Cowboy’s Healing Heart

14. Broken Bridges

FOURTEEN

brOKEN brIDGES

SHANE

I step out of the limo, the familiar weight of my tailored suit settling on my shoulders like armor. The sprawling estate looms before us, a monument to wealth and power that I once called home. Now, it feels like a stranger's house.

"Holy shit," Krystal whispers beside me, her eyes wide as she takes in the mansion's imposing facade. "This is where you live?"

I nod, forcing a smile. "Welcome home."

Ashanti bounces on her toes, her excitement palpable. "It's like a castle, Mom!"

I watch as the staff lines up to greet us, their faces a mask of polite deference. It's a far cry from the easy camaraderie of the ranch, and I feel my jaw tighten. This isn't the life I want for us, but it's the one we have to navigate for now.

"Mr. Kennedy," the head butler steps forward, his voice crisp and formal. "Welcome back. We've prepared the east wing for your... guests."

I catch the slight hesitation, the unspoken judgment in his tone. My hand finds the small of Krystal's back, a silent show of support. "Thank you, Gaston. Ms. Duncan and her daughter will stay with me in the main suite."

Gaston blinks, surprise flickering across his face before he schools his features. "Of course, sir. Shall I have their belongings moved?"

"Yes, please." I turn to Krystal, who's watching the exchange with a guarded expression. "Let's head inside. I'll give you the grand tour."

As we walk through the opulent foyer, I can't help but notice how out of place Krystal looks in her jeans and work boots. She holds her head high, but I see the tension in her shoulders, the way her eyes dart around, taking in every detail.

"This place is huge," she murmurs, her voice echoing slightly in the cavernous space.

I squeeze her hand. "It's just a house."

She shoots me a look that says she doesn't believe me for a second. I don't blame her.

We make our way through room after room, each more lavish than the last. Ashanti's eyes grow wider with each new discovery, but Krystal's expression becomes more closed off. By the time we reach the main suite, she's practically vibrating with tension.

"And this is where we'll be staying," I say, pushing open the double doors to reveal a space larger than her entire cabin at the ranch.

Krystal steps inside, her gaze sweeping over the king-sized bed, the sitting area, and the massive windows overlooking the manicured grounds. She turns to me, her eyes unreadable. "Shane, this is..."

Before she can finish, my phone buzzes. I pull it out, grimacing at the name on the screen. "I have to take this. Make yourselves comfortable. I'll be right back."

I step into the hallway, bringing the phone to my ear. "Father."

"Shane, you should be here." his voice is sharp, brooking no argument. "The DoD representatives are here early.

I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I just got here. I need to get Krystal and Ashanti settled?—"

"They have the staff for that," he cuts me off. "This is more important. I expect you here in an hour."

The line goes dead before I can respond. I take a deep breath, steeling myself before heading back into the suite.

Krystal's standing by the window, her arms wrapped around herself. She turns as I enter, and I see the question in her eyes before she even speaks.

"You have to go, don't you?"

I nod, hating the resignation in her voice. "I'm sorry. There's an emergency at Innoventis. I'll be back as soon as I can."

She forces a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "It's fine. We'll be okay. What time will you be back?"

"Dinner."

I cross the room in three strides, pulling her into my arms. She stiffens for a moment before melting into my embrace. I kiss her deeply, trying to convey everything I can't say in words.

When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers. "I love you," I murmur.

"I love you too," she whispers back.

"You too, Rocky." I pull her in for a hug, wrapping my arms around her small frame and kissing the top of her head.

"Ha ha ha… You taught me the moves." She holds me tight, and we pause for a second.

"Do me a favor."

Ashanti pulls back and looks up at me. "Sure."

"Text me when you see your surprise. And take care of your mother for me."

Her wiggles with excitement. "What did you do?"

"It's a surprise." I return her contagious smile.

"Got it!" she replies with a decisive nod, a serious expression crossing her face that makes me chuckle.

"Okay. I gotta go." I kiss the top of her head again with my gaze on Krystal, knowing they'll need a little extra love and support.

I mouth, love you.

"Get going. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll get back."

"Yes, KD."

Krystal wags her head and smiles. The first real smile I've seen since we boarded the private plane.

As I turn to leave, I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror. The man staring back at me is a stranger—polished, professional, every inch the CEO my father wants me to be. I barely recognize myself.

With one last look at Krystal, I stride out of the room, already feeling the weight of expectations settling on my shoulders. This is my world now, whether I like it or not. And I have to make it work, for all our sakes.

