11. Mira
Mira
“That’s not a fire. It’s just the smell of dinner. We usually cook it over an open flame here.”
My stomach growls at the mention of food, and he grins. ““Come on. Let’s get you fed.”
He helps me down from the tractor. We walk hand in hand to the food area, and I like the way it feels to have him touching me. I want to reach for this thing between us. But what if I choose wrong again? What if there’s something hidden about Cord that I’m just not seeing?
At the fire pit, there are mainly men standing around including a silver-haired fox who’s currently flipping burgers. He’s attractive but not nearly like Cord is. Cord is the handsomest guy I’ve ever met, and it’s more than just how he looks. It’s how he cares for me.
There’s one woman sitting in a chair next to a bearded cowboy. She lights up when she sees me and waves.
I recognize her as Lauren from the website and social media videos. She’s the one who coordinated the entire fundraiser. She did it to save her aunt’s retirement home, so the seniors in Courage County would have a place to live.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Lauren says as soon as she sees me. “I got so excited when Cord said he was bringing you by.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you in person,” I tell her, meaning it. I love being in a small town where a stranger greets me with the words, I’m glad you’re here.
She gestures for me to take the camping chair next to her, and I plop in it gratefully.
I’m exhausted from being on my feet all day. While I loved being out in the sunshine and working outdoors, I don’t know how Cord manages to do it. He must have some kind of stamina that allows him to work logging all week, then come on weekends to the farm and keep up with chores here.
He explained that both are twenty-four-seven activities that require continuous monitoring because Mother Nature is unpredictable.
“Have you met the veterans?” She points to the silver-haired fox turning burgers. “That’s Ridge. He’s the oldest one here. Then beside him, there’s Bronco. He’s my man.” She points across the fire. “That’s Kane and beside him is Flint.”
They both tip their hats to me, then go back to drinking their beers and discussing something. I can’t hear what it is from this distance, but it sounds like they’re arguing about which superhero could win in a fight against a feral bear.
“Ignore them. They’re always arguing about something,” Lauren says.
I stare at Flint for a moment too long. I recognize him from the website. He’s the one that I bought for Ronnie’s birthday. He has an easygoing demeanor, and I hope that he brings some joy to Ronnie’s life. She could use something good.
“Vale isn’t here today. He’s my brother.
He was missing in action and presumed dead for years.
The men on the ranch mounted search and rescue missions until they were able to bring him home.
I still don’t know how they did it. They put so much time and money and energy into searching, then one day against all odds, he’s coming home.
” She sniffs, and I can tell it’s still a sensitive topic for her.
“How is he now?” I ask, my heart twisting. Vale’s story could so easily be Cord’s story. What if he were the one missing in action? What if I never got to meet my big, strong cowboy?
“He’s sad,” Lauren answers, oblivious to my thoughts about Cord. “I think maybe he lost someone he loved along the way.”
“I can’t imagine how difficult that must be.” I try but I can’t spend too much time thinking about what my life would look like if Cord weren’t part of it or I’ll burst into tears.
Bronco brings us burgers, and I don’t miss the casual wink he sends her way. She blushes, giggling like a young girl before turning back to me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean for the discussion to get heavy. Cord said that you guys got married.”
“Married life is the best,” I tell her thinking of our tractor ride and how it quickly turned into a makeout session The truth is, I want a thousand more days with Cord that are just like today. But will we get that chance? What if he gets tired of waiting for me to find my way back to him?
Cord
Mira and Lauren are in Bronco’s house doing whatever it is that women do when they hit it off and decide they need to talk away from the boys. I was relieved to see the easy friendship that was already starting. I spend a lot of time at the ranch, and I want Mira to love it too.
The guys and I are enjoying beers underneath the stars. Vale arrived a few minutes ago, but he hasn’t said much. That’s not new though.
“Did you find a farm manager?” Bronco asks.
Flint nods. “I hired a guy by the name of Ron. Seems like a good guy if the resume is anything to go by.”
“You didn’t interview him?” Kane asks. He’s one of the new guys here, but he’s a hard worker and tough as nails. He’s going to be a hell of an addition to the crew if he ever figures out how to silence those demons of his.
Flint shrugs. “I would rather let the guy prove himself through hard work.”
There’s a murmur through the group, all of us seeming to come to the agreement that this is the best way to find someone to work on the farm. After all, it doesn’t do us any good to have a business manager that’s scared of long days and dirty work.
“I’ve got my assignment coming up soon,” Flint says, “so I’ll be away for a couple of days.”
“Your assignment?” Vale asks, something lighting up on his face. I suspect he’s looking for anything to distract him from the pain. He lost a girl. He’s been searching for her, but so far, he hasn’t had any luck locating her.
“Yeah, I’ll have to meet with whoever Lauren sold me to and figure out what the fuck I’m supposed to do.”
“Be your usual charming self,” Kane says, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
“Whoa there, we don’t want her asking for a refund,” I tell Flint.
He flips me the bird.
Kane crushes his beer can. “It’ll probably be a walk in the park. I’m still waiting for my assignment. Hope she’s got long legs and a smart mouth. Fuck, I love it when they’re sassy.”
“What about you?” I ask Ridge.
He shrugs. “Still waiting on my girl too.”
“Let’s hope she enjoys visiting you in the nursing home, grandpa,” Flint answers.
He’s only teasing him because he’s the oldest veteran here.
I don’t think he’s more than ten or so years older than most of us.
Lauren had a name for him. Something about a fox but hell if I remember.
Can’t keep up with women. There’s only one woman I’m paying attention to these days.
Ridge ignores the barb from Flint and focuses on Vale. “Are you still looking?”
“I’ll never stop,” Vale answers, referring to his search for his wife. I hope for his sake that he finds her soon. I hope she’s just as in love with him as he is with her. I couldn’t imagine how I’d feel if Mira didn’t love me back. Just the thought makes me feel like I can’t breathe.
Kane clears his throat. “Look, somebody has got to say it. You may not find her, and maybe that makes me an asshole, but let your wife go, man.”
I exchange a look with Bronco who shakes his head. “He can’t.”
Kane pops a tab on his new beer. “And why is that?”
It’s hard to explain why, and we’re all quiet for a moment, searching for the right words. Finally, I tell Kane, “When you have a woman who is the reason your heart beats, there’s nothing on this earth that will convince you to let her go.”