Chapter 1
One Year Later…
“So, I might’ve done something…” Tracy’s voice trailed off nervously, her eyes darting across the breakfast table.
Llewellyn looked up at her tiredly. She’d been dragging this entire last year, being without Sally. She hadn’t expected how much of a difference a single person could make to the equilibrium of her life.
“I kinda made a profile…on the alien dating site.”
Lou’s eyes blazed at Tracy. “You did whatnow?”
“It’s just, Sally’s been so happy! And I…well I keep seein’ all these hunky guys posted and well…” she trailed off miserably, hunching down in her seat.
Lou took in a shaky breath, trying not to cry. She covered her face with her hands.
“Aw, no, Lou, please don’t cry! I ain’t done nothin’ on it yet, it’s just the profile!”
“Nooo, it’s fiinnee. I’m sorry.” Lou’s voice was muffled in between sobs. “I j-just m-miss herrrrr!”
Tracy slid over and put an arm around the other woman. “Oh baby, I know. We all do!”
Chet chose that moment to come clattering in.
“Hey baby!” he said cheerfully, knocking the dirt off his boots.
Lou answered him with a sob.
Chet’s face dropped and he rushed over. “Oh my gahd, Lou, what’s wrong?!”
“I dunno, are you pregnant, darlin’?” Tracy asked, hoping the joke would snap Lou out of it.
Chet went pale. “What?! Not by me she ain’t!”
Lou looked up at him with murder in her eye and a metaphorical dagger on her tongue. Chet looked instantly guilty.
“Sorry, baby, that came out wrong. You know I’d be very happy to have a kid with you—It just wouldn’t be from me, cuz I got myself snipped. So if you were pregnant from me, I’d be callin’ fey bullshit on that.”
“Y-yeah, tha’s fair,” Lou sniffled, putting her head down on her arms, sprawling across the table in her misery.
Chet looked daggers at Tracy for that terrible setup.
Tracy just shrugged. She’d also been off all year. It really felt like they’d lost their lodestone, having Sally be so far away. And then Curly had gone and sold the rodeo to some new dipshit out of New York. What did New York know about rodeos? Nothing, that’s what!
Tracy sighed heavily.
“I told her I made a profile on the alien datin’ site,” she said quietly to him.
“Aw, shit, Trace.” Chet ran an agitated hand through his hair. “When do y’leave?”
“I ain’t goin’ nowhere! I just opened the dang profile!” Tracy pouted grumpily. “I just wanted to look at hunky guys!”
“WAIT!”
Chet and Tracy both jumped as Lou sat up suddenly.
“I KNOW WHAT TO DO.”
The two exchanged apprehensive glances as Lou continued.
“We are all miserable here, but we could be miserable together with Sally, so I’m gonna make that happen! I don’t know how yet, but I’m gonna figure it out!”
Lou jumped up and gave Chet a big smackerooney on the lips. He kissed her back, looking confused as she disappeared in the other room. She came back with a rolodex, her laptop, and a notebook.
“Oh no,” he muttered. He looked over at Tracy with a narrowed glance. “I blame you for this one.”
Tracy winced. “Yeah, I cain’t argue that.”
“CHET!”
“Aw, fudge.”
“Start plannin’ the weddin’! We’ve gotta get everything we need before we go.” She looked up at him, eyes blazing hazel fire. “WE ARE TAKIN’ THE RODEO…INTO SPACE!”
…TO BE CONTINUED.