Chapter 20 #2
“This is a good start for you, man,” Everett says as we start to walk out of the barn. “I think word of mouth and the fact that Drake is aware the rumors were crap is going to accomplish more than anything you could’ve on your own.”
He’s right.
“It was Tessa’s idea,” I admit.
“What was?”
I laugh, thinking about how she was so strategic in certain parts of this whole event. I didn’t see it at the time, and I also didn’t have the time to invest in planning the rodeo.
I’ve been busy trying to make sales as well as help Gary with running the farm. Without Travis, and having to let go of one of my ranch hands, it’s been me picking up the slack, exercising the animals as well as doing other chores.
“She thought it would be a good idea to have other ranchers come. Not just guys who have bought from me before, but local breeders who would be able to see the ranch, know the conditions, and be at least able to speak to what they’ve seen.” She was right. “I didn’t think they’d come.”
Everett scoffs. “Please, for them to get a chance to see your operation up close and be able to gossip? That’s their favorite thing. Also, they all hate Owen at Longwood Ranch, so they will love proving he’s a fucking liar.”
That makes sense. Still, I didn’t think it would be a good idea. I didn’t want a bunch of assholes who have spread the rumors to be able to come here and make my life hell.
I was wrong.
“Hopefully it works.”
“I think it already has. You got a few horses sold, and I’m pretty sure more will come.”
“Yeah,” I say with a grin. “I hope you’re right.”
“Keep listening to Tessa, and maybe you’ll get out of this mess for good. When does she head back?”
Soon. Way too fucking soon. When I last spoke to Brynlee, she told me that Tessa would stay on until the rodeo and now that’s over.
Well, almost.
“And that’s the end of our evening, folks. Thanks for coming out to the rodeo here on Ivy Thorn Ranch. We hope you had a good night, don’t forget to check out the vendors and we’ll see you again soon!” The announcer says and a loud round of applause fills the air.
I turn to Everett. “She was staying until this was over.”
Something like sympathy flashes across his face. “I see.”
“See what?”
“She’s going to leave,” he says. “I just…hope that you guys are at least honest with each other before she goes.”
“We are honest,” I say quickly.
“Oh? Is that what we’re calling it? Okay then.” Everett slaps me on the back. “In that case, I need to find my wife.”
I raise one brow. “She hasn’t made that mistake yet.”
“We’re practically married. We’re living together and having a baby,” he grumbles. “At least I’m deeply in touch with my feelings, I’m not living in denial.”
I roll my eyes. “Shouldn’t you be getting home to Violet? I’m sure she’s anxiously awaiting your arrival.”
Violet is about eight months pregnant and pretty much over everything.
“I should. Anyway, this has been fun. I’ll see you in a few days?”
I nod. “I’ll see you at practice. Thanks again, Everett.”
“Of course. Remember, we’re best friends.”
Right. “How could I forget?” I tease.
We shake hands and I make the rest of the walk, having to dodge the crowd of people heading to their cars.
It takes me about fifteen minutes to get into the arena, dreading the amount of work that’s going to be required to break down everything.
When I enter the arena, I’m…shocked.
What the hell?
Literally, twenty minutes ago, there was a ring, chutes, corral, and bleachers. Now, half of it is broken down and being taken out by the massive amount of workers there.
There, in the middle of what was the rodeo, is Tessa. She’s pointing and directing everything. “You, right there—hi, how are you? Thank-you so much, can you please move that fence there so the machine can get in here?” she asks, her beautiful smile causing the young man to nod quickly. “Thank-you.”
He grabs the section of fence that was sitting on the ground and brings it to the side. She continues to give orders, and I watch her in amazement.
She looks as though she’s done this her whole life.
Tessa’s eyes meet mine, and she graces me with that smile. Only this one is warmer. She waves. I wave back and then she ducks her head.
“Killian? Can you help me with some of this?” Hazel asks, appearing at my side and pulling me away from staring at Tessa.
“Of course.”
