4. Sarah
Revelations and Confessions
The morning sun sneaks in through the blinds of my office window at Beartooth Ranch, throwing light streaks across my messy desk while I review inventory lists.
The ranch runs smoothly under Jake’s name, but not everyone knows about the quiet force behind it all—me, Sarah Marlene Tarleton, his kid sister.
In the peace of my little sanctuary, I’m just Sarah Marlene, this big ranch”s therapist and silent partner.
Living this double life, a life that brings me immense fulfillment comes naturally to me.
Using my middle name keeps me under the radar, away from the heavy expectations tied to the Tarleton name and allows me to find my path.
”I think the inventory looks good.”
I say, scrolling down the digital spreadsheet. The quiet of my office is my haven, so different from the public life my brother leads.
Jake’s always been the golden boy, his charm and wild horseback stunts putting him in the spotlight—a place he fits right into.
On the other hand, I have always loved staying in the background, enjoying the silence, far from the constant gossip and stares.
Just a few months back, Jake burst into my therapy office with excitement and doubt in his eyes.
”Sarah, I need you.”
He began, and by the end of our talk, I had made a profound decision.
I had agreed to co-own Beartooth Ranch with him, a testament to my unwavering support and love for my brother.
It was a big decision, but it showed my solid support for him and was a way to stay connected to our roots while keeping my life private.
Thinking back, I can”t help but be filled with joy.
Jake has built a beautiful life with Mia and their kids, transitioning from a wild cowboy to a loving dad and husband in a way that’s better than any story.
His new role doesn’t just fit him; it makes him shine, and knowing I play even a tiny role in this chapter of his life fills me with deep, abiding happiness.
My phone vibrates, snapping me out of my thoughts. It’s a text from Jake.
“Check the new foal in the north pasture. You’ll love her!”
These little moments, these slices of everyday life, keep me grounded, reminding me that no matter how big the Tarleton name gets, we”re just a family at the end of the day.
I shove my phone into my pocket and stand up, stretching out the stiffness from sitting too long.
It”s time to leave my office and head out to the wide-open spaces of the ranch, a constant reminder of where I belong and who I am deep down.
I make my way to the north pasture and reach the fence, spotting the herd in the distance.
They move as one, graceful and free, until a smaller shape breaks off, capturing my attention.
It”s the new foal, tottering on unsteady legs, its coat shimmering like polished mahogany under the rising sun.
My heart swells at the sight, every worry and stress melting away in the presence of such pure innocence.
”Hey there, little one.”
I whisper, climbing over the fence and making my way over slowly, not wanting to startle her.
Her big, brown eyes watch me as I approach, curious and cautious.
”Isn”t she the most beautiful thing you”ve ever seen?”
Jake”s voice suddenly comes from behind me, making me jump slightly. I didn”t hear him approach, but I should”ve known he wouldn”t miss this.
I smile, watching the foal nuzzle her mother before looking back at us.
”She”s perfect, Jake. Have you named her yet?”
He leans on the fence, his eyes never leaving the foal.
”Mia wants to name her Luna after her grandmother.”
”Luna.”
I echo, the name fitting the foal as perfectly as a glove.
”It suits her.”
We fall into a comfortable silence, watching Luna prance around her mother, embodying the new life and beginnings that define Beartooth Ranch.
Standing beside my brother and watching a new day dawn over the land we love, moments like these remind me how deeply rooted we are in this place.
”Sarah.”
Jake says, his voice pulling me from my thoughts.
”Thanks for being here. For everything. This ranch, my family, wouldn”t be the same without you.”
I turn to look at him, struck by the sincerity in his voice.
”It”s my home too, Jake. There”s nowhere else I”d rather be.”
”I”m just so glad you moved back earlier this year. I know our childhood was a bit complicated, with you being raised with Grandma Jean and Grandpa Boris in Aleridge.”
I sigh softly since I already know where he”s going with this. I don”t understand why he feels he needs to apologize to me when it”s not his fault.
Our parents planned him while I was quite a surprise pregnancy.
Our parents weren’t financially well off enough to have two children then, so my mother sent me out of town to live with my maternal grandparents a few months after I was born.
Few knew that Jake had a sister since he was raised here, whereas I had not been.
Sure, we saw each other often, especially during holidays, but we weren”t raised together like we would have preferred.
That”s why I hadn”t met Mia when Jake had dated her in high school.
He rekindled his romance with her last year when she moved back to Pine Creek with her daughter, Emily.
That was out of respect for me, and he wanted to ensure I was comfortable meeting her.
I moved to Pine Creek earlier this year because I wanted to be close to my nephew and now-nieces.
But I had done so with the promise that Jake would not let people know we are siblings, because I love having my own life and identity.
”Don”t you dare apologize.”
I stop him before he can even try. He chuckles in amusement and with a shake of his head.
”I’d be surprised if you agree to come to dinner again one of these nights. You”ve been working so much at your office and here at the ranch that we barely see you.”
