Chapter 14 #2
Her words sit like a rock in my gut. “So, what do you do on the ranch?” I avert the conversation.
“I’m a cowgirl, just like you. I work with Hudson a lot, and sometimes Ryker.”
“I don’t think I’ve met Hudson.”
She points to a blonde cowboy sitting across the room. I recognize him from the day the cows decided to go swimming in the river. He was riding with Kit. “Oh, yeah. I’ve seen him before.”
“Have you met the other cowgirls?” Candace gestures to a table full of three other girls gathered around with bright smiles. Sierra, Kinley, and the blonde girl who was eyeing off Kit this morning, named Leah.
“Briefly.”
“You should join us,” Candace smiles. “There’s always so much testosterone on this ranch, but our table is cool.”
Candace seems like a nice girl, and a part of me really wants to. To make new friends… but Leah’s eyes are still on Kit. And it looks as if the other girls are gossiping about him, pointing and smiling in his direction.
Which is not what I need today.
“That’s sweet, Candace. I truly appreciate the offer, but I already promised to sit with Blake.” I gesture to him, finding him sitting at the corner table.
With Kit.
Well, fuck me.
“Oh, okay,” she responds, but she seems disappointed. “Well, come join us if you change your mind.”
With a deep exhale, I make my way to the table, setting down three beer cans. One for Blake, one for me, and a peace offering for Kit. Blake thanks me, but Kit just stares at the can like I poisoned it.
Which, sadly, I did not.
“It’s just beer, Cowboy. I promise,” I assure him, but he’s still frozen. “You still like Budweiser, don’t you?” From our one night at the bar, I still remember his order. Did he suddenly decide he hates that, too?
“I do,” he murmurs, and his eyes finally meet mine.
A smile tugs in the corner of my mouth, trying to make peace between us.
Seems like a great holiday to try. To try and accept his apology for being a complete ass to me in front of his family.
Besides, he finally admitted he doesn’t want me to leave.
Words I needed to hear him say, but I’m not sure if he meant it.
He swiftly stands and walks away, leaving the beer can behind.
Seriously? My nostrils flare as I crack open my can, taking a generous sip.
“I think he’s just stressed about being the Ranch Manager,” Blake defends, noticing my anger.
Yeah, that and he can’t stand the sight of me.
You exist, Sadie. And that’s enough.
His cold words echo in my mind.
“It doesn’t matter,” I slam the can on the wooden table. “We’ll have much more fun without him.” It does matter to me, but I’ll keep pretending like it doesn’t. It hurts too much to think about, and I don’t want to spend one more Thanksgiving crying.
Blake’s gaze drifts along my face before holding up his beer can in cheers. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
I bring my can to his with a bright smile on my face, repeating the same back to him as Ryker, Hudson, and Wes, who is another Foreman on the ranch, sit with us.
Wes is the oldest out of them all, probably mid-forties, with strands of grey peppered into his facial hair.
He has the kind of charm you’d expect in an older cowboy.
“Hey, have you seen Kit?” Ryker asks Blake.
“He just left,” I say coldly, before Blake can respond.
“Damnit,” Ryker mutters. “He’s supposed to make a speech.”
A what?
Cole’s raspy voice sounds through a microphone, wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
Delivering a beautiful speech about how much he loves and appreciates everyone on the ranch.
How he considers all of us his family. Tears build in my eyes.
“And now I’d like to welcome Kit up here to say a few words. ”
“Fuck,” Ryker murmurs, nervously glancing around the room. “Where did you last see him?”
“He saw me and left.”
Ryker chuckles, a low, mischievous chuckle, before he smiles at me.
“Do you want me to go look for him?” Hudson offers.
Cole calls out his name once more.
Before I can ask Ryker why he thinks that’s funny—because it’s fucking not—I spot him, walking breezily through the crowd.
Ryker exhales, cursing under his breath in relief as Kit takes the microphone from Cole, turning towards the room.
I’d glare at him, except his face is full of raw emotion. Something I didn’t expect.
“Because I know how much the family gossips,” Kit rolls his eyes, letting out a deep sigh. “I’m sure you all have heard by now that I’ve been promoted to Ranch Manager.” Whistles and hollers fill the room. Ryker is one of the loudest.
“I’m not sure what Cole sees in me,” he continues. “But it’s an incredible honor to be here, and to have the chance to work alongside all of you.”
Except for me. The only person in the room who makes him run away. My chest feels heavy at the thought.
“Today is about friendship and family, and of course, good food.” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.
“And to Cole, this place exists because of you and your dedication. I know that I speak for all of us when I say how thankful we are to have you.” He pauses, and I swear that Kit’s about to cry as redness forms in his eyes.
“I can’t imagine the ranch without you standing by my side.
You’re the heart and soul of this place, and I’m honored to be in your presence every single day. ”
Loud claps fill the space, echoing through the room as Cole soaks in his words with glassy eyes, wiping a tear from his cheek. After Cole calls out for everyone to dig in, I watch as Kit makes his way out of the room, sparing me a glance as he goes.
He looks at me as if he needs to, soaking up the moment for a fraction of a second before he disappears.
For the rest of the night, I drown out my confusion with beer and good company.
Enjoying Blake’s presence, Ryker’s humor, Wes’s stories, and Hudson’s silent gaze.
Hudson doesn’t say a word, and yet I feel like he can read me.
Like he’s aware that I keep watching the doorway, waiting for someone to reappear.
But not once does he come back.