Chapter 22 Forest
forest
November brought in a big cold front and our first big snowstorm that lasted a few days.
We spent days getting ready for it, making sure the herd would have enough feed to keep them warm and then making sure the troughs stayed thawed.
The temperatures were also going to dip into the single digits at night, so we needed to make sure everyone had sufficient water.
I made sure I stayed very busy, but I felt Theo’s stare as we worked, and I hated that I was so foolish to let myself be careless with Jude and Webber.
Seeing Jude pout after the rodeo made me uncomfortable, and I knew it was because of what we discussed about his sister keeping her relationship a secret.
You had to be an idiot not to see that Jude wore his heart on his sleeve.
He cared deeply and loved with everything he had in him.
Webber and I were no exception. I saw right through him, but this was supposed to be fun, and I wasn’t going to stay in Sterling Ridge.
My time here had an expiration date, so why had I kissed them in public?
Why had I laid my claim, made things even more complicated?
It felt right though. Nothing had ever felt more right than them. That terrified me.
The bed was cold as I rolled over, searching for one of the men that made me feel things I was trying so hard not to feel. I groaned, stretching towards my nightstand that had my phone. It was nine-thirty in the morning, which meant Jude had left for work, but where the hell was Webber?
I rolled out of bed quickly, throwing on some clothes cause it was cold as hell. The storm broke yesterday, but we were supposed to have cold temps and some snow the next couple of days. I walked to the living room to see the fireplace on, but no sign of Webber.
He had made coffee and knowing him, he probably went to go check on the herd.
For a city boy, he loved the herd as much as I did.
I quickly changed, throwing on my warmest clothes, grabbing an extra thermos of coffee to give to Webber to warm him up.
I left the house, heading to my truck when I noticed that tracks led to the right of the house, instead of to the left towards our cars.
His car was still parked by my truck, but his footprints were going the opposite direction. I followed his trail through the trees, getting a little worried when I realized he was heading to the lake. What if he fell in? I rushed towards the lake, fear making me rush when I stopped suddenly.
I worried for nothing as Webber skated over the lake gracefully.
He didn’t look bundled up nearly enough, but he moved so fluidly that he had to be warm enough.
His reddish hair was peeking out underneath a beanie, along with his rosy cheeks and the biggest smile I had seen on his face that still continued to take my breath away.
Sam Webber was so damn handsome.
He raced across the lake before skating backwards and then skating forwards again.
I pulled out my phone suddenly, needing to capture the moment and send it to Jude.
We worried about him, but this made me feel like he was going to be alright.
It seemed visiting the college hockey team had done some good for him.
I recorded and took too many photos of him, sending them to Jude. I sat down on a rock admiring him a little more.
Princess: Damn, he looks good.
Princess: I swear, he’s always looked the happiest on the ice.
Me: I don’t think I've ever seen him smile so big.
Princess: He has, lately his smiles have been coming easier. Take more pictures before he notices and make sure our man doesn’t overexert himself.
Me: Will do. Have a good day, miss you already.
Princess: Miss you too, Daddy.
My face grew warm at reading his text and I realized I was smiling like a goof. I looked up to see Webber looking at me. He had a goofy smile too as he skated to me. My heart flipped as he came closer and I loved seeing him like this.
“Hey, stalker,” he said, coming to the edge.
“Hey, Peaches. Lookin’ good out there,” I said, tipping my hat to him.
“I feel good,” he said with a grin. “I’ve skated a few times with the team and each time it's been getting better. I knew I had to see if the lake had frozen over, so I couldn't miss this opportunity.”
“Well, I’m glad you didn’t,” I said, handing him a thermos. “Don’t overexert yourself, please.”
“I won’t, maybe another ten minutes,” he said, taking a sip of the coffee.
“You sure it's safe?” I asked, looking out at the lake.
“Yeah, it’s pretty solid,” he said looking down. “We’ve had temps down for long enough and I've skated around seeing no cracks.”
“Maybe you should get off,” I said, as I pictured Webber falling into the lake.
“I’m fine, you don’t have to worry about me even though I love it,” he said, throwing me a kiss.
“Webber,” I chastised. “I think—”
“Ten minutes and that's it, please?” he pouted.
Dammit.
“Fine,” I grumbled. “I’ll stay to make sure you don’t fall in.”
“If skating is the way I go—”
“Sam Webber,” I growled.
He cackled as he skated away. I looked around for a place to sit that wouldn’t make my ass too wet.
I only found a stump that was covered with debris and once I cleared it, it was mostly dry.
