Page 97 of Never Left You
“Mainly out with Lachlan. He’s roped Cash into doing more projects around the ranch.”
He came early in the morning and found me in the stables. After a few kisses, he helped me finish my morning chores before Lachlan carted him off onto the land. He appeared briefly when Quinn showed up for a few rides, giving me more private moments before, yet again, Lachlan stole him away from me again. He kissed my cheek, whispering that he’d see me for dinner, but when he and Lachlan didn’t show up for dinner, I tried not to read too much into it. Sometimes the land took over and you ate the protein bars you had packed. Knowing Lachlan and his never ending to-do list…that’s exactly what happened.
“We have a bull rider signed up to use the arena.” I changed the subject, still feeling the heat in my cheeks. “Oakes Ashford.”
“Rhett told me. He seems like a decent guy. Maybe a bit cocky.”
How can I not be cocky when you’re straddling me.
My cheeks flushed hotter.
I cleared my throat and nodded. “He can be. I’m glad Rhett and Cash showed up, because I wouldn’t have been able to sell the arena on my own. I think his first booking is tomorrow. Cash said he’d come and help.”
“Cash is pretty much done with the arena, right?” Kyla leaned back into her seat, raising her tea to her lips. “Quinn is healed or what not?”
I nodded. “Her first rodeo back is this coming weekend. Cash is heading out on Thursday.”
Kyla stayed silent, rolling her lips as she studied me.
“What?” I asked.
“Is he coming back?”
“I hope so, but I also know he’s set on helping Quinn for the year. Next year, he’s going to take on more clients.”
“And use the arena?”
“I offered it.”
“And Rhett says you’re supposed to sign the new deed tomorrow.”
I froze, having completely blocked that from my task list.Sign deed to Hartwell Hillswas so down on my to-do list…even though it should be one of the top things. Even though everyone agreed to the way it was going to be split—it seemed completely asinine to me. I didn’t even know if I wanted thirty percent.
“I’m not going to lie,” Kyla started. “Rhett’s a little upset about how your dad is splitting the ranch.”
I met her gaze. “Why didn’t he say anything when we met with him, then. I mean…I could tell, but he didn’t speak up.”
“He knows how hard you work and ultimately, he’s not done with the rodeo. Having a baby doesn’t change the fact that he wants to compete for a least one more year, maybe two if I can travel with him, but this ranch…he loves it. He doesn’t wantjustfifteen percent.” Her voice dropped, moving from my moments with Cash to defending what her husband wanted and needed.
“I know I…” I stumbled. “I don’t know if I want to take what’s being offered.”
“So, why aren’t you saying anything?”
“It’s hard when my dad is looking at me for all the answers. I know this ranch inside and out. I may not be on the land every day like Lachlan is, but I know the inner workings. Rhett doesn’t. Lachlan knows them to an extent, but if I stopped handling those books…”
“Maybe someone else could. If you don’t want the majority, what do you want Abi?”
What did I want? I hadn’t thought about what I actually wanted in a long time. The last time I remembered actually starting to pursue something I wanted was Sylas, finally reaching an age where I didn’t think the ‘age gap’ between us would matter. I was an adult, and I went after what I wanted. Him. Asking him out was simple enough. I walked up to him and Lachlan five days after my eighteenth birthday, standing in front of him until he finally locked eyes with me.
He had been working at the ranch for four years prior and I hadalwayshad a crush on him. I was too nervous to even talk to him, so I would hide or run when I saw him come up. But I watched him. I watched as he and Lachlan would ride, I watched as he worked on simple tasks, I watched as he stopped to wipe the sweat from his brow, I watched as he learned to ride a bull…I was always looking…but never talking. Until I finally knew the age gap wouldn’t bother him, or at least I knew it didn’t bother me.
I asked him out. As simple as that. Told him I wanted to get to know him and that I thought he was…I believe my exact verbiage was…damn sexy. I remember Lachlan bursting into laughter, but Sylas said yes. Maybe out of pity, but we were rarely apart after that. He started calling me nicknames in Spanish,Mi Alma, Mi Reina…and together—we fell.
He was the last thing I really truly wanted for myself.
I didn’t have that luxury now. I wasn’t able to think about what I wanted.
I had the ranch to worry about. I had Stetson to prioritize. I had my parents’ looming retirement. I had a deed to sign…
