Mason (Remington Ranch Book 1) (Contemporary Western Romance) by SJ McCoy

broke it all off, I was madder than hell. I'm starting to think that I should have tracked her down and made her explain. This is the first time I've pushed her, and she couldn't bring herself to say that she doesn't love me anymore!”
    Shane looked at him. “I don't know what to say, Mase. I've badgered both of you for all this time to just sit down and talk to each other. I never understood why she did what she did and I never understood why you let your pride stop you from going after her.”
    Mason rubbed his hand over his eyes. “Because I'm a complete asshole! That's all I can think of.”
    Shane grinned. “I didn't like to mention that possibility. There's no point beating yourself up for what's already gone, though. What are you going to do now? That's what matters.”
    Mason shrugged. “She said this guy of hers is going to be here this weekend. That I should come meet him at Chico. She seems to think he can put me off. I think I can put him off. I'm definitely going to go. But what the hell I'm going to do when I get there, I don't know. You're going to come with me, right?”
    Shane laughed. “You know it, bro.”
    “What did her old man say about this guy? I don't even know his name.”
    “Al has never met him, but from the way he talked, he doesn't like the idea of him. You know he's always wanted to see the two of you back together. I'd say he's got even more reason to want that now, too.”
    “Why's that?”
    “Think about it. If you and Gina got back together, she'd come back here. Al wouldn't have to go to New York because Gina wouldn't be there anymore.”
    Mason did think about it. “You really think there's a chance she'd have me back?” He could hardly dare to hope. But since he'd seen her in Gardiner, he couldn't help but hope. He'd known she wouldn't be able to tell him she didn't want him. The physical attraction and connection they shared had always been strong. Stronger than any other he'd known. The other night in her dad's kitchen had proved it was still as undeniable as ever. What had given him real hope was when he'd seen the struggle on her face, seen her eyes fill with tears. She wouldn't have been like that if she didn't care, if she didn't… And she hadn't been able to tell him that she didn't love him. That put a whole different spin on everything.
    There were a few details that stood in the way though. Details like a fiancé who was going to be here this weekend, and a life and career that she had in New York. Still, if she loved him, nothing would be able to stand in the way. He'd driven himself crazy these last few days, thinking about it all, finally admitting to himself that he still loved her. That he always had, and that he'd been stupid to accept that she meant it when she'd said it was over between them.
    Chance came in the back door. He kicked out of his boots and hung his hat and coat on the rack before coming through. “What's up, guys?”
    Shane grinned at him. “We're making plans to go to Chico this weekend. You coming?”
    “I could do. It's been a while. Is there a good band coming?”
    Shane laughed. “I don't know who's playing. All I know is that big brother is going to go meet Gina's fiancé and I need to be there for that.”
    Chance turned to Mason. “What's the plan?”
    Mason shrugged. “There isn't one. All I know is that I'm not going to give her up without a fight this time.”
    “Good. Then count me in.”
    ~ ~ ~
    Gina sat by the big fireplace in the Bozeman airport. She shuddered in spite of the warmth. Nothing about this trip was working out the way it was supposed to. Liam had insisted that the real estate market was picking up all over the country and that she should get her dad's place up for sale. That it would sell fast. The realtors had told her a very different story—that it was taking at least six months to a year to sell properties like her dad's. She'd thought that while she was here, she would perhaps be able to catch up with