The drive to Innoventis headquarters is a blur of city traffic and looming skyscrapers. By the time I step into the sleek, modern lobby, I've fully slipped into CEO mode. My stride is purposeful, my expression neutral as I nod to employees who scramble to get out of my way.

"Mr. Kennedy," my father's assistant greets me as I exit the elevator on the top floor. "They're waiting for you in the boardroom."

I give her a curt nod, straightening my tie as I approach the double doors. Taking a deep breath, I push them open, stepping into the lion's den.

My father stands at the head of the table, flanked by our top executives and a group of stern-faced men I assume are the DoD representatives. He looks up as I enter, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Gentlemen," I say, my voice carrying across the room. "I apologize for the delay. Shall we begin?"

For the next several hours, I'm immersed in a world of contracts, specifications, and thinly veiled threats. It's a dance I know well, one I've been trained for since childhood. I find myself slipping back into old patterns, my voice taking on a harder edge as I negotiate terms and defend our company's interests.

It's not until the meeting finally adjourns that I realize how much time has passed. The sun is setting outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across the city skyline.

"Well done," my father says, clapping me on the shoulder as the last of the DoD representatives file out. "I knew you still had it in you."

I force a smile, ignoring the knot in my stomach. "Thanks, Father. If that's all, I should get back?—"

"Not so fast," he cuts me off. "We need to discuss the next steps. This contract is just the beginning."

I glance at my watch, thinking of Krystal and Ashanti waiting for me at the estate. "Can't it wait until tomorrow?"

My father's eyes harden. "This is more important than playing house with your... girlfriend."

The dismissive tone in his voice sets my teeth on edge. "Fiancée," I correct him, my voice low and dangerous. "And she is important."

He waves a hand as if brushing away an annoying fly. "Of course, of course. But right now, we need to focus on the company. You've been away too long, Shane. It's time to step up and take your rightful place."

I open my mouth to argue, but the words die in my throat. This is what I came back for, isn't it? To secure our future, to protect Krystal and Ashanti? I can't afford to rock the boat now.

"Fine," I say, my jaw clenched. "Let's get this over with."

Hours later, I finally make it back to the estate. The house is quiet, and most of the lights are already off. I loosen my tie as I make my way up to the main suite, feeling the day's weight pressing down on me.

I push open the door, expecting to find Krystal asleep. Instead, she's sitting in one of the armchairs by the window, staring out at the darkened grounds with a book in her lap.

"Hey," I say softly, not wanting to startle her.

She turns, and I see the exhaustion in her eyes. "Hey, yourself. Long day?"

I nod, shrugging off my jacket. "You could say that. How was everything here?"

Krystal's quiet for a moment, and I can see her wrestling with how to answer. "It was... different," she finally says. "Your mother stopped by."

My stomach drops. "What? When?"

"This afternoon. She wanted to welcome us to New York." Her tone is carefully neutral, but I can hear the tension underneath.

I cross the room, kneeling in front of her chair. "Krystal, I'm so sorry. I should have been here."

She shakes her head, reaching out to cup my cheek. "It's okay. We survived."

But I can see in her eyes that it wasn't okay. That she felt out of place and judged. That my mother probably said or did something to make her feel unwelcome.

I take her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Tell me what happened."

Krystal sighs, her fingers tracing patterns on my skin. "It wasn't anything specific. Just... little comments. Questions about my background, about Ashanti's father. Your mother kept talking about how 'exotic' I look."

Anger flares in my chest. "I'll talk to her. Make it clear that?—"

"No," Krystal cuts me off. "I can handle it. I just... I need to know that we're in this together. That this isn't going to change us."

I look up at her, seeing the vulnerability in her eyes. This strong, fierce woman who's faced down so much in her life is now unsure in the face of my world.

"Nothing's going to change us," I say firmly, pulling her into my arms. "I love you, Krystal. You and Ashanti are my family now."

She melts into my embrace, and I feel some of the tension leave her body. But as I hold her, I can't shake the nagging feeling that I'm already failing her. That by bringing her into this world, I'm asking her to change who she is.

I watch Krystal move around the room as we get ready for bed. She looks small in this massive space, out of place among the opulent furnishings. I think of her cabin at the ranch, cozy and filled with warmth. I think of the easy rhythm we'd fallen into there, so different from the stilted formality of this house.

"What are you thinking?" Krystal asks, catching me staring.

