NATHAN'S POV

Whenever I was stressed I liked going horse riding to clear my head. It usually helped that's why I was saddling Forest up for a ride. It was early in the morning, Savannah had already taken the kids to school and the workers were already up and about going on about their responsibilities. I had work to do too but I was too distracted to amount to anything good.

After I was done I adjusted my prosthetic and hopped onto Forest beginning on a small trot at first before gaining speed. It felt good to have the wind on my face, hearing Forest's hooves beating against the ground, the rush of the river that ran across the ranch accompanied by all sounds from the farm animals.

I loved my life at the ranch, I was never much of a city boy that's why I wasn't surprised when Donna dumped me before she moved to DC. I was hurt yes but I also knew she was right, I would not have fit into the rushed life that came with the city. Sure I'd fought my brother about not wanting to inherit the ranch with him but deep down I'd known that in the end that's where I'd end up. I had wanted to live my life first and I had done that by going to college and working at the oil rig, it just ended sooner that I would have liked.

Now Donna was back and I was supposed to go on a date with her in a few hours. It felt wrong, it was wrong but I was a man of my word and I would go. I didn't want to but I would go.

Donna had been back in my life a few days and she was already starting to mess it up starting with my prospective love, Savannah. Ever since her run in with Donna the previous day she wasn't talking to me. We were back to square one even after I'd worked so hard to mend our relationship on Sunday.

Why was she mad at me though? Did it mean that she had feelings for me? Was she actually jealous? That thought made me happier than I should have been considering it wasn't even confirmed. I wanted Savannah to be jealous because then it meant that she had feelings for me. I needed to get over my fear of rejection and ask her out but I needed to get rid of Donna first.

I decided to stop by the river to allow forest have a drink and a much needed break. I rested under a tree while Forest grazed close by and that's how Raul found me, completely lost in thought.

"I know that look."He chuckled dropping himself next to me.

"Go away."I mumbled pissed off that he was ruining my alone time.

"I could but I don't want to."He grinned at me.

I resisted the urge to punch that look off his face since that would only prove him right.

"You still haven't asked Savannah out and now there's this new woman in your life."Raul said completely ignoring the part where I asked him to shut up.

"She's not new."I scoffed.

"Yeah, your old flame. I hear you are going on a date with her this afternoon."He teased.

I jerked my head towards him so fast I got a whiplash.

"How do you know that?"I asked him.

"News travel fast in Woodcreek. I also know that Savannah has a date with Logan this Friday."Raul informed me.

"What?! Logan who?"I gritted out.

"Wilbur, Freya's brother. They met yesterday at the store and he wouldn't stop bragging about scoring a date with the hot Lancaster nanny at the pub yesterday."Raul explained.

Everything that was coming out of his mouth was making me angry. Savannah had a date? And with Logan of all people? That man had slept with half the women in Woodcreek and now he wanted to taint Savannah with his dirty claws. My Savannah? Not on my watch.

"It's not happening, not if I have anything to say about it."I declared getting to my feet and picking up my hat.

Raul chuckled and got up with me.

"You can't stop her boss, especially not when you yourself are going on a date with someone else this very day."Raul informed me.

"It's not the same, I don't intend to take things further with Donna."I declared.

"Why? She gorgeous? Successful and apparently moved to Woodcreek just for you."Raul retorted.

"Where are you getting all this information from? Donna moved here for work but she won't stay. I'll make it clear to her that I want nothing to do with her. What we had will never be again. I have responsibilities that she can't handle and my feelings for her are completely gone."I asserted.

"What about Savannah? She's already got her sights on someone else."Raul asked.

I didn't reply at first my mood already ruined with thoughts of Savannah and Logan together. I hopped onto Forest interrupting his peaceful grazing and trotted towards Raul.

"She's mine."I gritted out glancing at him so he could see the resolve on my face.

Raul grinned at me but I didn't stick around long enough to enjoy that look on his face as I rode off back to the house.

It wasn't fair to Savannah to tie her down to a life like mine that came with a package that included five kids but I couldn't let her be with Logan either. The man was a walking heartbreak wrapped up in STD's. I thought Savannah was smart and good at reading people so I had no idea what she saw in Logan. I was the better man and I needed to make her see that.

When I got back at the stables, I handed Forest off to Austin so he could deal with him and headed into the house. The double cabin was parked outside meaning Savannah was already back. I found her in the kitchen cleaning the dishes that had been used at breakfast. She noticed me walk in and her stance went from relaxed to guarded.

"Good morning sir, do you need anything?"She asked me her voice stiff.

We had also gone back to her referring to me as sir. That's how I knew the dynamic in our relationship had shifted.

We hadn't seen each other that morning which took a great deal on her part to avoid me in my own house.

