Broken Boundaries (Moonlight Ranch #1)

Chapter 1

Aspen

“Are you sure you want me to go to this? I feel like I’m intruding.”

In truth, I don’t want to go. I’ve been hoping my boyfriend would change his mind about me attending lunch with him and his dad ever since he asked me to go.

I even gave him an out yesterday and reassured him that it would most certainly not hurt my feelings if he would rather it be just him and his dad.

Some quality father-son time. He shot that down immediately.

“Yes, babe,” Zach shouts from the bathroom. “Now that we live here, you’ll be seeing a lot of my family. You’ll have to get used to it.”

It’s not that I don’t want to see his family…

It’s just I’ve never really been good at families.

Probably because I never really had a traditional one growing up.

My grandma watched over me, but I’ve always been a bit of a wanderer, never really fitting in anywhere or with anyone.

It’s even harder with Zach and his family because I want them to like me so badly that I end up making every interaction awkward.

I sigh and look around our new bedroom. We moved into this apartment four days ago, the first day of June, and we still have boxes to unpack.

“I know. It’s just that we have so much to do. I have to find a job, and—”

“And you’re not going to find a job in the one hour it takes to have lunch with my dad.

Plus, it’s a free meal, which we need since neither of us has money coming in at the moment.

” Zach walks out of the bathroom with a big smile on his face, knowing that he’s got me.

A free meal would be nice. We’ve been eating grilled cheeses and ramen noodles for the last few days while we moved.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

He extends his hand to me. “Come on. You know I don’t want to go alone. Especially not with him.”

Zach has never had a great relationship with his dad, which is another reason why I’m surprised he agreed to lunch on our first week here in Blue Haven.

I grab Zach’s hand and let him lead me out of our small one-bedroom apartment. Instead of heading to one of our cars, we take the sidewalk because in Blue Haven, Georgia, most places are close enough to walk. Our apartment is very centrally located—just a few steps off Main Street.

It’s going to take me a while to get used to living in a small town like this.

I grew up in Florida and then moved to Savannah right after high school.

I spent two years there before I moved to Atlanta and have been there ever since.

After growing up in a not-so-great part of Florida, I thought I would feel more alive in a big city.

But then I met Zach two years ago, fell in love, and he somehow got me to agree to move back to his hometown with him after he graduated from Georgia State University.

I hate to admit that I didn’t have much else going on at the time.

In Atlanta, I was working at a hotel. My plan was to get into management, but I hadn’t made much progress on that front.

When Zach told me he was moving home and asked me to come with him, I agreed.

I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try small-town life for a little while.

He always made Blue Haven sound so magical.

Truthfully, however sad it might sound, there wasn’t really a reason for me to stay in the city without him.

Blue Haven is cute. It looks like your typical small town.

Main Street is like every small-town TV movie I’ve ever seen, with a few restaurants, a general store, a grocery store, a coffee shop, a bakery, a library, and city hall.

It’s a busy little area, or as busy as it can be with such a small population.

Unfortunately for me, none of these cute little places is hiring.

It seems people hire those they know, and then those people never leave.

I probably should’ve looked into the job market before I completely upended my life, but I’ve always been more on the spontaneous side.

Zach opens the door to Melvin’s Tavern and ushers me inside. Contrary to the name, it’s actually one of the nicer restaurants in town and not what I would consider a diner. Every table has a white tablecloth on it with a candle and a flower centerpiece. There’s not a sticky menu in sight.

The hostess leads us to the table by the window that Zach’s dad reserved.

Zach and I sit on one side of the table, leaving the other side open for his dad.

“So, what is this lunch for?” I ask as I peruse the menu while we wait.

“I don’t know. I think he just wants to check in. Probably so he can say he did the dad thing or whatever.”

“Hmm.” Zach and his dad… tolerate each other. Their relationship has always been a little rocky, from what I can tell. His parents separated when Zach was really young, and he spent most of his time with his mom, so he didn’t get to develop a close father-son relationship with his dad.

