Excerpt: Love Interrupted

“You need to finish your education, so…”
“So, what? So, I can get a job.” He shook his head. “I have a job. I’m going to be a rancher.”
Nausea swept through her middle. “I’m going to go throw my plate away.” She glared at him and reached for the food, but he caught her free hand.
He peered into her eyes, searching for an ounce of understanding. But she wouldn’t give it to him. Couldn’t give it to him.
“Katy, please. Don’t be like this.”
A tear trickled down her cheek. She batted at it and sniffed. “You promised, Jason. You said you were leaving this life behind. It was the information I needed before I could give you my heart.”
“How can you base your love on my occupation?”
Several of her guests stared their way. She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the yard. A chicken scurried between her legs, almost tripping her. She grimaced. And he wonders why I don’t want this life. “Listen to me. I love you more than you can imagine. And that doesn’t have to do with how you raise your money. But…” She took a deep breath. “When we first started dating, I held back. Remember?”
Katy knew he couldn’t forget. She had done everything possible to push him away, including going out with his best friend. However, Jason’s persistence paid off. But only after he said he wouldn’t be a rancher. “I don’t want to be a rancher’s wife. Don’t you get that?”
“I know, you’ve said that. We’ve been down this road before. But honestly, no, I don’t get it.” Jason shoved a hand through his short, brown hair, making it wild. Usually, she liked it when his hair did that. It was sexy. But not now. Not after—
“Katy, you’ve lived on a ranch since you were born. Your family has nice cars, you wear amazing clothes, you’ve never wanted for anything. What’s bad about this life?”
“Getting up at the crack of dawn. Working your fingers to the bone. Not resting until the cows come home. How many clichés will it take for me to help you understand?” She glanced through the doorway at her mother. There was a reason her ma was the way she was. The bitterness buried beneath her exterior had come from a loss of her dreams. Once upon a time, she was a country singer. Only two years touring, and she was offered a contract by a recording company in Tennessee. But she then she met her future husband and that all changed. There was no time for a rancher’s wife to be out chasing dreams. She had chores to do in order to survive.
“I went to college to fulfill my dreams, Jason.”
“I know.”
She turned away and watched the sun take its final bow behind the horizon. Though peaceful, the pink and orange glow through the trees did little to comfort her. She let out an exaggerated sigh.
“You’ll have your dreams, Katy. I promise.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “You say that now, but it won’t happen.”
“How can you say that?”
“Trust me.”
Silence filled the space between them. The laughter of kin enjoying her party rang behind the barn walls. It was supposed to be a happy day. My day.
As if reading her mind, Jason took her hand. “Let’s not ruin this celebration for you, okay?” He stepped close, his hard chest pressing against the back of her arm. “I’m sorry I brought it up now.”
She closed her eyes, forcing herself not to melt to his touch. “Fine. Let’s talk about it later.” Without satisfying him with a glance, she stormed back in the barn, leaving Jason in her dust.