Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
stetson
“Coffee.” Clay hands me my white cup that’s damn near stood the test of time, and I send him a blank stare.
“It’s almost dinner.”
“And?” he deadpans. “When has that ever stopped you before? You’re better off attached to an IV drip at the rate you consume caffeine.”
He’s not wrong, although dramatic.
“Just give me the damn coffee,” I grunt, turning off the hose spigot and patting Nellie on the rear.
She’s doing incredible. Baby was born a little later than expected but is doing well, clinging to her mama just like we hoped.
Granger, Creek, and Tuna have been handling the pasture care for the past few months, making the transition perfect for the two cows.
I couldn’t be happier.
Clay hands me my bitter lifeline, and we sit in silence for what feels like hours while Nellie and her young calf, named Millie by my niece, drink from the trough before sauntering off toward their herd.
I wipe the sweat off my brow before placing it on my hip, the heat scorching more than usual for this time of year. I need to make sure my cows stay hydrated and fed to avoid malnourishment in these temperatures.
“What gives, Stetson?” Clay breaks the silence.
“What do you mean? Just getting things in order around here before everyone arrives tomorrow morning.” I sip my coffee, knowing he won’t buy my attempt at avoidance.
Clay may be a pest at times, but he knows me well.
He nods toward the two wooden bench swings I hung between oak trees by the barn, insisting we sit. He follows me over, turning toward me like I owe him an explanation.
“Ready to try that again?”
I exhale. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Clay. I’m fine. Just got work on my mind.”
“You’re not fine, Stetson. You’ve barely spoken to anyone in nearly a week. You almost made Tuna piss himself yesterday, all over the salt blocks being too small.”
“Cows need salt, Clay. This isn’t rocket science. I have expectations and take pride in my cows. I’m not sure what the problem is.”
He shakes his head. “The problem isn’t in what you freaked about. It’s you freaking that’s the issue. It’s not like you, man. And as your friend, I’m just concerned.”
Back to my point. I can’t hide anything from Clay. He knows when I’m off, and he knows when I’m golden.
Right now, I just want to hear from her. That’s it.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
“I’ve got a lot of non-work stuff on my mind, too.” He knows I’m not a talker. Communicating is not my forte. Everyone knows this, so why do I need to remind him?
“Great,” he rushes, settling back in the swing like he’s got all damn day. “Let’s talk about it. You’ve got nearly fifty people preparing to show up on your ranch tomorrow, so I’d say now would be the time to work out this anger before you flip your lid on Aunt Virginia.”
I don’t even have an Aunt Virginia.
I cast him a sharp look, but he doesn’t retreat. “I haven’t heard from her.”
“I see,” he sighs. “The chick from Chicago?”
“Miami. But yes, I did see her in Chicago. And she’s not just some chick. Don’t call her that. She’s…different.”
“Hold up. The flight attendant?”
I nod slowly. “That’s the one.”
“Didn’t we meet her when the lot deal with Waylon was finalized?”
Another nod. “Yep.”
“You’ve been seeing her all this time?”
I haven’t exactly told Clay everything. I wasn’t sure there was anything to tell. Until Chicago. That sealed it for me.
“Off and on. We spent two days in Chicago together a couple weeks ago. Haven’t heard from her since.”
“You do realize these are things you should tell me, right? What if the media caught wind of you seeing someone, Stetson? The interview with Forbes was just published yesterday, and you’re in the spotlight now more than ever.
We need to be on the same page moving forward.
Damage control is the last thing you need before this week.
Press will be everywhere if we don’t keep your private life private. ”
“I get it, Clay. I just wanted her to myself for a while. I didn’t want to share her. Also, not sure if there was even an us, and didn’t want to risk exploiting her.”
“That’s exactly what you did in Chicago, Stetson. Parading Cove around town put eyes on her, even if it was in another state. You’re world news now. For a smart man, you really are stupid at times.”
“Trust me, we hardly stepped foot outside.” I smirk, unable to help myself. Those forty-eight hours together run through my mind on replay, tempting me once again to chase after her.
However, Clay is as single as it gets, and I enjoy reminding him all about it when he harps on my lack of a love life.
“Okay, playboy baddie. Tone it down, would you?” He rolls his eyes.
I freeze. “Don’t ever call me that again.”
“I’m just saying,” he shakes his head. “Communicate with me.”
There’s no point in arguing with him. Clay knows I hate the media. I want nothing to do with publicity and having a shining moment on the headlines. And something tells me Cove would hate it just as much.
But I can’t wrap my head around why I haven’t heard from her.
I texted her, but made it a point to wait to call her until she landed in Paris for her next work trip, not wanting to seem too desperate. Although I am.
The call went straight to voicemail. And as much as I fucking hate texting, I sent her another one just to be safe. No response.
And yesterday was my last shot. It was nearly midnight, and after working outside all day running rotations, I just wanted to take a hot shower, lie in bed, and talk to someone.
Cove being the first on my mind.
The ringing did that thing where it halts for a moment, making it seem like someone answered, but it’s really just a lag in the connection. Her voicemail filled my ears, and instead of leaving a message, I listened to every last word before hanging up.
I won’t make someone want me. I can’t put myself through that.
I’ve got too much to lose and can’t risk a broken heart. She told me it wasn’t the last time we’d be together. I knew after her comment about it being just for that night that something was off.
I felt it in my gut but ignored it anyway.
Falling for Cove, only to lose her in the end, would break me. This ranch needs me. My team needs me. This is my livelihood, and if it’s not enough, if I’m not enough, then so be it.
“So, you haven’t heard from her?” Clay asks, bringing our conversation back to the reason for all my frustration.
“No. Unfortunately, I haven’t.”
“Listen, I’m the last person who should be offering you romance advice, but…it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you care about someone like this. As much as your interest in her serves me no favors, it must mean something.”
I stare into what feels like numb oblivion. The breeze rushes past us under the shade of the oak trees, and I can see Nellie in the field, nursing little Millie. Witnessing things that feel so normal and everyday to me makes me wonder how they’d feel shared with someone else. Someone I cared about.
I really thought we had a shot. Something special and rare.
And god, I wanted to know more about the woman behind the tough exterior. It was mesmerizing watching her composure break in Chicago.
If only she’d call me so we can talk about it. I sound like a fucking kid.
But Clay is right. Wanting someone like this is unusual for me.
However, tomorrow I have all my family and close friends arriving to stay at the Ranch for the week to celebrate my birthday. Entertaining sounds like a chore, making me question why I didn’t hire staff for it.
“Because I never spend my money on anything,” I can hear my sister’s voice in my head now. Although I should probably check my bank statement at some point, seeing as how I gave her my black card, telling her to do her worst.
Knowing Abbi, she might actually do that.
Too bad money can’t bring Cove here.
“It is what it is.” I shrug. “Right now, I need to worry about making sure Abbi hasn’t done something insane like…
I don’t know, bought a mechanical bull or something.
She had cleaners here this morning, making sure everything was ready to go.
I’ve never seen a handful of women get shit done so fast.”
“Money talks, my man. I keep tellin’ you that.”
I shove Clay’s shoulder, joking with him. “Let’s go check on the hands. I guess I’ve got an apology to make.”
Clay pats me on the back. “And that right there is what makes you a decent guy, Stetson Cole. It’s her loss.”
“Not a word to my sister about her, either. I’ll lay you out flat if you pull that shit, Clay.”
He chuckles, meeting me step for step as we walk toward the feeder where Granger and Tuna are prepping meals for the highland cattle.
“You got it, boss. Whatever you say.”