I shake my head, forcing a smile. "Nothing. Just glad you're here."

I move closer to Krystal, feeling the pull of her presence. My lips curl into a smoldering smile as an idea forms in my mind. "You know," I say, my voice low and husky, "we haven't properly christened this bed yet."

As the words leave my mouth, I watch the tension melt from Krystal's body. Her eyes sparkled, a blend of longing and mischief flickering within them.

"Is that so, Mr. Kennedy?" she purrs, closing the distance between us.

The world outside fades away as we focus solely on each other. The stress of the day is forgotten I focus on the heat desire in Krystal's gaze. I reach out, my hand cupping her face gently.

Then our lips meet, and I feel a surge of emotion. This is what matters.

I wake before dawn, my body still on ranch time. Krystal sleeps soundly beside me, her face peaceful in the dim light. I brush a kiss against her forehead before slipping out of bed, careful not to wake her.

In the home gym, I lose myself in the familiar rhythm of my workout. Push-ups, sit-ups, weights—the routine grounds me and helps clear my head. But as I finish my final set, I catch sight of myself in the mirror.

The man staring back at me is a stranger.

Polished, professional, every inch the CEO my father wants me to be. Gone is the relaxed ranch hand, replaced by someone I thought I'd left behind.

I shower and dress quickly, donning another impeccable suit by the time I make it to the kitchen, Krystal and Ashanti are both looking slightly overwhelmed by the massive space.

"Morning," I say, kissing Krystal's cheek. "How'd you sleep?"

"Like a rock," Ashanti pipes up, her mouth full of cereal. "This place is awesome, Mr. Shane!"

I grip her head, place a kiss on top, and wink at Krystal. She rolls her eyes, and the conversation resumes.

Ashanti turns in her chair, eyes blazing, and swallows her cereal quickly. "And Mr. Shane, the horse! I can't believe you got me a horse!"

My heart swells with joy at her excitement. I wish I could have been there to see her reaction when she first saw the horse, but I had an international conference call. "I'm sorry I missed your first meeting. What do you think of her?"

"She's beautiful!" Ashanti gushes, her hands moving animatedly as she speaks. "She's got this shiny black coat and a white star on her forehead. I named her Starlight!"

I chuckle at her enthusiasm. "That's a perfect name. I've arranged for a riding coach to give you lessons if that's all right with your mother."

Ashanti's eyes widen, and she turns to Krystal with a pleading look. I follow her gaze, meeting Krystal's eyes over the rim of her morning coffee cup. There's a softness in her expression that warms my heart.

Krystal nods, a small smile playing on her lips. "I think that sounds wonderful."

Ashanti lets out a squeal of delight, nearly knocking over her cereal bowl in her excitement. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

I try to absorb the joy in her smile, and store it away for when the darkness becomes overwhelming. "You're welcome, baby girl. We'll set up your first lesson soon."

As I watch Ashanti bounce in her seat, chattering about all the things she wants to learn, I feel a sense of rightness settles over me. This is what I want—to bring happiness to these two incredible people who have become my world.

Ashanti heads back to her room to get ready, leaving Krystal and me alone.

Krystal's quieter, nursing a cup of coffee. "You're up early for a Sunday morning," she observes.

I nod, pouring myself a cup. "Heading into the office. Lots to catch up on."

She raises an eyebrow. "We have a whole day in the city planned."

Guilt twists in my gut. "I'm sorry, babe. This contract is crucial. I promise we'll do something next weekend, okay?"

I pull out my wallet, flipping it open to reveal my sleek black credit card, embossed with the Innoventis logo. The distinct sound of the plastic card sliding free echoes in the quiet kitchen as I place it deliberately on the island between us.

Krystal's eyes flicker to the card, and for a moment, I'm confident this will hold them over until I return. Her neck snaps like she's been slapped.

"Are you fuckin' kidding me?"

"Don't do this." I move closer and place a kiss on her lips.

Krystal doesn't pull away, so I take advantage, sweeping my tongue across her bottom lip. She moans, and I can't help myself. My hands roam her body as my tongue explores her mouth, stroking in and out, craving more.

"Take it, babe." I pick up the card and slide it into her back pocket. "Enjoy the city. Get Rocky some gloves to carry in her backpack for her first day of school."

Krystal nods, but I see the disappointment in her eyes. Before I can say anything else, my phone buzzes. It's my father, reminding me of this morning's meeting.

