He was in love; there was no arguing that fact. And truly, how could he not be? There was the blatantly obvious love of her body, something many males shared in common with him. Long auburn hair, deep brown eyes and a work toned body that made women, like Rachel Slocum, jealous and men, like him, lustful.
But it had turned into something more meaningful, a long time ago for him. He examined her true character often and couldn't find anything that he didn't like.
She was strong-willed, courageous, loving and kind. She put her heart into everything that she did, and when determined, a hundred horses couldn't drag her away. But, she wasn't his, and probably never would be. Her heart belonged to another, and he vowed that he would never be the one to stand in the way of her happiness, in sacrifice of his own. It killed him though, every time he saw her in another man's arms. Jealousy and envy consumed him each time he saw the couple kiss and hug, for he wanted nothing more than to be her man.
Time passed, but the cowboy remained silent about his unrequited love. That is he did, until one fateful night. It was a few nights after Christmas and the ranch looked picturesque covered in a layer of snow, and with fires lit in the hearths. The unknowing girl came flying out of the main house and towards him without warning.
She looked especially beautiful that night, better than he could have even dreamed. Her tanned cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright with excitement. He was so wrapped up with staring at her that he didn't pay attention to what she was saying. He didn't even understand until she held up her slender hand and revealed a sparkling new engagement ring.
He lost it then. Years of pent up emotions and denied feelings came flooding though him with a surprising intensity, so without thinking, he told her. He told her of every feeling, of how he was in love with her and how he wanted a chance to prove himself to her. He placed his heart on the line not thinking of the consequences.
She looked at him, devastated. The revelation had taken her off guard, and though she hated hurting anyone, she had no option. Tears welled up in her eyes, replacing her earlier excitement. She eventually chocked out that she didn't, and couldn't ever love him. She was in love with her new fiancée and wasn't going to jeopardize that for his unreturned feelings. She said that she was sorry and ran off.
He regretted it instantly. He had just ruined his friendship with her fiancée and probably her as well. She would no longer be his friend, she wouldn't be his anything. His confession was all for nothing. For the first time in years, the cowboy sat down in the snow, and cried.
He sat in the pews on that special day. He had been dreading it for months now. It seemed so final now. She wasn't ever going to look at him twice, let alone walk down that aisle to be with him. He turned around when the music began playing. She was a vision dressed in white and with the glowing aura that came with true happiness. He could only wish that her father was giving her away to him.
He watched the ceremony in silence and soon headed to the reception with everyone else. He remained silent, unwilling to talk to all of the happy individuals. He made it through an hour before it became too much for him. Seeing her dance, and laugh and kiss someone else tore through him with fresh pain. He grabbed his Stetson and hopped into his truck, and headed home. She didn't love him he thought, but truly how could she?
After all, she was a perfect angel, and he was just a red-headed cowboy.