It got even worse when Zach decided to go to college instead of working at the Calloway family business: Moonlight Ranch, the shining star of Blue Haven, Georgia. I can’t blame him. I don’t think that I’d like to be stuck on a ranch for the rest of my life either.

But at least his dad makes some sort of effort, like scheduling this lunch. I don’t even know if my dad is dead or alive. That’s a thought for another day, though.

The front door opens, and a man walks in. I’ve met Zach’s dad maybe twice over the last two years, and there’s no denying the man has a presence. It’s especially noticeable in this small restaurant on a random Thursday when he smiles at the hostess, and she practically melts.

Brooks Calloway looks like an older version of Zach: dark hair, dark eyes, muscular build, and a perfect smile.

The difference lies in Brooks’s sun-kissed skin from working outside all day, the black cowboy hat that he’s worn every time I’ve seen him, and the giant buckle on the belt around his waist. I don’t think Zach even owns a belt…

or a cowboy hat. Brooks Calloway looks like a real-life cowboy, and unfortunately for him, his only son wants nothing to do with that life.

“Hey, kid. Sorry, I’m late,” Brooks says as he stops in front of our table.

Zach stands and gives his dad an awkward side hug. I stand because I feel rude staying seated, which is dumb. It’s not like I expect a hug from the man.

“All good, Dad. We just got here.”

Brooks tips his head in my direction. “Aspen. Good to see you again.”

I can’t tell if he actually means that or not, but I smile and say, “You too.”

Brooks takes off his hat, and the three of us sit down. I focus back on the menu even though I decided I was going to order the turkey club about five minutes ago.

“So, how’s the apartment?” Brooks asks with his signature country twang. I always thought Zach had a strong Southern accent, but it’s nothing compared to his dad’s.

“It’s good. Thanks for getting me in touch with Matt. It’s perfect for us.”

Zach puts his hand on my leg and smiles in my direction. I smile back and wonder if it’s awkward that Zach is touching my leg in front of his dad. Is this a normal thing for people to do? Here I am with my overthinking again.

Brooks nods. “Good. Good. Yeah, it’s not much, but it’ll be a good spot to start off in while you get up and running.”

“Yeah, we’re almost done unpacking,” Zach supplies. I don’t jump in to say that’s a lie. Our place is still full of boxes and half-unpacked suitcases.

“Sorry I couldn’t help you move in. It’s busy season at the ranch,” Brooks explains.

While I know summertime must be busy for him, I also wondered if he didn’t help us move in because he knew Zach’s mom and her new husband would be helping us.

Zach has mentioned that the two of them don’t really get along, and I’ve heard a few of the snide remarks his mom has made about Brooks.

“It’s fine. We didn’t have that much.”

The server comes by and takes our order, and I sit quietly listening to the two men talk until Brooks decides to aim a question in my direction. “Aspen, how’re you liking Blue Haven so far?”

“Oh.” I clear my throat and shift in my seat, trying to figure out how to not shit on his hometown without completely lying. “It’s an adjustment, but it’s cute.”

“You always lived in Atlanta?” he asks. His eyes are laser-focused on me as he waits for an answer, and it’s a little unnerving.

“No. I’m from Florida originally.”

“Ah, your folks still there?”

“Um, I don’t know. Maybe?” I haven’t spoken to my mom in over a decade.

Not since she left me with my grandmother and ran off with the supposed love of her life.

And my dad…? Never knew him. Apparently, I met him once.

I have a singular picture of the two of us buried in a box somewhere, but that’s the extent of our relationship.

“I grew up with my grandmother. She’s still there. ”

Brooks nods and thankfully doesn’t ask any follow-up questions about my family history. His attention is pulled from me to his phone, which is lighting up on the table next to him. He sighs.

Zach notices too. “Everything ok?”

