Sweat beaded on her forehead as she swayed in the saddle to the rhythm of her horse. Spring was coming to a close, and hot summer heat would soon fill the days. And yet, her life felt like a cold winter blizzard had frozen her in time. She was sick of this life. She was tired of chasing bad guys for money, of being on the trail for days at a time without shelter, with boring food and risks everywhere. This life no longer held any appeal, if it ever had. She wanted to go home, crawl in her bed, and sleep for days. Sleep until this sadness that pumped with each beat of her heart was gone. Sleep until her chest no longer throbbed with anguish at the memory of the two of them entwined together. Zach had chosen to save his brother over having a life with her. That knowledge left her feeling hollow like all her blood had emptied out of her body, leaving her bereft and lacking. What she’d thought was love, he’d tossed aside then ridden out of town without so much as a backwards glance.
