Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chesney
Iwake up before my alarm.
I’m honestly a little surprised I was able to sleep at all, considering what today is and how anxious and excited I am.
I can’t believe today is actually here. Lying on my back, staring up at the ceiling, my heart is already pounding, and then it’s like the realization hits me all over again…
The dude ranch opens today. We actually did this.
I sit up so fast I nearly get tangled in the sheets. “Holy shit.”
It’s ridiculous how happy I am, and how much I’m looking forward to today. I’ve spent the last several months buried in blueprints, construction schedules, permits, invoices, reservation software, vendor calls, and about seven million conversations about things I never thought I’d care about.
Now it’s here, and suddenly, I care about all of it.
The cabins, the horses, the guests, the stupid little welcome baskets sitting in each room that the internet told me would be a “nice touch.” I care about whether the coffee in the dining hall is enough, and whether people will enjoy themselves here.
I truly, sincerely care, and it still blows my mind that when I came back to town, I was convinced I’d hate every second of this.
The plan was clear and simple. I was supposed to put in my year, fix the financial mess, collect my money, and leave.
Instead, I’m standing in the middle of a dream I didn’t know I wanted, and every time the thought of leaving it all at the end of the year pops into my mind lately, I’m filled with this sense of dread.
I never thought I’d be torn about my endgame.
Once I’m dressed, I take a cup of coffee out to the porch. The morning is crisp and bright—the perfect type of day for a grand opening. I look toward Wind River in the distance, toward the cabins I can’t quite see from here, sitting along the ridge, the sky glowing gold from the rising sun.
For a moment, I sit here and think about Honey Creek.
I think about my grandparents and all they did for me.
I think about Nate, the garage, how much that place saved me.
I think about the life I built there and how hard I worked for it.
I may not own the garage, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t bust my ass right alongside Nate, making sure it thrived after my grandfather retired.
Together, we built a reputation, a team, something people trusted even though he wasn’t there anymore.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come and all that I’ve accomplished.
But I don’t know if that’s enough to return to anymore.
I became a mechanic because it made sense and came easily to me.
At the garage, I was good at what I did.
But here, it feels like I’m slowly rediscovering a passion I thought died years ago.
A town I once couldn’t get away fast enough feels like home again.
My chest tightens with that thought.
I still don’t know what I’m going to do at the end of this.
A big part of that will depend on how today goes.
There’s so much I need to think about. But right now isn’t that time because there’s too much I need to get done before the opening.
Finishing my coffee, I rinse the mug in the sink and head over to the ranch.
The first guests arrive at ten. It’s a nice couple from Charlotte who booked two nights in one of the larger cabins. They’re smiling before they even get out of their car. My stomach flips as I walk toward them. This is it.
“Welcome to Wind River Ranch Retreat.”
The woman looks around. “Oh my gosh. This place is beautiful.”
Her husband laughs. “She hasn’t stopped talking about this place since she found it online.”
My pulse speeds up, and I can’t help but smile. “Then I hope we live up to the hype, ma’am.” I take their bags and show them their cabin. As we go, I explain the trail rides, the breakfast schedule, the fire pit, and the rules about wandering near the cattle pastures.
It’s surreal officially having guests here.
The next guests won’t check in for another hour or so.
While I wait, I drive over to the main part of the ranch and make sure we’re all set for tonight.
We’re hosting a grand opening cookout tonight near the barn to celebrate.
Nate’s in town to help me and Wade man the food.
Truett will be making an appearance at some point today, too.
I’m excited to show him what we’ve built. A little nervous too.
“Don’t cry,” Wade says behind me.
I turn around, finding him and Nate leaning against the fence, wearing matching grins. “Not crying.”
“You were getting a little misty,” he teases.
Shaking my head, I chuckle. “Just a little sweat from being behind the grill.”
Nate snorts. “Sure.”
The three of us spent the last several hours cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone.
People are eating, and we’re finally able to catch our breath.
The turnout’s been great so far. Most of the town is here, plus all their out-of-town relatives and friends.
All three reservations have checked in, each one wanting to attend the party.
It’s been fun watching them mingle and interact with everyone.
Wade pats me on the shoulder. “Enough talking. Let’s eat some fucking food and have a couple drinks already. I’m starving.”
“Don’t gotta tell me twice,” I mutter, my stomach growling as if on cue.