Hazel and I work on her booth, taking everything down, packing it away in a very specific order—one that I wasn’t aware of, but apparently should’ve known.
She huffs.
I laugh.
We then get it done.
“Anything else?” I ask.
“Do you want some coffee? I have a feeling you’re going to be out here for the night.”
I chuckle. “I’m sure. I’d love some.”
Hazel goes into her car, grabs a thermos, and pours me a cup.
Seriously, she makes the best coffee I’ve ever had. I don’t know what it is, but she truly has a gift. “This is perfect,” I say.
“I’m glad you like it. Hey, would you mind grabbing my purse and laptop that I left in the main house? I’m so sorry. I just need to finish loading the car and it’s a bit like Tetris, so…it’s better if I do it.”
“Sure thing.”
I walk across the property, and if I thought Tessa was brilliant before, now it’s confirmed. The entire arena is almost cleared out. The rodeo is broken down, all that’s left are a few of the vendors who clearly don’t have Tessa orchestrating things.
Once I find the purse and laptop, I make my way back so I can give them to Hazel. By the time I come within earshot, she’s talking to someone new.
“Seriously, Tessa, this has been absolutely amazing. You are truly amazing. To have put all this on, to have brought the town together, just…wow,” Hazel says, and I stop before I get close enough that they can see me.
It makes me happy that Tessa is going to hear about how great this was from someone else.
Too few people let this woman know just how incredible she is.
“Thanks, but truly I didn’t do anything.”
Hazel scoffs. “Please! You did all of this. Everyone here was so impressed. None more than me, though, I have to tell you. Which, leads me to my next question for you.”
“Oh?” Tessa asks with a hint of confusion.
“I was wondering… are you taking on new clients? I think Prose & Perk could really expand a bit if I had the right person to help me with this stuff. I didn’t even think about doing any kind of event like this, but I made so much money today.
Not to mention all the people who said they will come by now because of the coffee.
It was a great way to get some exposure. ”
I watch as Tessa’s eyes brighten. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, I don’t know what your costs are, but I’d love to talk about it. I really wish you could stay in Ember Falls, but I know that’s just my wishful thinking.”
Mine too. I want her to stay here—with me.
The thought hits me so hard that I clutch my chest.
“I wish I could too,” Tessa admits. “I mean, you know, because…all of my clients are here.”
Although, in her voice, I hear something else. A longing. One that I feel in my heart.
“Not because of any other reason?” Hazel nudges her.
“He’s also my client.”
“He is, but…why can’t you stay? Do you like it here?”
Tessa nods quickly. “I do. I love Ember Falls. It’s such a great town and, I could see myself here, but…my job is in New York. I can’t imagine that Brynlee or Thea would let me just move here.”
“Think of all the travel you’ll save on,” Hazel says with a laugh.
I watch as Tessa shakes her head, seeming to search for something to say and then settles on, “I wish. For several reasons.”
Hazel reaches her hand out, resting it on her shoulder. “If one of those reasons happens to be the owner of this ranch, I think it’s a good one.”
“Even if I could, I can’t.” Tessa laughs and then tucks her hair behind her ear. “I know how that certain owner feels and…you know, I wouldn’t want to just assume.”
“I don’t think you know anything,” Hazel informs her and then grabs one of the boxes, putting it in the car. “Let me ask you this then, if you had permission from your boss and Killian wanted you to stay, would you?”
I wait, my heart pounding against my chest, not realizing how much I want the answer to this. How badly I want more days and nights with her. Not understanding that while we’ve been telling ourselves this is casual, and my attempts to make that be the case, it hasn’t been.
She’s more.
So much more.
But I want her to live her life, chase her dreams, and not be some guy in another state who holds her back.
I want to be the man who makes her dreams come true, not robs her of them.
Tessa smiles. “Yes. There’s nothing I would want more than to stay.”
Her answer takes me by surprise. I thought she wanted to go back to New York and live the life she’s worked so hard for, but this…this changes everything.
If she wants to stay, even if there’s just a chance of it, then I need to show her that I never want her to leave.