"I've got to go," I say, downing the last of my coffee. "I'll try to be home for dinner."

I kiss Krystal goodbye, my lips lingering on hers. As I pull away, I see the uncertainty in her eyes. But I don't have time to address it now.

"Love you," I call over my shoulder as I head for the door.

"Love you too," she replies, her voice soft.

The drive to Innoventis is a blur of traffic and looming skyscrapers. My thoughts are consumed by the elements of the contract I need the legal team to review and the disclaimers the engineers need to confirm.

By the time I step into the sleek, modern lobby, I've fully slipped into CEO mode. My stride is purposeful, my expression neutral as I nod to employees who scramble to get out of my way.

In the boardroom, my father's already holding court, surrounded by executives hanging on his every word. He looks up as I enter, a hint of approval in his eyes.

"Ah, Shane. I'm glad you could finally join us. We were just reviewing the compliance and regulatory requirements."

I take my seat at the table. "Before we continue, I'd like to address the cybersecurity compliance protocols for the drone integration." I swing my gaze from the engineering director to the accounting director. "Have we received clearance from the DCAA on our proposed accounting standards for the classified aspects of the program?"

My question draws approving nods from around the table. It's clear they didn't expect me to be so up to speed after my time away. I feel a familiar sense of confidence settling over me as I delve into the intricacies of the contract, determined to prove that I haven't lost my edge.

I'm immersed in a world of profit margins and market shares for the next several hours. It's familiar territory, one I navigate with ease.

But as the day wears on, I can't shake the feeling that something's off. I'm counting down the time and wondering if Krystal and Ashanti are enjoying themselves.

The Shane who thrived in this world feels like a distant memory. The man I am now—the one who found peace on a ranch in South Dakota—doesn't quite fit.

It's late afternoon when I finally escape the endless meetings. I loosen my tie as I head for the elevator, already dreading the traffic that awaits me.

"Shane!"

I turn to see Courtney striding towards me, looking every inch the polished executive in her tailored suit. My stomach tightens at the sight of her.

"Courtney," I nod, keeping my voice neutral. "What can I do for you?"

She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "I was hoping we could get drinks. Catch up on old times."

I shake my head, already backing away. "No, thank you. I've got plans with Krystal and Ashanti."

Courtney's smile falters for a moment before she recovers. "Of course. Another time, perhaps."

I give her a noncommittal nod, my heart racing. I can't wait to get out of here. As the elevator doors close, I steal one last glance at Courtney. Her lips press into a firm line, eyes hard but steady, and the intensity of her gaze makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

Her eyes, usually cold and calculating, now burned with a fire I'd never seen before. The doors close, separating us, but I can still feel her gaze boring into me.

The traffic is as bad as I feared, and by the time I make it back to the estate, the sun has long since set. The house is quiet as I let myself in, most of the lights already off.

I find Krystal in the main suite, curled up in an armchair with a book, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm halo around her. As I step inside, a wave of relief washes over me, and my entire body relaxes at the sight of her.

Her presence instantly calms the storm that's taken up residence in my body since I agreed to return.

She looks up as I enter, and the world outside fades away for a brief moment. But as her gaze meets mine, I catch the shift in her expression. It's unreadable, a veil of emotions that leaves me wondering what she's been thinking while I was away.

My heart sinks as I realize our once vibrant and effortless connection is now weighed down by thick tension.

I step further into the room, the door closing behind me. I want to reach out, to bridge the distance that seems to have grown between us. I take a breath, steeling myself to face whatever lies beneath her calm exterior, wanting to uncover the truth of how she really feels.

"Hey," I say softly, loosening my tie. "Sorry, I'm late."

She shrugs, setting the book aside. "It's fine. We ate without you."

The words sting more than they should. I cross the room, kneeling in front of her chair. "I'm sorry, babe. Things got crazy at the office. Did you get everything Ashanti needs for school?"

"Yeah, she's all set." Krystal nods, but I can see the distance in her eyes.

How can I explain the pressure I'm under?

I take her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I'll make it up to you. I promise."

"Sure." She smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

As we get ready for bed, I can't shake the feeling that we're drifting apart. That with every day that passes, we're losing a little bit of what we had at the ranch.

I pull Krystal close as we settle into bed, breathing in the familiar scent of her skin.

"I love you," I murmur.

"I love you too," she whispers back.

But as I drift off to sleep, I can't shake the feeling that love might not be enough to mend the widening rift between us.