Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Noah
“Rise ’n’ shine!” Magnolia bursts through my door with two coffees.
I stand shell-shocked with a towel wrapped around me as she smiles wide.
“Latte?” She holds it out, and I hesitantly take it.
“Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” I pop the lid and smell the inside before sipping it.
It's only seven in the morning, and Magnolia Sutherland is wide-eyed and bushy-tailed like she's ready to take on the world.
“Your best friend who doesn't have to work and put up with Mrs. Blanche all day.”
“Mmm. This is good.” I swirl it around before taking a bigger gulp. “Somethin' nutty.”
“Toffee White Mocha with caramel drizzle and an extra shot.”
“You made this at home?”
“If you'd ever come to my apartment, you'd see my new coffee bar setup. I bought new syrups and an expensive frother.” She follows as I walk to the bathroom.
“I'm tellin' ya, you need to ditch your job and start your own business. Mrs. Blanche has nothin' on this.” I smile wide at her through the mirror.
“No bank in Tennessee will give me a small business loan with my credit. I'd need a co-signer, and my parents already told me no,” she says, sitting on the toilet as I grab what I need to get ready.
They're upset she didn't go to college and won't help her financially. She moved out and got a job, but she's miserable working for someone else. Magnolia would be an awesome small business owner if she could just get the chance to prove herself.
“Any idea how much you'd need?” I grab my makeup bag, then dig for my moisturizer and concealer.
“Well, no, not yet. But I was browsin’ online and saw the cutest mobile café ideas.
Kinda like food trucks but for coffee. Buyin’ a trailer would be my biggest upfront cost, but after that, it'd be cheap overhead. I could rotate spots every few months, grow my customer base, and then who knows? Find a permanent spot and meet my future husband.”
I laugh at that. “One goal at a time, Mags.”
She opens her photos app and flips through the pictures she saved.
“Those western-themed ones are adorable! Oh my gosh, I love this idea!”
“Right? I'd paint the outside like a pretty rose or teal color, then have a cool sign with Magnolia's Morning Mocha or somethin’ like that. Anyway, I'd need a loan to buy the trailer or truck, hire a contractor to help me gut it—unless I manage to find a used one already done, then I’d need to just fix it up. I’d have to pay for the permits and licenses, then order all my supplies and equipment. So probably upward of forty to fifty grand? Give or take.”
“Okay, that's not too bad for a start-up. I bet a bank would approve you for that.”
“Know of any bankers who wouldn't expect me to start payin' it back for like a year?”
“We could do a Kickstarter? They buy coffee for a year upfront, and you get your money now.” I shrug, not quite sure if that'd work, but if I know Magnolia, she won't stop until she gets what she wants.
“We can brainstorm later. Today is all about you! Are you excited?”
“You mean, it's all about the charity.”
She waves me off. “Yeah, them too. I need a Fisher update, too. Any word on Jase?”
After Fisher left last night, I was too emotionally exhausted to chat on the phone with her, so I just texted a summary of what happened when Fisher came to my house.
“No, just what my dad told me. Gramma Grace cleaned him up, Dad gave him a talkin'-to, then Jase went home. After Fisher left, he went to Jase's house. Haven't heard anythin' since.”
I pull out my mascara and finish up my makeup routine.
“How’re ya feelin' about everythin'? What does your gut say?”
I brush through my hair as I stare at my reflection.
“I'd never make him choose, and even if he tried, I wouldn't let him.
He came back for Jase, and it's obvious he needs his father right now.
If Jase does have feelings for me, it makes this even more complicated.
Regardless of me not havin' any feelings for Jase, Fisher won't risk it.
He already mentioned not wanting to screw up his second chance with his son.
I can't be the person to get in the way of that.
He'd end up resentin’ me, and that'd make all of this pointless.”
“So...you're sayin' it's over, then?” She crosses her legs, staring up at me.
My heart shatters at hearing it said aloud.
“I have a tiny sliver of hope there's a way around it, but I doubt it. Fisher blamed himself for Lyla's death, then left Jase when he was only fourteen. He's not gonna make that mistake twice. I'm the threat that could take it all away for him. He'd be stupid to keep sneakin' around with me.”
“That ain’t fair, Noah. Jase needs to grow up and get over it.”
“It's not that easy, Mags. Fisher thinks the betrayal alone would be enough to ruin their relationship.
He finds out we went behind his back, Jase may never forgive him.
We tell him ourselves, and Jase could make him choose.
Honestly, I dunno what Jase's reaction would be, but after yesterday, I can't imagine it'd be a good one.”
