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Rhett didn’t go out much anymore.
He had his obligations to the ranch, his family and his riding… that was really it. Long gone were the days of drinking at the bar or getting up to anything because when you disappeared, his heart and soul went wherever you went. He’d even been considered a suspect in your disappearance which hurt but he understood. He promised to do whatever it took to get you back. Unfortunately though, after some time you were presumed dead and there was even a small funeral with an empty grave. That was the first time he let anyone see him cry… no. Sob.
He had this unspoken bond with Perry, now that he understood the heartache that came with such a loss. Even though neither of them would actually talk to each other about it, the mornings and time spent around each other on the ranch were less tense.
It’s been a year since you disappeared and your simple gravestone still looked new since Rhett made sure to come by and clean it once a week. It was his chance to talk to you.
He took off his hat as he approached your site and took a deep breath. His eyes bloodshot from crying in his truck. “I really miss you darlin’” Rhett said quietly.
He bent down and traced your name with his fingers. “I planned on making you mine forever ya know?” He said to nothing. “I wasn’t sure what love really felt like until I met you.”
He tried to say more but the longer he sat perched over your stone, breathing felt like an impossible challenge and Perry did tell him that if breathing ever got hard, to just walk away.
So he did.
He’d be back to visit soon anyway but telling you he missed you was enough for one day.