CHAPTER TWO
I dle chatter mixes with the swanky country song streaming from the overhead speakers. I scan the familiar faces gathered at our local watering hole. As someone raised halfway between here and Knox Creek, I have several options within close range. But my loyalty falls on this side of the fence. Cloverleaf Meadows is home.
It’s a typical crowd for a Wednesday night as we attempt to take the edge off after the daily grind. The Paddock grants us a reprieve from our troubles in the form of cheap booze and good company. That’s what keeps us coming back for more.
Coffee beans get lost in foam when I take a sip of my espresso martini. This Western-themed dive bar—or old-fashioned saloon, if I’m being generous—might resemble the interior of a barn, but their cocktails can rival any upscale city joint. And at a fraction of the price.
Movement from my left pulls me from those random thoughts. I swivel on my stool to face my best friend as she props her elbow on the wood counter. Bianca has been unusually quiet since we arrived thirty minutes ago. My focus doesn’t waver while she twirls a dark strand of hair around her finger, appearing lost in thought.
“Hey,” I murmur. “Will you be okay?”
Her responding laugh borders on shrill. “You’re asking me?”
“Um, yeah?”
She waves me off. “I’m worried about how you’ll manage without me.”
“It’ll be a real struggle,” I admit. “But I’m glad you decided to go.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. You’re chasing what your heart desires. That’s a dream come true. An adventure of a lifetime.” I flick my wrist for theatrical flair. “Not many people get to fly across the ocean to visit a foreign country for as long as their heart desires.”
She gnaws on her bottom lip. “Seems pretty crazy, huh?”
“It’s incredible.” Not that I’d ever be brave enough to follow in her cowboy boots.
Her lashes flutter as moisture collects in her eyes. “You don’t think I’m running away?”
“No.” My voice clangs with conviction. “There’s nothing wrong with leaving your struggles by the door while you kick your feet in a beautiful fairytale cottage.”
Bianca exhales, slumping lower in her seat. “Mhmm, sounds like paradise.”
“Definitely.”
Her nod is resolute. “This is exactly what I need. ”
I rub her back, my palm moving in soothing circles. “You’ll be able to breathe easier over there.”
“Gosh, I hope so.” A small smile touches her lips. “And I hope she’d be proud of me for taking the leap.”
“Very much so. It was practically her idea, right? She’ll be watching over you every step of the way.”
“I’ll find her in the sunrise.”
“And in your heart,” I add.
A single tear rolls down her cheek. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”
An ache spreads through my chest. That hollow throb hasn’t ceased in the months since Marion Benson’s life was snatched in an instant. I was there when she collapsed. It’s a moment that haunts me.
My nose stings and I sniff. “She will never be forgotten, Bee. Her spirit lives in your memories. That’s how you keep her with you forever. Just think about her and then she’s there.”
Bianca rests her head on my shoulder when I loop an arm around hers. “That’s a beautiful sentiment. I’m sure she’s smiling at us right now, surrounded by peace and love.”
“Along with Mimi,” I whisper. My grandmother passed years ago but her loss still feels like a fresh wound on certain days.
“They’re probably riding Secretariat and Seattle Slew as we speak.”
“Yeah.” I reach for my drink to chase off the tightness in my throat. “What a race that would be.”
Bianca straightens and wipes at her face. “Whew, okay. Enough of that. I swore to myself that I wouldn’t cry all over you tonight. ”
My lips wobble as I smile. “You know I don’t mind.”
She shakes her head. “I’m already taking advantage of your kindness.”
“Hardly,” I scoff. “That champion herd of yours is better stocked than a fantasy team.”
“But you have your own to worry about. My horses are very demanding. They’ll test your patience on the daily.”
“Challenge accepted,” I boast.
“What if your parents need you at the store?”
“Just on the weekends when the market is open. Gemma and Ryder are still home from college for a few more weeks. They can take extra shifts,” I tell her. “Quit stressing. There’s nothing to worry about. You’re doing me a favor by keeping me busy. How else will I pass the time while you’re gone?”
Bianca purses her lips. “Go on a date. Get laid. Maybe find a handsome fella to claim as your boyfriend. You’re gonna get lonely without me.”
“Not possible. I’ll be surrounded by your most prized possessions. There won’t be a dull moment.” I grin while envisioning the extra hours I’ll soon be spending in the saddle.
“You should bring Ritzy and Maverick to the ranch.”
My smile spreads at the mention of my two horses. “That’s not necessary. I can go back and forth.”
She flicks off the suggestion. “There are empty stalls and an extra corral for them. Plenty of pasture too. Why waste time and energy?”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Shouldn’t you ask—?”
“Nope,” she cuts in. “This is my decision. You’re going out of your way for me. The least I can do is pave the road for you.”
I laugh at her choice in phrasing. “It would make my life easier.”
“Consider it done.” She brushes her palms together. “Feel free to haul any of mine to jackpots and rodeos while you’re at it. Don’t let them get lazy. It’s tough to get them conditioned.”
“Uh-huh, whatever. Those natural athletes could get a year off and still be in competitive shape.”
“That type of attitude will lead slackers to the trough.” Bianca wags a finger at me.
