Free Mindset by Elaine Dyer

house, leaving Cade standing there, wondering what in the hell had gone wrong.  One minute he was having the most incredible sex of his life with a woman he’d always wanted and thought he’d never have, and the next he was alone, chewing the dust she kicked up behind her and wondering how the hell he was going to salvage the situation, or even just get her to talk to him about it.  It didn’t occur to him until much later that she sure as hell didn’t need any help to get up on her damn horse then, did she? 
     
    ****
     
    Like a spring day after a cold, hard winter, that’s what Eva’s laughter was for Josh.  “That’s right, just hold the bottle up a little higher.  That’s it, you got it.”
     
    “You were hungry, weren’t you little guy?”  More laughter.  “Just look how fast he’s slurping this down!  Wow!  He’s so cute!  Why isn’t his mama feeding him, Josh?”
     
    “Well, sad to say, this poor guy is an orphan.  His mama didn’t make it through the delivery.  Most of the time, that’s not a problem for cows, but every once in awhile, things don’t go as planned, and this little guy’s delivery was just one of those times.”
     
    “Ahhh, poor baby.  I know how that feels.”
     
    “Me too, I guess.  My folks died together in a car accident when I was in high school.  Maybe Callie mentioned it?”
     
    “Yes, she did.  We’ve know each other since we were teenagers starting in the business together.  We kind of grew up together in a sense.  We were pretty inseparable, you know.  Everyone thought we were sisters with our long, dark hair.  She’s the best friend I’ve ever had.”
     
    “I remember her talking about you a lot when she’d come home.  Evita this, Evita that.”
     
    Eva smiled sadly.  “She and my mother are the only ones that ever called me that.  Now she’s the only one.  I’ve got something in common with you and this handsome guy.  My parents are both dead, also.  My dad died when I was about five, and my mother died about a year ago, from cancer.  I don’t remember my father too much, but I still miss my mother so much.”  She looked down to hide her misty eyes and saw the calf had finished up its milk and pulled the extra large bottle away.
     
    Josh touched her arm gently but kept his distance.  “I’m sorry for your loss, Evita.  I wish I could say that someday you’ll stop missing her, but I still miss my folks.  But someday, instead of tears, her memories will bring smiles to you face.  You’ll remember fun times you spent together, times she made you laugh.  My granddad always says that time heals all wounds, and for the most part, I think he’s right.”
     
    She stepped further away from him but smiled as she did so.  “Your granddad is full of words of wisdom, isn’t he?”
     
    “You bet he is!  He’s got a saying or some kind of advice for every situation you can come up against.  It’s funny, the older I get, the more I realize that he’s a really smart guy.”
     
    “He’s also very kind.  He’s given me a place to stay until I can get my life together.  Maybe he can offer me some advice on what to do with myself, because I don’t have a clue.”
     
    “I’ll bet he’d start by telling you to be patient with yourself and take some time off to think things through.  I don’t want to rush you, but you mentioned you could use some legal advice.  I’d be happy to talk to you whenever you’re ready.”
     
    Eva stood very still and took a deep breath.  Then, she took another one.  “Josh, I want to get a divorce.  But I want to do it quietly and as quickly as possible.  Here’s the thing:  I want to do it without going back to New York or seeing my husband again.  Is that possible?  Can you help me?”
     
    “Yes, Eva, I can.”  They both released another breath, one that Josh hadn’t even realized he’d been holding.
     
    They continued staring at each other until they were