Roping Melanie by Melissa Ellen
27
Melanie
“She’s going to be upset when you leave again,” I said as I pushed the eggs around in the pan without even a backward glance at Nash.
I couldn’t look at him. I was barely keeping it together as it was. Seeing him and Avery on the couch together this morning, happy and bonding, did things to me. It made me want things that were impossible to have. It made me sad for my daughter for when her daddy left once again the next morning.
Nash was a rodeo man. And I knew enough to know that would always come first.
He set his cup on the counter and wrapped his arms around my waist. He kissed my shoulder and then said, “You could come with me.”
“Nash,” I said on a sigh.
We could. But that wouldn’t solve the bigger issues. We couldn’t go with him every time he left. Avery had school. And I had work. And what about the danger involved with what he did? It was hard enough to think about, the last thing I wanted was to watch him risk his life. Least of all, I wouldn’t want my daughter to see it.
“What?” he asked, confused.
“I can’t. You know I have to work.”
It was true, even if it was the easier excuse. How could I tell this man I was falling in love with him and wanted him to pick us over his job? I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t. It wouldn’t be fair.
“Take some time off,” he suggested. “You don’t need to work, Mel. I can take care of the both of you.”
My whole body went rigid in his arms. My stirring became more forceful as I drove the edge of the spatula a little harder against the bottom of the pan. “I don’t need you to take care of me, Nash. We’ve done just fine on our own all these years.”
“And there it is,” he scoffed, taking a step back, his arms falling away.
“There what is?” I asked, immediately defensive. Setting the spatula aside, I turned to face him, hoping I was misreading into his tone.
“You, shutting me out. It’s what you’re good at. You’re afraid to let anyone in and won’t accept any help. Hell, I can’t even pay your tab at Kathy’s without being worried you’ll be pissed.”
So it was him. I had my theories, but I hadn’t bothered to confirm it yet. I couldn’t even bother to process this bit of information, because I was so angry and hurt by his accusations. Had I not just thanked him for helping me with my car? Pissed, I snapped back. “You know what? You’re right. I think you should leave,” I said, crossing my arms.
“Is that what you really want?”
No. “Yes.”
“Fine.” He marched toward the door not bothering to look back before he slammed it closed. He slammed it so hard, it rattled the picture frames on the wall nearby.
“Where did Daddy go?” Avery asked, coming into the room, no doubt having heard his departure.
“He’s gone.”
“He’s coming back, though, right? He promised he’d take me to the rodeo.”
“Well he shouldn’t have done that without speaking to me first. We aren’t going.”
“Why not?”
“Because I said so!”
“I hate you!” she shouted back.
“Avery Cheyenne Madison, go to your room right now!” I pointed in that direction.
She growled and then stomped her feet down the hallway. Her door slammed behind her much the same way her father had done.
I slumped against the edge of the counter ready to cry. The burning smell of the eggs was the only thing to stop me.
“Shit!” I grabbed the pan from the burner, setting it aside, then shut off the stove. “Just great,” I mumbled.