Chapter 14 Rhett
fourteen
Rhett
“I’m so happy we got this deal for you, Rhett.”
Arnie shakes my hand after I sign the final papers.
“I can’t believe this house will be mine. I can’t thank you enough for acting so quickly for me.”
“It’s my pleasure. I’m happy you could send a friend. I could’ve sent you videos, but it’s better from someone who knows what you like. They can be more objective, and it won’t feel like they just want a sale.”
I open my mouth, but he holds up a hand. “I’d never do that, but sometimes you take information better from someone not involved with it.”
He’s right. Arnie could’ve pointed out how the property in the front was big enough to have a barn and space for Wilbur. I would’ve likely nodded and not quite bought the idea.
But Diamond, sending me a breathless video pitching me the same idea?
I bought that because his words hit me in a way I wasn’t prepared for.
He stopped his Jeep in the dark and pointed his headlights to the place where he felt a barn would be possible.
Then he walked the perimeter and confirmed the area should be easy to fence, and he even knew someone who could help if I wanted, who wouldn’t cost a fortune.
I must have replayed that video a dozen times just to hear the excitement in his voice. Not for me. But for Wilbur to have a new home close to me. How am I supposed to ignore that?
“No, you were right, Arnie. He knew exactly what I was interested in. Thanks for the suggestion of sending a friend.”
“The owner has requested a quick closing. Have you chosen a lawyer to ask about their schedule?”
“Yeah, actually. Gabe Davis is a friend and is doing a favour. He said he could get it all done in 10-14 days as long as the searches weren’t a problem. My mortgage contact agreed as well. It will be tight, but they both sounded like it’s possible.”
Arnie beams. “That’s so wonderful! The seller is such an amazing man.
He said to let you know he’s open for you to drop by if you want any information about the house at all.
Like septic maintenance, house things, and care of the trees; stuff like that.
Oh!” Arnie pauses and rummages in a briefcase before pulling out an envelope.
“He actually put his contact information here and said to give it to you.”
“Oh…thank you. I might just do that. Are we done?”
“We are. Congratulations, Rhett. You just bought a house.”
“Yeah, I guess I did. Thank you again.”
Arnie shakes my hand again, and after a longer chat, we finally part ways, and I leave his office filled with excitement. This house might not be what most people envision as a dream house, but it feels like it was built just for me.
I need to tell Diamond.
Since I returned from the rodeo, I haven’t time to fill him in. Between the appointments to get the house purchased, a vet appointment for Tater, and arranging the next rodeo school session, I’ve been massively busy.
He’s not been far from my thoughts, though.
But I need to tell him the news and show him I’m grateful for his help. Maybe I want more than that; I honestly don’t know, but I can’t get the sound of his voice on that damn video out of my head.
After parking on the street, I drop into the florist.
“Can I help you?”
“Um…yeah. I’d like a bouquet of white flowers.”
“All white? Any flower?”
“It has to have roses for sure.”
The man smiles and nods. “Do you have a price point? I can make you something in a few minutes.”
“Uh…I hadn’t thought about that. Would $50 make something nice enough to say I appreciate you?”
The florist raises an eyebrow as he walks towards a cooler of flowers. “It might say more than that if you’re not careful.”
As he pulls flowers from his cooler, my thoughts race. Diamond loves roses. He told me that. He’s also had them at his café in white one day. I remember because he smelled like roses and baking, and I liked it.
Roses are love symbols. Shit. Is that what the florist means? Is this not the right thing? This is how I end up ruining things. Maybe I shouldn’t bring him flowers.
“How will you be paying today?” The crinkle of paper, along with the man’s voice, pulls me back to the present. Too late now, I guess.
“Um, debit is fine.”
After tapping my card to pay, the florist motions to the note cards beside the till.
“You can choose a card for a note over there if you’d like.”
“Great, thank you.”
Without looking too closely, I grab a card and an envelope and rush back to my truck. Do I really need a note if I’m delivering them myself? Maybe a note would help it feel less romantic?