"Yes I want us to talk."I replied the tone in my voice leaving no room for an argument.

"Have I done something wrong?"She asked her eyes widening in fear.

"Sit down Savannah."I replied motioning to a seat across the kitchen island.

Savannah looked at me skeptically but nonetheless dried her hands and took a seat across from me.

I wanted to shout and scream that she was forbidden from going out with Logan but that wouldn't paint me in the best light. What reason did I have to forbid her from seeing Logan? I couldn't confess my feelings just yet when I had Donna to deal with first. Stopping her from dating Logan while I was going on a date with Donna myself made me a hypocrite.

Everything I'd prepared to say to her in that moment dried up in my mouth and I found myself staring at her with a blank mind. Her brown orbs were looking at me with fear waiting for me to talk and I realized that I was approaching this all wrong. Instead of discussing Logan like I had intended to, I found myself saying...

"What's the kids schedule for this week?"

Fucking hell Nathan.

I needed a spine because at this rate I would never be able to get Savannah if I always chickened out.

Savannah sighed in relief and her body loosened up. I had chickened out from telling her how I really felt.

I already knew what the kids schedule was but it was the only thing I could come up with. Savannah and I discussed it for the next twenty minutes before I left her to go on with her day. It was barely ten am in the morning and I was already exhausted. I didn't feel like going back outside so I went to my office to get some paper work done. I always put it off because I preferred working outside but at the moment it was the better option.

I sat on my chair with a huff and groaned slamming my forehead on the desk.

"You're a wuss Nathan."I mumbled to myself.

It wasn't even a lie seeing as I had ruined any chances of starting something with Savannah with my fear. I had told Raul that Savannah was mine but that was wrong seeing as I couldn't even muster the courage to confess my feelings. I couldn't dwell on that for long though because the damage was already done. I had work to do and a date to mentally prepare for.

It was hard but I managed to lift my face off my desk and get to work. I buried myself in the paperwork for the next couple of hours.

When I couldn't put it off any longer I left my office and went into my room to take a shower and change into something more date worthy. I wasn't dressing up to impress Donna but because I was a gentleman with a reputation to maintain.

When I emerged from the house everyone was having lunch outside much to my demise.

"Looking good boss."Raul teased.

I had no idea what he was making a big deal out of it when I was only dressed in a pair of dark jeans, a denim shirt, brown leather boots and my black stetson.

I hit the back of his head and took a seat next to Austin and Francis directly across from Savannah. Her eyes were on me and I might have imagined it to make myself feel better but I caught a glimpse of a lustful look swimming in her eyes. It was gone in a second though as she concentrated back on the meal infront of her.

"Why are you sitting down to eat? Isn't that what you're supposed to do on dates?"Austin teased.

"Shut up Austin."I grumbled as I made myself a plate.

I didn't intend to take long on the date that's why I was eating before going out so I could have an excuse to skip the tedious awkward eating part of the date.

The look on my face was enough to shut everyone up so they didn't dare tease me about the date for the remaining part of lunch. After I was done, I washed it down with fresh strawberry juice.

"I need car keys."I demanded when I realized that I would be late if I didn't leave immediately.

"They are on the bowl next to the door."Savannah informed me speaking up for the first time since I sat down.

"Not those ones, you need the double cabin to pick the kids up from school. Truck keys?"I demanded snapping my fingers at everyone else.

Six sets of keys were laid out infront of me and I picked up the ones closest to me.

"See you later."I mumbled getting up.

I caught a glimpse of Savannah's sad face as I got up but I didn't have time to dwell on it. I needed to deal with Donna first before I took any action starting a relationship with Savannah.

The truck I'd picked the keys to was one of the beat up one's but it's not like I was trying to impress Donna. As long as it took me to my destination and back home, I had nothing to worry about.

I was five minutes late and by the time I arrived at the cafe Donna had requested us to meet at she was already there. She looked out of place in white pants, a white sweater that cost probably more than my truck and a pair of brown heels. She noticed me walk in and waved me over.

The cafe was deserted since lunch hour was over seeing as we were the only customers plus another couple huddled at the corner table. Donna had chosen a table next to the window, probably to keep an eye on the white Mercedes Benz parked out front that definitely belonged to her. Woodcreek folks mostly drove trucks and station wagons.

I pulled a chair across from her and sat down already feeling like running and not looking back.

"Thanks for coming. I thought you were going to blow me off."Donna chuckled nervously.

"Sorry I'm late but I'm here now."I replied.

Donna response was cut off by a waitress approaching us.

"Good afternoon and welcome to The Tumbleweed. What would you like to have? Oh hi, Nathan, didn't recognize you there."Gina, our waitress chuckled when she saw me.