Once I sat down, I leisurely drank my coffee admiring Webber.
I took more pictures like a proud parent wishing I could have seen him play in person. He was probably amazing.
As I was admiring him my phone rang and I expected to see Jude’s number, but when it was a Texas number, I hesitated. It had been a while since I had gotten a call from Texas, but something told me to answer.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Forest?”
“This is he,” I answered.
“Hey, Forest. This is Walker, how are you doing man?”
“Hey man!” I said. “I’m doing pretty good and yourself? How’s the ranch doing?”
“I’m doing good,” he replied. “I was calling to see if you're looking for work in the new year. I need some help on the ranch down here and also possibly working the stockyards.”
“That sounds like a big job,” I said, watching Webber racing across the lake.
“It is, but look, I’m going to need the help for a year at most,” he said. “I know you don’t like to hang out for more time than that, but I have no one else I'd trust and I’m willing to pay top dollar for you.”
“Top dollar, eh?”
“The ranch is doing great and if you can do both the ranch and the stockyards, I think we can give you at least a hundred thousand,” he said, sounding cocky.
“You think?” I didn’t like his tone and if I was doing all that work there was no way in hell I’d take less than a hundred thousand. “That sounds like a lot of my weekends won’t be off.”
“For you, Forest, I’d give you what you want,” he said. “I trust no one else with my ranch except you.”
Webber waved at me as I smiled.
“When do you need me by?” I asked, feeling nervous.
“My ranch hand leaves February 1st, but I’d like you here before he leaves,” he said.
That was less than three months here.
“Ok, well let me think about it,” I said, even though my knee-jerk reaction was to say yes. “I have some shit going on that I can’t just get up and leave.”
“Yeah, no problem, but I'd like an answer as soon as possible,” he said. “Maybe before the new year, just in case you can’t make it.”
“Yeah, I’ll try and give you an answer before that.” I shook my head as Webber skated towards me. “I’ll call you back as soon as I have an answer.”
I hung up before Webber came too close. My heart raced as I thought about what had just happened. A ping alerted me of a text and I glanced at it. My heart twisted when I saw it was my sister.
Melanie: I miss you. I hope you’re doing ok.
“Hey,” he said, a little out of breath.
“You about done?” I tried to keep my voice neutral.
“Yeah, I’m cold as hell,” he chuckled, looking adorable with his red nose and cheeks.
“Great, get your ass out before you give me a heart attack,” I said playfully, hoping to mask the nervousness I was feeling.
I know I hadn’t done anything yet, but I felt like I had betrayed Webber and Jude by taking that call, but staying put wasn’t me.
“Yes sir,” Webber said, and I forced myself to smile.
He got off the lake as I helped him get his boots on so I didn’t have to look at him, too afraid he would see the betrayal on my face.
“Thanks, Daddy,” he said, as I helped him up.
I rolled my eyes at him, but he got me to finally smile.
“Come on, get your ass moving,” I said, slapping his behind. “I’m starving.”
“Okay,” he chuckled. “Hey, I was wondering if you'd like to come to a college hockey game next week.”
“Sure, just tell me when and where.” I grabbed his hand as we started walking back to the cabin.
“OK, I’d like you and Jude to see the kids, I—”
He stayed silent for a moment when I looked over at him to make sure he was ok. He had a small smile on his face.
“They are pretty cool, and I think they have come pretty far since I first met them. I think it would be cool to see them play,” he said, sounding nervous.
“You’ve gone to see them a few times?” I asked, helping him over a log.
“Yeah, I see improvement and I think it would be awesome to see them in a game,” he said. “During practices, I can almost picture myself working as a coach and I know it's stupid.”
“Nah, Peaches, it's not,” I said, pulling him to me where I was able to see that adorable blush a little better. “If it's something you want, maybe you should ask.”
He shrugged, looking at his feet. “They have been interviewing coaches.”
“Hey, look at me.” I pushed his chin up to look at me. “Put your hat in the ring. You won’t know if you don’t try.”
He blushed again. “Ok, but if I do, you have to try to come to my games, cheer me on as coach.”
“You got it, Peaches,” I said, kissing his forehead.
We continued to walk back to the cabin as my stomach soured.
If I left, I wouldn’t be able to support him, but who knew how long this was going to last. Maybe it was best to cut and run now, even if everything in me wanted to stay.
Sam was still a free agent, and he could leave at any moment.
If that happened, we didn’t know where he would go.
Would he still want us? Sam and Jude had the power to destroy me, and I didn’t know if I'd be able to survive another heartache.