“Uh, yeah,” Brooks answers. “Kinda. My assistant/morning desk receptionist quit on me yesterday. Something about a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend. Harper is filling in today. and she’s trying to write the job posting but has about a thousand questions.”

Zach slowly lowers his fork and looks at me with a big smile. Oh no. I can see on his face exactly what he’s thinking. My eyes go wide, and I shake my head to try to stop him, but he doesn’t listen.

“Dad, Aspen’s looking for a job. Maybe you could hire her.”

“Zach!” I whisper-shout. How embarrassing.

“What? You just said that you needed to look for a job.”

Yeah, but not with his dad on a freaking ranch.

“You need a job, Aspen?” Brooks asks.

I close my eyes for a second to collect myself before I turn to him and say, “Yes, but please do not feel like you have to hire me because I’m Zach’s girlfriend. I have no problem looking around for jobs.”

“What experience you got?”

Shit. Guess he’s going to humor me. “I most recently worked at the Westin in Atlanta. I worked at the reception desk. I’ve also been a server, a bartender, and a sales associate. I’ve tried pretty much everything.”

“Can you start tomorrow?”

Wait. What? “I, uh…”

“Yep. She can,” Zach answers for me.

Brooks waits for me to answer him, though. “Sure. Yes. That’d be great.”

“Good.” He nods and focuses back on his food.

“So, that’s it? Do I need to do an interview or anything?”

He shakes his head. “If my son trusts you, then I’ll trust you.”

This is going to be terrible. Not only because I have no idea what happens on a ranch, but because I’ll be working for Zach’s dad. The same dad that he’s complained about fairly regularly over the two years we’ve been together.

But it’s a job. One that I desperately need since I used a lot of my savings on this move.

I’ve searched a few websites for open positions in the area, and the options are slim to say the least. Hopefully, this job pays well.

I’d ask, but honestly, I’ll take what I can get for now.

I’ll just work at the ranch until I can find something better.

We finish our lunch, and Brooks pays the bill. On our way out, a few people call out to him to say hello. It seems like everyone here knows each other. That never happened in Atlanta. Most people kept their heads down and headphones on.

Outside, Brooks stops on the sidewalk in front of a big black truck that says Moonlight Ranch on the side.

“Zach, it was good to see you. Let me know if you need anything, alright?”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Aspen. See you in the morning. Nine o’clock.”

“Ok. Where do I go? Do I ask for you?”

“Head to the front desk. Give ’em your name, and they’ll get you set up.”

“Alright. Thank you. I won’t let you down,” I tell him, although I’m not sure why. I have no idea what this job entails, and I might end up being absolutely terrible at it.

“I’m countin’ on it.”

He climbs into his truck, and without another glance in our direction, he’s gone.

I immediately turn to Zach.

“What was that?” I ask.

“What was what?”

“Um, you practically forcing your dad to hire me. All you’ve ever done is tell me how he’s a terrible father.”

He has the audacity to shrug. “Just because he’s a bad father doesn’t mean he’ll be a bad boss. That ranch is his life. He treats his employees better than he treats me. And I’m sure the pay will be good. The ranch makes more money than everywhere else in town.”

“Still would’ve been nice if we discussed this before you put me on the spot like that.”

“Noted for next time,” he says, playing it off like this is not a big deal and I shouldn’t be upset.

“I just wanted to make sure you had something lined up, and that job woulda gone quick once it was posted. When I start the police academy next week, I’m going to be gone a lot. I don’t want you to be bored.”

I exhale a deep breath and try to release some tension. I know Zach meant well, but the execution could’ve been better. Working on his dad’s ranch was not part of my plan, but he’s right. I do need a job. I’ve never done well with just sitting around.

“I know. It just took me off guard. I don’t want people to think I only got the job because I’m your girlfriend.”

Zach laughs. “Babe, this is a small town. Everyone has a job because they know someone. That’s just how it works around here.”

Well, I guess I’m officially a Blue Haven resident now. Add one more to the population number on the town sign.