Chapter 2
Vicky
Iclimbed off the horse, patting its neck as I walked it to a post. With a sigh, I grabbed a brush and started grooming it. His head reached around, nudging my shoulder and I laughed.
“You win, Blaze. I’ll give you a treat; you’re just like your mama.” I patted his neck before kissing his nose.
“You spoil him.”
“I have too Crystal, you don’t, and you’re supposed to be taking care of my horse for me, you know.”
“No, I keep him here, and help take care of him, I don’t spoil him.” She came around on his other side, picking up a brush as well. “How did it go?”
“Annoying. Jose is the most stubborn, cold-hearted, dumbest man I know,” I ground out, making Blaze stomp his foot. I was going to choose to say that was in agreement rather than at my own attitude.
“And yet, you have the biggest damn crush on him,” my best friend said, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, yeah, have you seen the man? He’s all cowboy and rancher, and hotness.
But he’s also a pain in my side. He makes it seem like I’m some city slicker that just rolled in one day and never left.
But that’s not the case. I remember Jose before I left, but I know he wouldn’t remember me. Nor the name.”
Crystal stopped her brushing to look at me over the horse, a sad smile on her face.
“He’ll never know if you don’t tell him either.”
“Why should I? It’s not like he speaks to me a lot of the time, let alone give me time to express any part of that to him. He is oddly infuriating on a good day.”
“Watching you with your crushes has always been hilarious to me.”
I focus on grooming Blaze, not giving her an answer.
Because I knew exactly what she was talking about.
When I left this town at a young age, Crystal was my best friend.
When I moved away, we stayed in touch. And when I came back, it was like we never parted.
So, yeah, she has seen me through all my stages.
But the one thing I never mentioned was how I saw Jose, even being young.
He’s a man that never strayed too far from my thoughts growing up.
And every boyfriend I ever had was compared to him, and what he was like as he grew up and into the man.
Let’s just say most were found lacking. Not that I gave up on them, or dumped them, I wasn’t that dumb.
But I was dumb enough to compare and really had no right too.
I know, I was young, why the hell would I do that?
Because I knew Jose would be a man who loves his land, who would work it hard, who loves this area and honors it, and of course, he’d be so damn sexy. And that was all true, he was all of that. He was also smart, but he was aloof and that was a factor I hadn’t thought of.
“I still think you should tell him that you knew him when he was a teenager, causing havoc around her.”
I rolled my eyes at my best friend because he wouldn’t listen. Or he would say I was lying. Both which would suck.
“Did you ever think that maybe you’re just not destined to be with him, Vicky? That maybe it’s not in your cards and it would be best to move on from that?”
I pushed my hair back and glared at her over my horse.
Did I think about that?
Of course.
But every time I did, Jose would do something that would just capture me all over again.
Was I admiring him from afar?
Duh! I wasn’t dumb to do it in his face. But that was also why no one else understood my feelings. I saw when he’d help a little old lady. Or I’d see when he would help his neighbors. I’d see it all, and every negative thought I had would just vanish.
Crystal was not the only one to tell me to let this go, that it was pointless. But when things were pointless, it’s usually when I stepped up all the more. And believe me, I was stepping up now.
Just needed to find the right way to do it.
The following morning, I strolled to the hardware store, trying to get people to help me with some upcoming events. With Monsoon around the corner, there were plenty of things to plan and I was going to need all the help I could get.
Not that I minded this part of the job.
Of all the lore’s that lived around these parts, the stories of love and promises that came around Monsoon were always some of my favorites.
Maybe because it was also my favorite time in the southwest. Sure, it was sticky and muggy, but the storms, the high feelings, it was always worth it.
And it never seemed to fail; the romance was through the roof.
“Hey Tom,” I called out, stopping at the counter and waving to the manager. He turned, a smile on his face as he walked over.
“Hey Vicky, all smiles this morning, I see.”
“I try to be. So, you know what time it is, can I count on you to help me with some things? Mostly manpower? And maybe let me post some flyers.”
“You know it, Vicky. I love helping you out. And you always spoil the guys I send your way, so they’re perfect.”
“You’re the best, no matter what anyone says,” I tease. “By the way, the Lone trail off the main road, the one that dissects the ranches, it’s been flooded out, right? Know how long that will take to clear up?”
“Sorry, Vicky, that’s up to the landowners. You take tours out that way?”
“Some. It’s a beautiful area right against the mountains, but there’s not a lot of ways out there. I just know that’s the best, and fastest way. And with the rains upon us soon, even worse.”
“Let me see if I can’t talk to the owners for ya. Not sure what I can do, but I’ll try.”
I beamed at him, loving that he would be willing to do that. This is what I loved, the sense of community around here.
Why couldn’t I get someone else to be like this?
I turned and waved at him, hollering a ‘thanks’ right as I collided with a solid chest that had me landing on my backside with a loud groan.