Page 5 of Second Chance with the Rancher
Sobbed at the table until her big sister pulled her into her arms and they sat there, knees touching, arms wrapped tightly around each other as Mieka’s whole body shook.
Triss said nothing. She rubbed her sister’s back and made shushing sounds. But she never said it was going to be alright, or that they’d figure it out. Because she knew that Mieka didn’t want those platitudes right now.
She wanted to wallow. She wanted to grieve her past life, mourn what used to be, and then once she was out of her funk, then they could figure out the next step.
Eventually, the tears stopped falling, her breathing calmed and her body quit trembling. She pulled away from Triss, wiped her eyes and took a sip of her water.
“Feel better?” Triss asked.
“A little.”
A throat cleared behind them and Mieka froze. She didn’t have to see him to know that Nate was there.
How long had he been there and why didn’t Triss tell her?
“Did you get the truck fixed?” Triss asked her brother-in-law.
Mieka wiped beneath her eyes again, she probably had horrible raccoon circles from her mascara, but whatever. She spun around in her seat and faced Nate. He looked how she felt. Helpless and uncomfortable.
“No,” Nate said with a sigh. “I’m gonna take it to Larry down the road tomorrow and have him look at it. It’s beyond my capabilities.”
“And that’s just killing you, isn’t it?” Triss said with a knowing smile.
Nate grunted. “You know I don’t like it when I can’t fix things.”
“I am aware of that trait of yours,” she replied with sass. “Seems to be something the Harris brothers have in common. Drives Asher nuts when he can’t fix my period cramps.”
“Well, you won’t have to worry about those for a while,” Asher said, coming into the house. “’Cause you’re knocked up with my baby.”
Triss rubbed her flat stomach. “With your little cowboy or cowgirl.”
“Rancher,” Nate and Asher said at the same time.
Mieka snorted and Triss winked at her husband.
“I thought you had work to do in the barn?” Triss asked, directing her question to Asher.
“I do,” he replied, “but I gotta change into different pants. Callie’s in labor and it looks like it’s going to be a quick one. She started showing signs when we were out there. Tested her calcium secretions earlier today and they said she was close. Figured it would happen sometime today.” He pecked Triss on the side of the head, then headed upstairs.
Mieka turned to Nate. “I suppose binge drinking will have to wait until the foal is out?”
He gave her a resigned smile. “Then it can be celebratory drinking. Did you want to come watch?”
She perked up and nodded. “I’d love to. Should I change? Is there a splash zone?”
He chuckled and his eyes drifted down her body appreciatively. “Might be a good idea.”
She was not dressed for a farm or a ranch, and certainly not for the birth of a foal. Though, she’d learned last time she was here that this place was not conducive to heels, so she wore flats, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t still be stylish. She had on black and white gingham capris that reached her mid-calf, a tight-fitting black tank top and a billowy white vest cardigan thing that hung past her flat ass. She knew she had no butt. That was what getting up at four in the morning and running ten miles on the treadmill did to her body. No tits and no ass.
Maybe she’d grow both now that she wasn’t dancing anymore.
Maybe she could just eat chocolate and bread and grow boobs and a butt. That could be her new purpose in life.
Asher came bounding down the stairs wearing faded jeans and a flannel shirt rolled up at the sleeves. It was exactly what he’d been wearing before, just slightly more worn and tattered. Nevertheless, It was a good look on her brother-in-law. “I’m gonna go move Callie out to a vacant pasture so she can foal outside where it’s more comfortable,” he said, kissing Triss on the cheek again.
“Good luck,” Triss called after him.
“I’m already dressed for getting covered in placenta, so I’ll see you out there?” Nate directed his question to Mieka.