“So he has daddy issues. Who doesn't? He can talk to a therapist like everyone else and let his father be happy still.”
I grab my blow-dryer and unravel the cord. “Now I know why you didn't pass psychology our senior year.”
“It was a snoozefest with Mr. Monotone puttin' me to sleep. That ain't my fault.”
“Can you find me a cute outfit while I finish up?” I ask, desperate to change the subject.
“Business cute or seduce your ex-boyfriend's dad cute?”
“Why do I ask you anythin'?” I deadpan.
She bounces to her feet and wraps her arms around me. “Because you loooooove me.”
I roll my eyes, then turn on the dryer.
It'll be hot as usual, but with local newspaper journalists coming, I want to be somewhat presentable for pictures. Instead of throwing my hair up in a messy bun like I do most days, I do a half ponytail and curl some of the strands that frame my face.
“Hot mama!” Magnolia catcalls as soon as I walk into my room.
“What'd ya find me?”
“Two sundress options—an olive-green with come-fuck-me ruffles at the bottom or a sunflower-yellow with spank-me-daddy vibes.” She holds each hanger in her hands and bobs them up and down. “Which one's your favorite?”
“I shouldn't even be surprised you didn't give me a business cute option.” I chuckle, then grab the olive-green one.
Once I'm dressed, I put on my favorite cowboy boots. Then I put on some jewelry, which I don't often wear with training, but I want to look nice.
“Bringin' out the big guns for Fisher, huh?” Magnolia sits on the edge of my bed, watching my every move.
“Yeah, bangles and baby hoops should entice him to ditch his son and pick me,” I say dryly.
She stands and walks up behind me as I stare in my full-length mirror.
“You don't have to pretend with me, Noah. It's okay to be upset that y’all can't be together.”
“I'd really like not to think about that today. At least until I have to. He'll be one of the judges, so it's not like he'll be avoidable. I'd rather live in my clueless bubble for one more day.”
She rests her head on my shoulder. “Okay. Just know I'll be here when you need me. Whoever needs a knee to their dick or hot coffee thrown at their face, you call me. But I’d rather knee them because wastin’ coffee is a crime.”
I lean my head on top of hers and smile. “Thanks, Mags. Glad I can always count on you for retribution.”
“Day or night!”
When I get to the barn, it's all hands on deck. We borrowed ranch hands from the retreat to help with miscellaneous tasks. Sheriff Wagner and a couple of his deputies will also be present to make sure everyone stays safe and nothing gets out of hand.
Knowing I can't talk to Fisher about anything personal will weigh on me all day. Hopefully, with Magnolia and Ellie being my right-hand women, they'll talk my ears off enough to keep me distracted.
We enter the boarding stables where Ayden's already working. With today's activities, he has to get an even earlier start to clean stalls, feed, and water, and be available to help the competitors board their horses for the day.
“Mornin', ladies,” Ayden greets, walking toward us with a shovel.
“How’re things goin' so far? Anythin’ we can do to help?”
“Don't volunteer me for manual labor.” Magnolia elbows me.
I side-eye her, and she shrugs.
“I'll supervise,” she clarifies.
After checking in with Ruby and Trey and making sure they're good to go, Magnolia and I meet up with Ellie next. Regardless of her being sad about Ranger’s inability to compete today, she's in a happy mood.
The trainers and competitors start to arrive, and I welcome each one as they unload their horses.
Momma and Gramma helped me make goodie bags this past week, so once they're settled, I deliver their bags and welcome them.
Most of them I've informally met at other competitions or only saw their pictures in brochures, but it’s nice to officially meet them.
“Thank you for not invitin' Craig Sanders. He's been the biggest nuisance of my life since I rejected his offer to work with him.” Brittany MacIntire approaches with her trainer, Amelia Bradshaw.
“You and me both.” I groan.
“Wait, I heard he was comin'?” Amelia looks back and forth between us. “One of his clients' sisters told me.”
“He still has clients?” I snort. “Well, considerin' he's trespassed on the property and vandalized the trainin' center, he'll get a police escort if he shows his face.”
“He apparently ain't so happy the Fanning sisters left him for you.” Amelia shrugs. “Not that I can blame them.”
There's no bitterness or jealousy in her tone, which is a welcome surprise.
Harlow and Delilah Fanning deserve a trainer who can help them advance, not scream at them when they mess up.
Harlow's one of my clients, so she's here to show, but since I haven't signed with Delilah yet, I wasn't able to enter her name.
But she's still coming to support her sister.