”That”s because I”m a workaholic, big brother.”
I grin at him and playfully nudge his arm.
”Big brother??”
My entire body freezes at the sound of a third voice coming from behind us.
I turn around to see a wide-eyed Tyler staring at me. Jake also looks at him in surprise.
”I... I was looking for you because Dr. Carmine had a question to ask you about Terry, the new cowboy.”
Tyler addresses Jake while continuing to stare at me.
”Go ahead, Jake. We”ll finish up later.”
I tell him this before he can try to come up with some lie to throw Tyler off from just hearing me refer to him as my older brother.
After Jake leaves, Tyler and I are left standing in silence.
I avoid his gaze, staring at a piece of hay on my boot instead. The foals nearby are making soft noises, unaware of our awkward silence.
Finally, I can”t take the silence anymore and try to explain.
”I don”t know what you think you heard—”
Tyler cuts me off.
”I heard enough.”
He says firmly.
”I heard you call Jake your ”big brother.” We often call each other family in small towns, but it sounded different coming from you.”
I try to argue, to make up some excuse, but Tyler laughs, and I stop.
”No, I”m not convinced.”
He says, smiling slightly.
”You meant it, and you and Jake look alike.”
His correct guess makes me uncomfortable. I sigh, accepting the truth I”ve kept secret.
”Yes, it”s true.”
I say, looking at him.
”Jake is my brother. But please, keep it between us. No one else knows, and I”d prefer it stays that way.”
Tyler”s face turns to understanding, his earlier amusement gone.
”Your secret”s safe with me.”
He promises, but his curious look tells me he”s still interested in the story. But I don”t know if I should open up about my story.
I am still his therapist, and I believe it would be weird if he knew more about my personal life when I knew nothing about him.
Especially since he refuses to open up in therapy.
He notices my silence when I refuse to elaborate on how Jake is my brother and why it”s supposed to be such a big secret.
”Since I know your secret... I”ll tell you mine.”
He offers, as I raise an eyebrow. The only thing personal I know about him is the fact that he kissed me last night.
That sends both shivers and tingles throughout my body as I try to convince my mind that I hadn”t enjoyed his lips on mine that much.
”I”m a father.”
He pauses, and then uncertainty crosses his face. It”s almost as if he instantly regrets letting that out.
”A father? ”
I mimic in surprise, as I study his face to see if he”s pulling my leg. But he looks dead serious.
“Y-yes. To a six-year-old. Tim… well, we call him Timmy. The reason for my bad mood yesterday is that… well… I fell due to my knee going out. And it happened in front of him. It made me feel weak and embarrassed, setting me in a foul mood.”
Wow… I’m getting a confession and more out of him than I’ve gotten out of all of our therapy sessions combined.
He lets out a deep exhale afterward, like saying that out loud makes him feel free somehow.
I know the feeling because even with my apprehension, I think the same way about him knowing my true identity.
And weirdly, I feel glad that he knows.
That kiss is clouding your mind. He’s your client, not a friend.
“Is that why you hold back so much during therapy? Does having such a big secret make it easy for you not to open up so that it doesn’t accidentally slip out?”
“That and I do have negative thoughts about me being in therapy. But I think it’s due to my insecurities and shortcomings due to my injury.”
“And that’s why therapy is so important, so you don’t keep it bottled in.”
“I might have accidentally let it slip out if you would have let me buy you that drink last night.”
He jokes as I blush at the teasing tone in his voice.
“A therapist having a drink with a client wouldn’t have been such a great look.”
“Dr. Marlene, we live in a small town, not a big city. Those kinds of rules are more for the city. Small towns are less populated, and everyone is supposed to know everyone. I know that Dr. Gibson is married to Mary Beth Gibson, and I heard that years ago, she was his patient when she had pneumonia.”
I can’t argue with that because he’s right. It can be perceived differently in small towns than in big cities.
But it also seemed weird for the client, who never wanted to open up to me in therapy, to invite me to have a drink with them.
“You are right.”
“Okay, so can we have a drink one of these days? Or at least lunch?”
“I’m surprised that you’d want that. You act as if you cannot stand me.”
I find myself joking now, as he chuckles with a nod.
“I admit, I am still trying to decide about you. Maybe my not wanting to do therapy is making me see you more negatively. So, allow me to get to know you better, Dr. Marlene.”
“Okay, fine. We can have dinner tomorrow night. How does that sound?”
He doesn’t answer as he pulls out his phone and types something.
Seconds later, my cell phone vibrates in my back pocket as I pull it out to see that he’s texted me a smiley face.
“I know you gave me your cell phone number when we first met so I could call you whenever I had an emergency after hours. And I know I never used your number…. So here is mine in case you never put mine in your phone. I’d love to have dinner with you tomorrow.”
I feel slight butterflies in my stomach as I smile at him.
“Then it’s all set then. You give me a place and time. And please… call me Sarah.”