Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Della
I didn’t think I’d ever see him again.
I didn’t want to see him.
I haven’t. Not since I turned eighteen years old.
Sure, he’d been at the funeral, but not close up. Not anywhere near me. I made sure of it.
The last time I saw Tyler King, Amelia’s cousin, was right before I graduated high school.
He humiliated me in the worst way possible, and I suppose he doesn’t remember.
I mean, who would besides me? I was forgettable back then.
No one would remember the plain Jane who was too smart for her own good.
God, I’d been an idiot back then. I knew better, and yet I still allowed it to happen, and he’d forgotten.
Seeing him again is the last thing I thought I would do tonight. He looked good. So good. Amazing. He filled out so much. With his head shaved and sporting a beard, Tyler all but screamed rough around the edges.
My body reacted immediately to the sound of his voice, as it had all those years ago.
I used to have the hugest crush on him. I honestly thought myself in love with him.
Just as the thought pops in my head, I shake it off.
I’d come to the bar tonight to get away from the house and the tension filling it.
Maddox and I had different opinions about everything.
Honestly, he’s pissed about the Will and how Cornbread Granddaddy left the ranch to both of us and not just him.
I haven’t told him that I quit my job. No matter how sporadic I did it. I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I left behind my empty apartment to come back here, and I don’t intend on going back. There’s nothing for me there. This land, though, fills my heart in ways I haven’t felt in years.
After the reading of Granddaddy’s Will and everyone had left the house, Maddox and I got into it. It’d been bad, the most god-awful argument the two of us have ever had. Well, it probably could have been worse, only it hasn’t escalated any further than it already has.
There’s so much my big brother doesn’t know about me. About what I’ve been doing. There is obviously a lot I don’t know about him. We’re strangers to one another, and maybe that’s my fault.
Then again, he always seemed to be so focused on everything else that he never actually got to know me over the years. Even to him, I’d become invisible. Not worth spending time with.
The thought hurts, but it is what it is. I’m not invisible anymore. I’m not an ugly duckling. I’m not a plain Jane. I’m me. Della Meadows. A strong, independent woman. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. It’s who I want to be.
I need to figure out what it is I want to do with my life now that I’ve left my stuck-in-the-mud life to come home.
I should tell Maddox this. Maybe then he’ll understand why I don’t want to sell him my half of the ranch.
In Granddaddy’s Will, he left the ranch to both of us, shocking me when I’d been for sure he’d have left it solely to Maddox. Fifty-fifty. I have just as much say when it comes to the land as Maddox, and I think that might be what really ticks him off the most.
The ranch has a lot of potential, not just with cattle. However, getting Maddox to listen to me will not be easy.
Shaking the thoughts away, I turn onto the lane leading to the house without wrecking or hitting anything on the way. This time of night, deer are always out. Growing up, I’d seen my share of them and even black bears darting across the road.
I let out a sigh as I drive, my mind consumed with thoughts of everything that’s been happening. It doesn’t help seeing Tyler again.
I want to shake the thoughts completely away, but they keep wanting to swim to the surface all over again.
The main house comes into view, and I let out a heavy breath, seeing the lights are still on. Great, it’s nearly two in the morning, and someone has to be awake. Typically, my brother is asleep way before now.
I hope he’s asleep and that it’s Judy or that maybe Maddox left the light on by accident. I highly doubt that’s the case, though. We were taught a long time ago to turn off the lights when leaving a room, and we learned if you didn’t, you got your ass popped for it.
“No reason to waste electricity when no one is in the room. You don’t pay the bills around here, so turn the damn lights off. I’m not made out of money.” Cornbread Granddaddy used to say that any time he had to fuss at one of us for not listening.
With another heavy sigh, I park, turn the car off, and get out, making sure not to slam the car door shut. The last thing I want is to wake Maddox if he’s indeed asleep.
I keep quiet, walk up the porch steps, and get into the house. The door makes a slight squeak, but not loud enough to wake anyone. It simply needs to be oiled to keep it from doing it, but that’s just something that happens in all houses. Hardware needs to be oiled, repaired, or replaced over time.
Once inside and the house is locked up, I slip off my booted heels and tiptoe toward the stairs. The last thing I want is the heels of my boots making a racket against the wooden stairs. It’s bad enough with the creaking the old wood makes.
