“Problems can be solved. We just gotta work harder at figuring it out.”

“It’s too much of a commitment . . . Honestly, I’m too young to make this kind of commitment. I need some freedom.”

His bronze complexion warmed a few shades more. “No.” Standing suddenly, he yanked me to my feet and anchored me in his arms. “No.” His crisp cologne, a mix of leather and citrus, blanketed me.

Holding my breath, I shoved out of his hold and moved down the small brick walk.

Heavy on my heels, Vance grabbed my wrist and whirled me around. “Austin. Please. I’m this close to finishing school.” He held up a hand and touched his thumb and index finger together.

“Good for you. That’ll come in handy when Miss Right comes along. Sorry, but it ain’t me.” My words were supposed to be a repellent. Instead, he stepped closer and took my face in his hands.

“Don’t do this, Austin,” Vance demanded in a gravelly whisper that hurt me to the core. “Don’t you dare.”

I answered with silence, shoring up the wall between us. Too many words shared would reveal too much, and he’d be less likely to walk away. The barn cat strolled out into the sunshine and stopped at my feet. I plucked her up and into my arms, knowing Vance’s aversion to cats would encourage him to keep his distance.

“Maybe you’re right about being too young, since you’re acting like a child with this silent treatment.” His lips pressed into a severe line as a disgusted look washed over his face.

“You should probably head on out.” I tipped my head toward his truck and took another step back, putting more distance between us. Tears burned trails down the back of my throat and I couldn’t help but wonder if a well-worn path had formed over the past few months. Hidden deep inside, it was the only choice I gave the tears and anger.

Hands tossed in the air, he began stomping toward his truck. His door slammed, the engine roared to life, and the truck did something I’d never witnessed before. It kicked up a dust storm as it sped down the dirt road.

Even though I knew my motive was to do him a favor, to free him of the sickness infecting the farm, my insides crumpled.

Placing the cat on the ground, I managed to stumble into the house, to the comforts of darkened rooms and heavy silence. Pa was still up in his room, so paralyzed by his desolation that he’d not been able to make it out of bed. And wasn’t that just fitting —misery certainly did love company.