100°

Bad Timing

They went to the barn.

"Wow, you've put in a lot of work out here," Lucy said glancing around.

"What are you doing here?" Tyler couldn't keep the tightness out of his voice.

"I came by to see you." Her voice was soft, like only days had past since he'd seen her.

"Why?" So many words could have followed but he halted them.

She seemed to realize he was pissed. "We - needed to talk."

"We needed to talk a year and a half ago. But you left." He was overwhelmed and irritated and was doing everything in his power not to yell.

"Tyler I-"

"I got a phone," he snapped. "You could have called before just popping up here like this."

"I'm sorry." All the expectation had drained from her face. Now it was a mix of worry and embarrassment.

The timing of all this was impeccable.

"I didn't mean to cause any issues. I had no idea you had a girlfriend."

Girlfriend?

Alex.

Did he need to give an explanation? She hadn't thought he needed one when she left.

But with all these gossipers it was likely she'd find out the truth soon enough.

"She's my money manager."

"Money manager?"

"Yeah. She works for me."

"Oh. And she lives here?"

Too many questions.

"Let's talk about you making yourself at home. You just show up and start cooking in my house?"

Lucy shook her head. "I didn't intend for it to be rude. Bobby said you were coming back from your trip. I figured you'd want something to eat when you got here."

Tyler felt his irritation growing.

"I wanted to do something nice for you." Her eyes and her voice lowered. "I know it was wrong how I left."

Tyler really didn't want to feel anything but he did. He also didn't want to remember how many times he'd been right out here, imagining this very thing happening.

One thing he always had trouble with was letting go. Whether it was a person or an idea, it was always tough. Then you could layer his stubbornness on top of it.

Lucy was his sure shot.

They'd known each other since they were small and he knew they'd be together forever.

Sappy sounding maybe, but he knew it.

And they'd been happy.

Or so he thought. Since he'd never gotten his explanation he chalked it up to her being tired of Texas and ranch life. Probably him too. Then decided she could do better and have better with someone else, somewhere else. So she split.

And the only thing he got was a phone call from his aunt confirming she was gone. She didn't even leave a note he could have read then tore up. The memories took him back to it. And the feelings crept up his spine.

Not knowing anything.

Not feeling good enough.

And the cherry on top was not long after, he found out about the farm and all the money being gone.