“Della.”
I close my eyes at the sound of Maddox’s voice coming from the frame of the kitchen door. So, it was him up and waiting.
Great.
“I’m going upstairs to bed,” I call out quietly and keep moving.
There’s no way in hell I want to deal with Maddox right now.
Not after the fight we had. Not after seeing Tyler King again.
Not after . . . not after any of what’s happened in the last few days since the funeral. I need a break from it all.
“We need to talk, Della.” This time closer.
As much as it pains me, I ignore my brother and continue up the stairs until I get to the top of the landing, then cross a few feet to my room. There’s no way I can talk to him right now. I need to think.
Once behind the safety of my door, I lean against it, with my eyes closed, head pressing into the solid oak, holding me up.
After a moment to gather myself, I cross the room and throw myself onto the bed face-first. I should probably take the time to wash my face and moisturize, but I’m not. Nor do I care that I’m still dressed.
It takes a little while for me to fall asleep, and when I do, I don’t sleep for long. My mind refuses to shut off completely. I’m too restless.
Giving up on sleeping, the longer I lie here, it’ll only frustrate me more than it already is.
I get up, change into a pair of faded jeans, throw on some boot socks, and tug on a hoodie.
I tiptoe to the bathroom across the hall, wash my face of makeup, use my moisturizer, put my hair in a messy bun, and brush my teeth.
Once done with my business, I’m ready and head for the stairs, not knowing if Maddox is up and about yet. From the sounds of the house, I doubt it. Regardless of whether he was, it didn’t matter. I wasn’t sticking around. I know exactly what I’m going to do.
The sun isn’t up yet. We had about an hour and a half before it would peak over the horizon. This was perfect for me.
At the back door, I slip on a pair of my cowboy boots and step out the door, not worrying about coffee or anything else. I wanted out of the house. I needed to feel like I could breathe.
Staring across the yard, my eyes locked on where I’m heading, I walk the distance to the barn, and jerk ever so slightly when I step inside to find Tyler Henderson already there.
I knew Tyler growing up. He’s one of Maddox’s best friends.
I always thought he was cute, but nothing like the other Tyler.
The one I had a massive crush on for so long.
I used to think it was funny when they’d both be around.
I’d joke and call them Tyler One and Tyler Two, like Thing One and Thing Two.
I always knew the difference between the two of them, though mostly because you couldn’t miss the hard distinction.
Even now, they were total opposites, though where Tyler Henderson had always been cute, there’s no missing the change in him. He’s hot. Well, both men are hot, but only the other Tyler was able to make my heart ache while my stomach fluttered with millions of butterflies.
“What are you doing out here so early?” he asks, his head coming up when he sees me step through the open barn doors.
“‘Gonna saddle up Rex and take him out,” I answer, heading for my horse’s stall.
“I’ll get your saddle and prep him for you.”
“I can do it myself.”
I didn’t need Tyler or anyone else to saddle my horse for me. I might have been gone for a while, but I knew how to handle myself. I can surely take care of saddling up Rex. It’s not something you forget how to do. Not in a million years.
“You sure? It’s been a while since you’ve ridden.”
Without looking in his direction, I answer, “Just because I haven’t done it lately, doesn’t mean I don’t remember how. I grew up here, if you recall. I know what I’m doing.”
“All right, well, if you need help, I’m here.” Tyler grunts and goes back to mucking the stall of one of the other horses.
“Appreciate it,” I tell him and open Rex’s stall. “Hey, boy. You wanna go for a ride this morning?”
Rex neighs, stomps a hoof, and nods, making me smile.
“Then let’s get you ready,” I tell him, clipping a lead to his harness.
Rex follows me out of his stall and stands perfectly still while I get him all saddled up.
Tyler comes up and pats Rex’s hindquarters, holding a two-way radio out for me. “You’ll need this if you go too far out. Some areas, service is more than a bit spotty. This will be good if you have any trouble.”
“Thanks.” I nod, take the radio, and put it in a saddlebag. I wasn’t going to need it, but it was good to have just in case. Out riding, you can never be too safe.
“Maddox know you’re going out?” Tyler asks, watching me closely.
I scoff and shake my head. “I’m a big girl. I don’t need to report to my brother, he’s not my keeper.”
