Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
SAbrINA
T he Rolling Thunder Ranch was like a breath of fresh air or a hug from a stranger that felt familiar and comfortable. Weirdly okay.
Cal’s family was a delight. Aside from his mother and his younger sister, Brynna, there was the housekeeper, Mrs. Claudia, and a seven-year-old named Rod who I thought might be her grandson. This kid was destined to be a cowboy, based on the way he hooked his thumbs over his waistband belt and spit every few minutes.
“Too much time with the ranch hands,” Mrs. Claudia scolded, but that didn’t stop him.
When Cal had told me he and his family no longer spoke, that had been sufficient for me. But it would seem in the last decade, something had shifted. Watching them, I witnessed a comfort between Cal and his mother and good-natured banter between him and his sister. Cal explained that Brynna, seven years her senior, was a glassblower and that one of the barns was actually her workshop. Brynna had to have been around sixteen when Cal and I were dating—a child.
How could he possibly have been cut off from her?
Brynna quickly gave me a tour of her amazing work. She was quiet, but her personality was reflected in the art she created—bold colors woven between softer ones. It wasn’t until I saw a vase that looked similar to one I had in my house that I put the pieces together. Brynna Beckett’s work was in some of the finest galleries. A few years back, I’d bought some pieces, not knowing she was Cal’s sister.
Overall, the vibe at the ranch was welcoming and warm. Moments like this were the hardest for me. Though I enjoyed them, I was acutely aware of what I didn’t have—a family. Living relatives. Loneliness crept into these lovely moments and pulled at me. They made me feel itchy, which then made me get restless and needy with wanting to act on my adoption plan. The adoption was something that simply could not be rushed, but boy I wish I could rush it. I was ready.
We spent the rest of the day getting settled, talking over our next move and, for me, getting caught up on sleep. The next morning, we were set to meet Cricket and Cori to put the plan in motion. Cricket was going to do an interview, and Cori was taking pictures, which was a huge relief because everyone knew the deal, and it wasn’t like we were lying to them too. And that had been my caveat. I didn’t want to straight-up lie to people. The beauty of social media was that you could put something out there, and let people add their own narratives, since they were going to do it anyway.
I ran outside to greet them when I heard Cricket’s pickup come down the long drive. No sooner had they parked than they were out of the vehicle, and we were all hugging each other’s necks. I’d known Cori since we were kids, my dad having done a short gambling stint in the small town where she’d grown up. That was where I had come to know Fort as well. And when he’d needed a pretend fiancée, and Cori had needed to escape said small town, where her daddy had left a wake of angry people, I’d put them together. Now they were happily married with two kids, one just six weeks old.
Cori looked tired but blissed out.
“I’m so happy to see you two,” I said. I really did have the best friends.
“We’re happy you’re here. We’ve been looking forward to your visit for a while,” Cori said, still hugging me.
“And the fact that you came even earlier and we get to help you guys out with this problem is even better,” Cricket said with her arm around both of us.
“It’s been forever since I’ve done something for myself that wasn’t kid related. I love them—don’t get me wrong—but it’s nice to have adult time,” Cori said as we pulled apart. She picked up her camera bag. I loved that Cricket had asked her to be our photographer.
“Who knew your past was just right down the road?” Cricket said with a wag of her brows.
“Not me,” I said. “But Jace knew.”
“He’s wicked good at keeping secrets,” Cricket said.
“No kidding. Come on. Let’s get some coffee and map this out.” I gestured to the house.
Inside, I poured us some coffee. Paul soon came into the room. Cricket got immediately down to business, happily volunteering to be our first single to test the app. She’d also been monitoring the news landscape for us.
“So far, nothing has changed,” Cricket said. “The interview you all did yesterday in Texas is still the topic, as is the Instagram Sabrina posted. Nick has been peppered with questions, but he’s handling it like the pro he is. I did find a blog making some broad accusations about your dad and possible tax issues. I’m not sure where that’s going or if it’ll get picked up, but I assume it will.”
“My dad?”
Paul chimed in. “Cal did say nothing would be off-limits. You have to be prepared for this, Sabrina.”
“I am. Well, I guess I’m getting there. But it’s really odd to see someone go after a person who is deceased.”
“I’ll show you what I write up before I publish so maybe we can try to anticipate any spin-off questions. Sound good?” Cricket asked.