Grabbing a pen from my glove box, I scrawl a message on the card and tuck it inside the concealed bouquet before heading to The Thirsty Cow to meet with Hunter. It’s just flowers for my friend.
If I keep repeating that, I might even believe it.
I’ve been in my truck for ten minutes watching people come and go from The Thirsty Cow. The flowers sit on the seat next to me, and I’m about to turn around and go home when Hunter texts me.
Hunter: If you’re in town, could you come by for coffee? I’d like you to meet Alec.
I fire off a reply that I’m actually on my way and grab the flowers before I give myself another minute to overthink it more than I already have.
The low lull of voices and coffee machines doing their thing greets me, along with the scent of something distinctly banana when I step inside.
My gaze instantly finds Diamond’s as he weaves his way across the café, and the smile that fills his face when he sees me is…
something I don’t want to admit makes me warm and tingly.
“I love it when my coffee brings all the hot cowboys in. Especially one as fine as you. Welcome home.”
He stops in front of me and tilts his chin up. His blue eyes sparkle with the mischief I know him for, and, like a complete and utter goof, I shove the flowers into his chest and talk so fast I’m not even sure I make sense.
“I got the house. It’s mine, and these are to thank you. For your help, and, you know, the videos. You said you liked roses, and that’s what I got. Because you like them.”
Diamond takes the bouquet and says nothing for a moment before pulling me into the kitchen with him.
“You got the house? For real?” His words carry the same excitement I feel.
“Yeah. I just made it official today. It’s moving fast, so the seller can move, and I…I’m…I just wanted to thank you.”
Diamond glances at the flowers before setting them aside. “I appreciate that, cowboy. You didn’t have to do that, but you’re very welcome. I’ll always help you when you need it, and I’m so fucking excited for you!”
Fuck, he’s so damn beautiful like this. He really is happy about this for no other reason than that his friend is happy. Diamond isn’t like the others.
“You convinced me, you know. With your video for the barn.”
Diamond never looks shy, but for a moment now he does. He glances away quickly before reaching for my hand and squeezing. “I wasn’t sure if I should send it, but I know if it were for me and my horse, that’s what I’d do. You said you wanted my honesty…so I sent it.”
“Are you free tonight?”
He cocks his head, and his tongue comes out to wet his lips. “I could be. Depends on what you’re asking?”
“I don’t actually know,” I admit softly. “I just know I’ve been thinking of you, and I’d like to spend time with you. We should celebrate.”
“Okay.” He clears his throat. “I’m here until 8 P.M. tonight.”
“I’ll probably be at the training facility. Come by when you’re finished here?”
“Yeah. I can do that.”
We stand there for a few moments, and it’s like we’re stuck in a bubble of time where it’s just the two of us. I want to kiss him, but maybe it’s the wrong signal or the wrong place? Would he think it means more than just a kiss if I kiss him?
“Rhett.”
“Yeah?”
He stretches up on his toes and presses a kiss to my cheek. “Thank you for the flowers, and I’ll see you tonight. Hunter is waiting for you.”
“Right. Yeah. Thank you. I’ll…I should find him.”
Diamond grins. “He’s easy to spot.”
Turning, I bump into the fridge before I make it out the door and make a beeline to where Hunter is.
“Hey, sorry I’m late.”
Flopping on the sofa next to Hunter, I reach across to offer my hand to the man with him. “You must be Alec. I’m Rhett. Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise. I’ve heard great things. Looks like we’ll be working together a lot this week.”
“I’m not much of a roper, but I—”
“Hold the fucking phone,” Hunter interrupts and shifts to face me. “Did you just bring flowers to Diamond? What have I missed?”
“Uh…you haven’t missed anything.”
“Jesus, Hunter.” Alec laughs. “You’re already acting like a dad with your friends. You’ve had the kid for what? Three weeks?”
Hunter scowls at Alec. “Put a cork in it and let me be.” He turns back to me. “Rhett…I know I’ve been busy with other shit and not been around much. But what the fuck? Are you dating? Fucking? What’s with the flowers?”