“Right.” Tyler smirks and shakes his head. “Well, be careful. Check in every so often.”
I want to roll my eyes, but I don’t. I don’t need to check in, though I will since he’s asking without actually asking.
Leading Rex out of the barn, I stop us right outside, put a foot in the stirrup, grab the horn, and pull myself up, swinging a leg up and over the saddle.
Once my ass is in the seat, I adjust myself and grab the reins.
I use my heel to nudge Rex forward gently.
“Come on, boy. Let’s get out of here for a while. ”
Rex grunts and starts walking. We do this for a while, making our way to the back pasture. The moment we clear the pasture, I give Rex the cue he needs to start in trot. Then a full-on gallop. I sigh as a peace I haven’t felt in so long flows over me. This right here is exactly what I need.
We reach my favorite spot on the whole ranch, and I smile as the sun starts to peek over the horizon. It’s a beautiful sight. The colors brightening the sky simply take my breath away. No picture could give it justice.
“I just love being here. I’ve missed it so much.” I pet Rex’s coat, enjoying the silkiness of it under my touch. “I wish everything were different and that I didn’t feel like an outcast here.”
I stay planted on my horse’s back for a while longer before hopping off, grabbing my phone from the saddle bag, and snapping some pictures. I’m not going to share them with anyone other than myself. I might even get a few printed for my room.
Keeping a hand on Rex’s reins, I guide him away from the lookout and walk through the fields, my mind consumed with so many thoughts I couldn’t entirely think straight.
The sun continues to rise, the air growing warmer, but not completely. It’s still early in the year, though not early enough to be cold. I knew the weather for today would be cool, but by midday, it’ll be in the high sixties, maybe even rise above seventy.
Today would end up being around seventy, I’m sure of it. Just because the weather reports one thing doesn’t make it exact.
Not paying attention to where exactly I’m walking, I don’t see nor did I hear it.
I didn’t pay heed to Rex’s motions, his urgency, not until it was too late, the diamondback rattlesnake strikes, getting me just above my boot.
I let go of Rex’s reins, and he runs, but he doesn’t entirely desert me.
Just enough to get away from the god-awful snake.
I scream and jump back, my heart racing. The snake strikes again, getting me a second time before slithering away as I cry out from the pain.
Not good. Not good at all.
I’m such an idiot.
“Rex,” I whistle and call out to my horse while limping toward where he’s now grazing. “I need to get back to the house.”
When I make it to Rex, I pull the radio out Tyler gave me, and pray like hell my brother doesn’t answer. With a push of the button, I raise the radio to my quivering lips. “Tyler,” I croak out and try again. “Tyler, you there?”
“Yeah?” The one word came over the radio, no sooner than I called for him. “Everything good?”
“Ugh. Not really.” I lick my lips, trying my best to think past the pain in my leg. I don’t want to tell him or anyone else, but this is something I can’t be stupid with. “I’m gonna need medical assistance.”
“The fuck happened?” Tyler shouts.
“I’m also gonna need a ride back, but a rattle got me.”
“Fuck. Tell me you didn’t go past the lookout.”
“Yeah, why?” What’s wrong with past the lookout?
“Shit. Your brother is on the way to you. Hold tight.”
That’s the last thing I want. He’ll be sure to yell at me, and I don’t need that right now.
Ignoring the order, I shove the radio back in, grab the extra lead in the bag, and use it to make a tourniquet just above my kneecap before I make the herculean effort to jump up on the back of Rex’s back, crying as the pain becomes excruciating.
I know better than to not be on the lookout for snakes.
I know to watch and listen to my horse’s cues.
“Come on, boy, take me home,” I tell Rex, urging him in the direction of the house.
We make it a quarter of the way by the time Maddox gets to me.
Sweat beads my skin, and I swear I’m hallucinating when I see the sight of Tyler King with my brother.
What is he doing here?
“Swear to Christ, Della,” Maddox shouts, but he’s not the one who gets to me as I nearly fall off Rex’s back. “Shadow, get her in the Polaris. I’ll take Rex back to the barn.”
Shadow?
“I’ve got her. Ambulance should be there by the time we get back,” the man holding me says, setting me in the seat next to him. “Hold on, Della. Sweetheart, this is gonna be bumpy.”