“Okay, fine. I won’t let them stray from the circuit.” An exaggerated exhale sends my hair flying. “This is a dream gig, Bee. Not sure why you insist on paying me. It should be the other way around.”
My bestie giggles into her cocktail. “As if. Can you imagine? It’s the least I can do for abandoning you. Besides, how else will you keep The Paddock in business while I’m away?”
“That’s a fair point.” My concentration drifts across wagon wheels and whiskey barrels, leading to the far corner where Bucky rests. Fire singes my cheeks while a very specific memory involving that mechanical bull floats to the surface. I square my shoulders while gathering courage to ask my next question. “How did Brody take the news?”
“Better than expected.” But her grumbled tone suggests otherwise. “He tried bossing me around, but soon realized that I wasn’t backing down.”
Just thinking about Brody Benson’s grumpy demeanor elevates my temperature. I swallow another swig of espresso martini for liquid courage. “Did you tell him that I’ll be in charge of your barn?”
Her nod synchronizes to the upbeat song telling us to shake it off . “I strongly advised him to stay away from you.”
The boozy concoction gets stuck in my throat and I choke. “What? Why?”
“You don’t need his broody brand of assholery blocking your path. He’ll just drag you down and cause problems.” Bianca tosses a glare over her shoulder at the shadowed figure darkening the corner. “Like that pain in my plans. He’s starting his guard duty early. Freaking loser.”
My gaze joins hers to scrutinize how Colton is failing at blending into the background. “Could be worse. At least he’s nice to look at.”
“But his personality is more abrasive than a brick wall.”
“That’s probably why your brother assigned him to this task. You’d have any other guy eating out of your palm before landing overseas.”
Bianca offers a noncommittal hmph in response. “Don’t give Brody any credit. Not one inch. He’ll use it against you. That’s how you end up looking weak and stuck with security detail.”
Laughter bursts from me to tease her sour expression. “He’s just watching out for you, Bee.”
“That’s a nice way of putting it, which he doesn’t deserve.” A gentle smile betrays her grumbling. “I shouldn’t be too hard on him. He’s doing so much for our family and the business. I’d crack under the responsibilities he had to accept practically overnight. But he’s different too. Colder. Maybe that’s how he manages to keep himself together. ”
A painful sting spreads across my upper body and I flinch. “That sounds… really rough. Is he okay?”
She’s quiet for a moment, heavily chewing on contemplation. “He’s probably fine. The man acts like a machine. I think the constant workload helps him cope. He needs purpose. That driving force.”
“Are you sure?”
“No.”
I pause before asking, “Have you talked to him about your mom?”
“A little.” She crosses her arms and avoids my questioning stare. “He’s ignored the subject whenever I’ve asked.”
I bob my head, recalling how Brody reacted when I broached the topic of his feelings at their mother’s funeral. “Grief is…”
“A real bitch,” Bianca finishes for me and hitches her shoulders. “Don’t worry about Brody. He’s got a support system to lean on if he chooses. Our dogs and horses are great listeners. The rest of the animals aren’t too bad either.”
“Not to mention the horde of women ready to soothe his aches and pains,” I mumble under my breath.
“Gross.” My friend shudders and pretends to retch. “Don’t talk about my brother and women . As if I need that visual stamped in my brain. How traumatic.”
“Whoops,” I laugh. “Figured it was common knowledge.”
“Puh-lease,” she drawls. “Brody might be a virgin for all I know. He’s never brought a girl home to meet us.”
That stops me short. “Interesting.”
“Not really. Why are we still discussing my brother’s dating habits?” Her eyes narrow on me. “Are you interested in him? ”
“What? No,” I sputter. “I don’t even know him. We’re practically strangers, which is odd since you’re my best friend. It’s almost like he pretends I don’t exist.”
Bianca swats at that comment, gaining the bartender’s attention. She graciously accepts the opportunity to order another round of drinks from Sal. “Brody’s a busy guy. Don’t take it personally.”
“I don’t.”
Her watchful stare is still glued to my face, prepared to spot a slip. “You’ll rarely see him in the barn, but he’s never far if you need help. He’s reliable like that. I’ll put his number in your phone just in case.”
My focus is riveted to her fingers tapping on my screen. “Seems fair enough.”
“Glad that’s settled,” she chirps. “I don’t want to spend my last night in the States gushing about my brother.”
“Me neither.” Our fresh martinis arrive, and I drift my fingers along the delicate stem. “I’m gonna miss you, Bee.”
“So very much, Lee.” Bianca plops a noisy smooch on my cheek. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
That’s when I notice our fellow patrons throwing sympathetic looks at Bianca. “Our public display is gathering attention. We’ve got rubberneckers.”
My friend glances at those nearby. “They’re waiting for me to crumble.”
“But you won’t.”
“Just might if I stay in town. I have to escape this”—she motions wildly around the room—“before I turn into a hermit and never leave the house.”
I nudge her with my elbow. “As if I’d ever let that happen. ”
“Putting thousands of miles and the Atlantic Ocean between me and Cloverleaf Meadows should help. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough. Cheers.” Bianca raises her glass.
Nerves bubble in my stomach as I lift mine to clink against hers. “Here’s to finding exactly what you need where you least expect it.”