"Hi Gina, I'll have a coffee."I replied.

"And you ma'am."Gina asked turning to Donna.

Donna looked at me confused wondering why I was not ordering any food but nonetheless ordered something for herself and some orange juice.

"I'll be right back with your orders."Gina said before skipping off leaving us alone once more.

I could tell Gina had lots of questions but thankfully she kept them all to herself. Gina was the owner of the cafe having inherited it from her parents. She had been a close friend of Nelly seeing as they had gone to school together. After Hudson and Nelly's death she had been much help with the kids. We almost dated but then I realized she wasn't my type. Now she was married to Rowan who was chief at the fire station. I didn't owe her an explanation though so she was free to think whatever she wanted.

I turned my attention to Donna who was looking at me expectantly with a smile on her face. Too bad I was about to turn her down and destroy any expectations she had of us.

"It's been eight years but you haven't aged a day."Donna commented.

"You would be surprised."I mumbled feeling a tick on my prosthetic.

"You have definitely changed, DC must have been good to you."I commented being louder this time so she could hear me.

"Till when will you keep hating me for a decision I made eight years ago."Donna asked noticing the venom in my words.

I looked at her in disbelief wondering if she was crazy asking me such a dumb question.

"Donna you dumped me because of who I was. I'm still the same person eight years later with a lot more responsibility so what makes you think things will be different this time?"I asked her.

I didn't bother wasting time with small talk and went directly to the point. The sooner I was done with Donna the better.

Gina came with our order in that moment putting a break in our heated conversation. After she was done laying everything down she quickly excused herself probably feeling the tension between Donna and I.

"You might not have changed but I have. I'm more mature now, I've evolved and I'm finally ready to settle down."Donna explained once we were alone again.

"That's well and good but I don't want to be part of this new you. You couldn't handle me then and you definitely can't handle me now."I scoffed taking a sip of my coffee.

"Because you have kids? Who I still don't believe are yours by the way even if they do resemble you."Donna replied.

Her statement proved exactly why I wanted nothing to do with her.

"I don't owe you an explanation but I'm their legal guardian. My brother and his wife passed leaving them to me so I am their dad."I explained through gritted teeth.

Donna looked taken aback by my explanation her eyes widening in surprise.

"I'm so sorry for your loss."She expressed looking remorseful.

"It's been five years, we're okay now."I replied continuing to sip on my coffee.

It was hard at first but after some time I accepted that the kids were my life now so I had embraced my new responsibility wholeheartedly.

"But you were so young when you became an automatic dad. You didn't have to shoulder that responsibility you know, there's always other options."Donna replied.

"You did not just say that."I seethed knowing exactly what she meant by "Other options".

Adoption and foster care were not an option. I wouldn't risk separating the kids just so I could maintain my free lifestyle. I would not have been able to live with myself if I had given the kids up.

"I'm sorry, you're right. It's not my place, I was just thinking of you."Donna explained.

"No Donna, you were only thinking about yourself. You probably thought that when you came back here you would find the Nathan who worshipped the ground you walked on still awaiting your return. I'm sorry to inform you that that Nathan is long gone. What we had was good while it lasted but you dumped me first. You moved on Donna and even though it took me longer I moved on too. My life is different now and there's no space for you in it."I said hoping I got through to her.

Donna was a determined woman. It had been one of the traits I used to love about her but now, no amount of determination would make me fall for her.

"Nathan...." She mumbled sadly reaching for my hand that was on the table.

"You're not built for small town life Donna. You'll get bored too fast here, there's no excitement for you and I can not handle another heartbreak from you. I don't want things to turn ugly between us so while you still have your dignity intact go back to DC where your life is."I advised pulling my hand back.

"Is that your final decision?"Donna asked looking sad.

"Yes and deep down you know I'm right. It's for the best. The past is in the past and there's no need to rehash it."I replied.

Donna nodded and took a tentative sip of her juice before setting the glass back down carefully.

"Thank you for being honest with me and for making me see sense. You're still the same gentleman I fell in love with back in college and its nice to see that nothing has changed. Your kids are lucky to have you and so will the woman lucky enough to be called Mrs Lancaster."Donna replied.

I wanted to tell her that I'd already found a woman to carry my last name but it was none of her business.

"No offense but I hope I never see you again Donna, all the best in DC."I said getting up.

"Thanks, goodbye Nathan."Donna replied.

I picked up my stetson and without another word went to the counter to settle our bill. I paid Gina for my coffee and Donna's meal then left the cafe glad to leave my past behind. I put on my hat and got into the truck ready to go back home to my kids and hopefully the future Mrs Lancaster.

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This chapter was short one but I loved writing it and I hope you did too.

Do you think this is the last we'll be seeing of Donna?