After we fill our plates, we take our them outside and sit on top of one of the picnic tables.
The sun hangs low over the ridge, and it’s the perfect temperature for an outdoor party.
My phone buzzes before I have a chance to eat.
I grab it out of my pocket and find a text message from Truett waiting for me.
Truett: I’ll be there shortly. Ran into a hiccup over here, but all’s good now.
Me: Sounds good. See you soon.
I don’t realize how hungry I am until I manage to scarf down a double cheeseburger and two hot dogs.
The food tastes incredible after a long day.
Throwing my plate away, I spot Jasper near the barn, talking to one of the ranch hands.
He catches sight of me too, his eyes lingering a little longer than they should, but mine do too.
My stomach flips. Damn him. I can’t stop thinking about what my brother told me last week. It’s been heavy on my mind constantly.
Jasper walks over, a boyish grin tugging at his mouth. “Busy day?”
“Hell yes.” I chuckle.
His smile widens. “But good?”
“Better than good.”
“I knew you could do it,” he says genuinely.
Something about the way he says it and how he’s looking at me makes my chest ache. “I couldn’t have pulled it off without you manning the ranch. It was a team effort.”
He glances at the party, then back at me.
“I’m proud of you.” The words are unexpected and make my throat uncomfortably tight.
“I know how hard the last few months have been on you, with everything with your dad, and you never let it get in the way of this. When we first discussed opening the dude ranch, I know I was hesitant, but I’m glad we moved forward with it.
I know it’s going to do amazing things for the ranch and our families. ”
My heart slams into my ribs. “Thank you,” is all I can manage. Jasper probably doesn’t even realize what it means to hear him say that.
For a moment, neither of us says anything.
There are people everywhere. Guests. Ranch hands.
People from around town that we’ve known our whole lives.
And yet, it feels like we’re standing alone.
I want to reach for him. I want to apologize for everything I’ve ever done to hurt him and kiss him until he believes the words.
Instead, I shove my hands into my pockets because we talked about this.
It was me who told him we should stop, that whatever this was between us could become too messy, that I didn’t want to destroy everything we were working toward.
And it wouldn’t be fair for me to take it all back when I’m still so unsure about what my future holds.
After tonight, I don’t know if I can realistically see myself leaving all this behind to return to Honey Creek.
But Jasper deserves more from me than an “I don’t know. ”
Pushing all that from my mind, I clear my throat, remembering there’s something I still need to do.
“Come with me,” I murmur, nodding toward the side-by-side in front of the barn.
Jasper’s brows dip before a smile breaks through. “Where?”
“I want to show you something.”
Despite his confusion, Jasper slides in beside me.
I drive down to the dude ranch side and park in front of the check-in office.
He follows behind me without questions, though I can practically hear them in his mind.
My hands tremble as I unlock the door. This is something I thought of as soon as construction started, but it didn’t come in until yesterday. I’ve been antsy to show him all day.
My heart is hammering as we step inside the small office. I turn around and watch as Jasper looks around, confusion wrinkling his brow. His eyes land on the plaque mounted on the wall behind the check-in desk.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROBERT a reminder of his reality. “You did it,” he whispers. His tired eyes drift behind me, toward the party. “I knew you could.”
I couldn’t hold my tears back if I tried. My vision blurs, my face hot. I can hardly breathe with how tight my chest feels. “I’m surprised you came.”
“The only time you’ll catch me”—his voice fades before a cough comes—“on goddamn Smith land.”
I laugh through my tears, and so does Truett.
Beside me, Jasper swipes his fingers across his cheek.
I can’t believe he came. And it was his idea.
Dad looks around one more time, taking it all in.
I can tell how tired he is, how much coming here took out of him.
He doesn’t stay much longer, Truett eventually loading him in the cab of his truck before folding the wheelchair and placing it in the back.
“Thank you for bringing him,” I murmur before he climbs behind the wheel.
He smiles warmly and swallows. “Of course.” Then he starts the engine before saying, “I’ll be back once I get him settled.”
I watch the taillights disappear down the gravel road, and it takes a minute for me to compose myself before returning to the party.
Behind me, Jasper’s hand settles gently against my back, silently holding me up.
I don’t know how I know it, but that was probably the last time my father will ever leave his house.
I can feel it in my soul. This was his way of showing me he loves me one final time.
I’ll never forget it.