The Ashtons - Cole, Abigail & Megan

her middle.
    His hand was less than steady when he rubbed the tension building at the back of his neck. He hated having to call attention to all the ways he came up lacking. But if that’s what it took to make her see reason, then that’s what he’d do.
    “Think about it, Abby. I don’t have a damned thing to offer you, or any other woman.” He shook his head. “Hell, I don’t even own my own place.”
    “And you think that matters to me?” she asked incredulously. “If that’s all you’re basing your opinion on—”
    “No, damn it, it’s not. Don’t you understand? I’m not good enough for you.” It looked like he was going to have to spell it out for her. “You’re a doctor of veterinary medicine, for God’s sake. What could you possibly see in a man with nothing more than a high-school education?”
    “I see a man who is kind, considerate and cares deeply about others,” she said softly. “And you’re an absolute genius when it comes to growing things.”
    Russ felt like he was getting nowhere fast, and the longer it took to convince her they could never make a go of it together, the bigger the chance his resolve would weaken. He hated himself for what he was about to say. It was a total lie, and he’d rather tear out his own heart than have to say the words that he knew would crush her emotionally. But it looked like he didn’t have a choice.
    “I thought you knew from the beginning that I was just showing you a good time while you were visiting The Vines. I didn’t realize that you thought things were getting serious between us.” He took a deep breath in order to force the lie past his tightening throat. “It’s been fun, but it’s time for both of us to move on.”
    She recoiled as if he’d struck her, and the horrified look on her face caused the knot twisting his gut toclench painfully. But as he watched, she raised her chin a notch and squared her slender shoulders.
    “I’m sorry I misunderstood the situation,” she said, her voice flat and emotionless. “I’ll be out of your way as soon as I get dressed.”
    Without another word, she turned, and Russ watched her walk proudly toward his bedroom. Even though she had to be hurting as much as he was, she wasn’t about to let him see her break down. It just wasn’t her style. She had more courage and class than that.
    Feeling like the biggest jerk who ever walked on two legs, he waited until she walked back into the living area. “I’ll drive you to the carriage house.”
    “That won’t be necessary,” she said, shaking her head. “I know the way.”
    “Yes, but—”
    “I’ll be fine, Russ. You said yourself that it’s over between us, and that includes you taking me anywhere.” The ring of finality in her words just about tore him apart.
    When she reached for the doorknob, he had to clench his fists at his sides to keep from reaching for her. “Goodbye, Abby.”
    He wasn’t surprised when she didn’t answer him and simply stepped out onto the small porch and closed the door behind her. The quiet click as she pulled it shut sounded like a cannon going off in the ominously silentroom. And for the first time since losing his folks in that car accident eleven years ago, Russ found himself fighting back a wave of emotion so strong, it all but knocked him to his knees.
    “Why am I not surprised to find you here?”
    When Russ looked up to find Lucas and Caroline’s son, Mason, walking toward him down the center aisle of the stables, he smiled. “Probably because it’s winter and I don’t have a whole hell of a lot to do in the vineyard.” Seeing each other for the first time in months, the two friends hugged like brothers. “How was France?”
    Mason gave him a teasing grin. “The wine is so-so compared to what we make here at Louret, the food is good and the women…well, they’re French.”
    Russ chuckled. “And you’ve sampled your share of all three.”
    “Oh, yeah.” Mason laughed. “Wouldn’t you?”
    “Probably,” Russ said, noncommittally. Being with any woman other than Abby held about as much appeal to him as having a root canal.
    “Whoa! Back up there, buddy.” Mason’s blue eyes twinkled with mischief. “What’s happened while I was gone? Did some woman take you off the market?”
    “No.”
    Mason’s easy expression faded into a look of concern. “What’s going on, Russ?”
    “Nothing.” He should have known his best friend would pick up on his pensive mood. Forcing a