted the childish urge to shoot him the bird as the door slammed closed behind him.
    I pulled the last batch of cookies from the oven and heard the front door slam. Moments later, Will swept into the kitchen and sank into a chair. "Thank Christ that's over."
    "He's gone?"
    "No. He's gone for a walk to cool off." He ran his fingers through his hair and stared at the tabletop. "I forgot how good he was at the