Free A Real Cowboy Never Walks Away (Wyoming Rebels Book 4) by Stephanie Rowe

to Rogue Valley. He wasn't coming back. Chase had found his roots, and he didn't need to lean on his brothers anymore. Regret bit at Travis, regret that life hadn't turned out differently, disappointment that he hadn't had the capacity to be more than he was, to survive the way Chase had.
    But it was what it was. He'd go back on the road. He'd sing. He'd tour. He'd force his way through until the day came when he went to bed, and his soul gave up the fight. It wouldn't be long. He knew that. There was nothing left for him, and he could feel his soul dying with each passing day.
    Chase grinned. "Thanks. She makes me happy. Maybe you're next to find your woman, bro."
    Lissa flashed through his mind before he could stop it, but he quickly shook his head. "No."
    "No? What about Lissa McIntyre? Heard you helped her out last night." Chase gave him an appraising look, and Mira's smile widened.
    Travis stiffened. Last night had been his night. Private. Not public, not even for his brother. She was one light that he would take with him, the one moment of peace he'd been given in his life. "She was short-staffed. Just being neighborly."
    "You aren't neighborly," Chase said. "You hate the world."
    "Yeah, well, so it is what it is." He glanced at his watch. "I gotta go. I need to sign autographs in the main tent."
    "You coming to dinner this week?" Chase asked, not moving out of his way.
    Travis hesitated. A part of him wanted to go to the ranch one more time, to see his brothers, to see the place that had been his salvation during his youth. But at the same time, he knew he didn't belong there. There was no respite there from his nightmares, and he didn't want to go back there. "I'll try, but I don't think so."
    Chase scowled. "I don't know what's going on with you, Travis, but we've got your back. All of us. Whatever you need, whenever you need it."
    Travis nodded, his throat tightening at the same words Chase had said to him so long ago, when he'd been seven years old and scared to death that he was going to be killed by his father that night. He'd never forget that loyalty, but he also knew when there was nothing they could do. It was his battle, and he was losing. "I know, bro. Thanks."
    Mira touched his arm. "Come to dinner. Even for an hour."
    Travis inclined his head. "I'll try. Gotta go." He kissed Mira on the cheek, and brushed his fingers over the baby's head. "Catch you guys later."
    He ducked out before they could protest, but he heard their whispered concerns as he walked out of range.
    He was surprised at how much it hurt like hell to walk away from his brother's offer, but at the same time, he knew that if he showed up at the ranch and tried to fit into a life that didn't fit him anymore, it would shatter the fragile threads that were barely holding him together.

    * * *
    L ater that night , Lissa had to force a smile as she set the plates down in front of her customers. "I'm so sorry it took so long," she said, trying to keep the stress out of her voice. "Free dessert for the delay, okay?'
    She'd given away ten free desserts tonight, and she was afraid it wasn't enough. It was barely seven o'clock and she was already so behind. It was even busier than last night, and without help, she was never going to make it.
    No one had been available to help her out. Anyone who had free time had already been scooped up by another local business, and the rest of the Rogue Valley residents wanted to enjoy the fair, not waitress for tips and minimum wage.
    Tears burned at the back of her eyes as one of the customers shoved back his chair and stormed out, complaining loudly about the poor service. God, this was never going to work. She couldn't afford to lose her income from this week, but there was no way she could keep up. She'd have to shut down some of the tables and close part of the café. She'd have to turn away business…and then what? Start staying open for dinner every night to make up for the lost income? Never see her