“He helped me out. I was saying thank you. By the way, I got the house, and I’ll be moved out in two weeks.”
Hunter smiles, genuinely happy for my news. “Congrats! That’s fantastic, and you know you don’t have to rush, even though Warren is itching to get into your room. But seriously, what—”
“Hey, Sug. You didn’t tell me if you wanted anything, but I thought I’d bring over a sample for you three. Banana sticky toffee pudding with three forks.” He sets the dessert on the table between us, then places a mug in front of me. “Your favourite, Mr. Handsome.”
Diamond’s gaze catches mine again, and I murmur a thank you.
“Oh, I see how it is.” Hunter laughs and reaches for a fork to try the pudding. “Fine. If neither of you wants to share what’s going on with you two, I’ll shut the fuck up.”
“For now,” Alec says with a laugh.
Diamond’s hand touches my shoulder. Not firmly. Just enough for me to know he was there before he blows a kiss to Hunter and walks on to another table. It’s not until Hunter’s elbow is in my ribs that I realize I’ve been staring and not listening to a word of the conversation.
“Work time, Rhett. Stop eye-fucking the guy.”
Alec pushes the plate of pudding my way at the same time he rips the fork from Hunter’s hand. “Taste this before it’s gone and ignore him. Life is too short not to enjoy the sights.”
“Hint taken,” Hunter moans. “So…it’s the week of the ropers starting tomorrow.
Alec will be there every day to help and teach.
Levi can too, but he doesn’t have the experience the students want.
I’ll be in during the afternoon. We finally got a therapist for Warren in the mornings, so I’ll be doing that while Gabe goes to the office. ”
Hunter swallows, and I exchange a glance with Alec.
“His issues have, ah, they brought back a lot of my own problems. I’m okay, though. It’s just…I hate watching him struggle when it’s so unnecessary. This parent thing is fucking hard.”
“You’re doing the best thing for him, Hunter. It’ll get easier. In the meantime, you have competent friends and staff to help. We’ve got this.” Alec reaches over to squeeze Hunter’s knee. “You’ve been through worse. You’ll get through this, too.”
“Right. You’re right. Okay, let’s map out the week and make a plan.” He takes his tiny notepad from his back pocket, and I bite back my laugh. Still too stubborn to make notes on his phone.
For the next half hour, the three of us discuss how to fill in the gaps for Hunter and ways to make that up to the participants. Alec is pretty good at talking Hunter down when he panics and pointing out the flexibility of the student’s schedule right now. He actually contributes more than I do.
But it’s a solid plan to get things rolling smoothly, and with any luck, I’ll still be able to make it in time to the out-of-town rodeo next weekend, which Hunter insists needs to happen because he never wanted me to give up rodeo just to work for him.
As annoying as he can be with his meddling, he’s been a good friend, and before we leave for the facility, I pull him aside to tell him that.
“Listen, Hunter, I know you said we’re adults and can do what we want, but I know you care about Diamond. I just wanted to tell you that I don’t know what we have, but I like it. He’s safe with me, and it’s nothing serious.”
“You don’t need to explain yourself, Rhett.
I know I’m a demanding ass, and I get involved with stuff I shouldn’t.
Diamond is…I guess special to me, so I feel overprotective.
I know he hates that, but I can’t help it.
” He huffs a breath. “I’ll try to stay out of it.
As you said, you’re adults, and it’s none of my business. ”
“For what it’s worth…knowing a friend has your back means a lot.”
“And I know you have mine, so let’s just be on with things, yeah? Tell me to fuck off next time, and I’ll shut up.”
Laughing, I clap him on the back as we walk. “Somehow, I doubt that. But I’ll try.”
Before we leave, I notice the flowers in a vase on the counter just as Diamond exits from the kitchen with a tray of something yummy in his hands.
His blue-eyed gaze meets mine, and he winks before bending to refill the pastry display.
And I think I leave The Thirsty Cow walking on air.