Chapter 28
LUCY
“Ihave a surprise for you,” Colton says. We’re sitting on the couch later that night watching TV, and I look over at him in surprise.
“For me?” I ask, looking around the room. “What is it?”
“Well, if I tell you it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it?” he teases, and I roll my eyes.
“Okay, then why’d you tell me?” I laugh.
“Because I’m too excited to give it to you to wait any longer. Hold on, I’ll be right back.”
He stands, walking to his bedroom and coming back with a large laundry basket.
“Uhh, you washed my clothes for me?” I guess, trying to figure out what’s going on.
“Nope,” he says simply, setting the basket down in front of me.
My mouth drops open as I stare at the contents, feeling tears spring to my eyes. Inside, there’s a new sketchbook, pastels, markers, paints, and colored pencils, along with a couple of drawing books and an iPad.
“Colton, what the hell is this?” I yell, sinking down on the floor to look at everything in front of me.
“I’ve seen how much you enjoy painting and drawing, so I went to the art store in Smith’s Valley and asked the salesperson to help me make you a starter kit.
I also found you some online art classes, and the iPad is loaded with some drawing apps as well,” he says, looking a little nervous.
“I’ve seen those sketches you do on every piece of scratch paper you can find.
That pumpkin you painted. The drawings you did for the hay bale maze.
You’re incredibly talented. I’ve watched you these last few months, and I know you’d never take the time for yourself to really pursue this.
I just wanted to do something to show you I believe you should. ”
Tears continue to fill my eyes as he talks, and Colton looks at me hesitantly.
“So, do you hate it? Was it too much? I’m sorry, I just wanted to do something for you.”
“This is the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me,” I cry, leaning up to kiss him. “But it’s too much. I can’t accept all of this.”
“Sure, you can,” he says, shrugging his shoulders. “Just promise me you’ll use it. Take it from me, you shouldn’t wait to start chasing your dreams because you never know when it can all come crashing down.”
I pause, realizing the truth in his words. “You’re right. I know we haven’t talked much about the accident, but you know I’m always here to listen.”
“Yeah,” Colton says. “I think I’ve finally come to terms with everything that happened.
When you ride bulls, you know that there aren’t guarantees about the future.
All it takes is one bad ride to end a career.
And I don’t know how many times I watched guys come and go over the last fifteen years.
But I never really thought about what happened once they were done.
I spent so many years completely focused on riding.
Every decision I made was with the goal to win another buckle.
And it was gone in under eight seconds.”
I reach out my hand and thread my fingers through his as he continues, “If I’m honest, I knew my years of riding were coming to an end. I just hate that I didn't get to end it on my terms.”
“There’s nothing wrong with feeling that way,” I tell him.
“Yeah, you’re right. Anyway, while I was in the hospital, I thought I had accepted everything.
Sam kept asking if I was okay, and I thought I was.
But I wasn’t prepared for what came after I got out.
I’ve never felt so lost in my life. No one prepared me for how it feels when there’s nothing left to work for. ”
I nod before asking, “Do you still feel that way?”
“Nah, I don’t. But that’s where The Last Lasso came in. The thought of taking in animals who were in the same boat as I was just really brought me some peace. I know it probably sounds silly, but—”
“It’s not silly at all,” I interrupt him. “Colton, you went through something really traumatic. There’s no handbook for how to handle that. And I think it’s really special. Do you have plans for more animals?”
“Yeah, I do. Now that I’m finishing up with the house, I’m gonna start working on the barn so that I can take in some horses.
Eventually, I’d like to be able to expand into injured animals too and keep a vet on staff full time.
I just want it to be a place for anyone who needs a fresh start, the same way I did. ”
I smile, leaning up to kiss his cheek. “I think that’s beautiful. What made you decide on Mills Corner, though?”
“Well, Hayes mentioned that the farm next door to his house was for sale. At first, it started out as a joke, but once I looked into it, it just felt right.”
“Did you even see pictures or anything?” I ask, and Colton shakes his head.
“Nope. Just sold off the camper I was living in and drove down. But, I’d say it worked out okay,” he says, dropping a kiss to my lips. “It’s not how I saw my life going, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
God, this man. I think. “Are you sure you’re ready to go back next week? I know you told my brother we would come, but we really don’t have to.”
“No, I promise I’m good. I want to go, as long as you’ll be by my side,” he promises me. “I think it’s time.”
“Okay. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some art supplies to go through.” I tease, leaning down and grabbing the sketchbook and the colored pencils.
“I like the sound of that,” Colton laughs, watching me as I open the book.
I start sketching the view from the meadow the other morning, getting lost in my own world as I draw. Colton wraps his arm around me, turning his attention back to the TV.
“Oh, and Cowboy?” I say, looking up from my sketchbook. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be, either.”