I guess things haven't changed all that much.
“What’s been going on here?” I ask, eyes sliding across the ranch. “You said Honey Bea is failing.”
It doesn’t look all that different, and in the month or so since I’ve been home, it doesn’t seem to be falling apart. I have noticed that they’re a bit late with planting the late spring flowers, but that’s not abnormal.
Walked the property a few times took my truck out even more. Equipment’s in good shape, buildings are a bit worse for wear, but they’re old.
Haven’t talked to my mom about it yet, but we’ve all had shit going on, and for some reason, it hasn’t felt like my place to pry. Like I lost that right when I walked away.
Hazel sighs, jaw ticking as she stares off into the distance. “Cooper Ridge happened.”
My brows furrow. “Who?”
She scoffs, the sound so acidic, it hits me in the gut. “God, you really are disconnected from home.”
“That’s why I’m asking!” I snap, fingers tightening on the reins. “I’m trying, Hazel. I know I fucked up. Know I left you all in the lurch, but I’m here now. You gotta let me in if you want my help.”
My sister’s silent for a long time, and when she finally speaks, it’s like the words are being dragged right from her soul. They’re thick and heavy with a weight she never should have had to carry on her own.
“Cooper Ridge is a massive ranching operation,” she says bitterly. “Moved into Summit County a year ago—big money, corporate backing, shiny equipment, paid help, and zero connection to this land.”
She shakes her head, jaw clenched tight.
“They’ve been slowly edging in on everything we do—wheat, honey, flowers, grazing land, even the fucking farmers market. Offering bulk for cheaper, paying off distributors, undercutting everyone around them until we’re the ones left scrambling to stay afloat.”
My gut tightens. “They’re trying to run us out.”
“They’re trying tobuyus out,” she mutters. “They already took three properties on the east side. And if Mom hadn’t refused to sell last year, they’d probably be building a fence through our fields right now.”
I glance toward the outer edges of the property, toward the place where the wheat should already be sprouting and the wildflowers should be blooming.
Cooper Ridge isn’t just competition.
They’re a slow-moving storm—and they’re coming for everything.
“Damn, Kade, your girl’s reckless!” Wilder shouts, jolting me, as he races past, heading into the fray.
“Let’s go, Archer,” Emmy calls, jerking her chin—and a smile—at Hazel as she hurries her horse after him. “Your clothes are way too clean!”
Hazy laughs, rolling her eyes, but I can tell it’s forced. “You say that like you know a damn thing about coyboyin’, Emmaline!”
She turns and gives me a long look, reaching over to squeeze my hand around the reins.
“I’m proud of you, Kade, and I’m really happy you’re back.” She jerks her chin at Georgia, who’s off on her own now, watching me with a worried look on her pretty face. “You deserve some happy, too.”
I swallow thickly, gripping her hand right back. “And when are you gonna get happy, Hazy Ruth?”
Something passes behind her eyes, gaze going back to that ridge of cowboys, except now it’s empty.
“I’ll find it someday.” She flashes me a fake smirk and releases me, backing Orion toward the group. “Maybe when you’re covered in mud and horse shit.”
Scoffing, I cluck my tongue and tap my heel into Dusty’s side. “Let’s go, man. We’ve got mud to sling.”
Dusty takes off like a shot, passing Orion and Hazy in a blink, like he’s been waiting for the chance to show off. Neck back, teeth out, he hits the puddles, body skidding sideways a few feet. My heart thuds, a grin splitting my face as adrenaline courses through me.
I let him prance and kick the mess, coating his lower half in cold, refreshing mud and water, but the second his zoomies slow down a bit, I’m guiding him toward Georgia, unable to stay away a second longer.
Her eyes hold mine, and I dig in my heel, hands loose on the reins. She shoots me a little smirk and runs her finger over the brim of my hat—hermiddlefinger.