Paul and I nodded.
“I’m also going to write about the app. Dating in a remote small town is not easy.”
“ ’Scuse me, ma’am.”
I turned to find little Rod standing in the doorway. “Hi,” I said.
“I was told to saddle up some horses but not which ones. I’m assuming the giant quarter horse, but which horse would you like? There’s a paint that’s not too sluggish and not too testy that I like. Want me to saddle her for you?”
Dear Lord, he was adorable. Cori fairly cooed next to me from his adorableness, this child-man.
“That works for me. I defer to you, Rod.”
He tipped his hat at me, and Cricket smothered a chuckle with a cough.
“Can I get some coffee to go, please, Mrs. Claudia?” he asked.
The housekeeper-cook had been busy with biscuits. She slapped a hand on the counter. “No, sir, you may not have some coffee. You are too young. But once you get that horse saddled, you come back, and I’ll give you a hot biscuit.”
“But all ranch hands drink coffee,” he protested.
She came around the counter and shooed him away with a tea towel. “I’ll put fresh strawberry jam on one side of that biscuit and that chocolate stuff you like on the other. Now, git.”
He started to leave but stopped. “You mean Nutella?” His eyes were wide with excitement.
“That’s it.” She waved her towel at him again.
“Deal.” He dashed out the door.
“Little stinker,” she said with a chuckle.
“What a cutie,” Cricket said. “He’s doing real well with you, Mrs. Claudia. He’s lucky to have you.”
She tsk-tsked but went back to her work.
Paul glanced at his watch. “We have to get this show on the road. Cal has a meeting this afternoon with some clients. You all go on out, and I’ll go find him.”
I feigned indignation. “Get this show on the road?” The show was the first fake date for Cal and me. “Is this how you approach dating, Paul?” I shook my head. “You make it sound so romantic. Thumbs-down. One star on this date. App fail.”
Paul laughed. “Just be glad I was the one that said it and not Cal.” He winked and left the room.
I headed out with my two friends. “So, care to share, Sabrina?” Cori asked.
“Nope, it’s old news.”
“How about some new news?” Cricket asked. “I mean, I knew what happened back then because you mentioned it briefly, but I’ll admit, now that I know who the other party is, it’s obvious you two are perfect for each other.”
“You’ve never met him,” I scoffed.
“Oh, I know, but I’ve read a lot, and those pictures of you two…” She pretended to fan herself.
“Agreed,” Cori chimed in. “That look he was giving you in that last picture, that’s the look Fort gave me that got me pregnant. You be careful.”
The hotel picture. That was what she was talking about. That same picture had told me there were still feelings.
I looked out across the lovely landscape. “Yeah, I’m not really worried about the getting-pregnant part.”
Cori stopped in her tracks. “Oh, Sabrina, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking. All I really meant was that’s usually when he sexes me up. It’s a hot look.”
Both Cori, Cricket, and Meredith knew I had severe endometriosis, which meant my chances of conceiving were slim to none because of the abnormal tissue growing outside my uterus. I’d spent a good chunk of my savings on various treatments and trying in vitro with a sperm donor. Nothing had happened except the dwindling bank account. Hence the need for more money. I couldn’t get on the adoption list until I had fifty K in the bank.
“It’s okay. You didn’t say anything wrong, I’m just supersensitive.” I gave her arm a squeeze.
“Rightly so,” Cricket said. “But Cori’s right. Be careful here. This guy hurt you once. Chances are it could happen again. And you deserve some happiness. You’ve had enough heartbreak.”
Cricket caught my eye, and I knew she was talking about herself just as much as she was talking about me. She’d fallen in love with her deceased sister’s husband, a man she emphatically stated was off-limits. Reason number one for trying Cal’s app—she was ready to find a love that was her own.
“Though he is superhot,” Cori said. “Too bad you can’t keep it casual, because otherwise, I say you just hit that, as the guys say, and have some fun.”
We both looked at her, shocked.
“Sorry, hormones,” she said sheepishly.
“You’re telling me to go wild, and Cricket is telling me to be careful. Angel and devil. But here’s the deal. Yeah, we have chemistry. But we’re different people with different lives, and I don’t think either of us fits into the other’s. This here”—I swept my hand to indicate all that was the ranch—“is pretend. It’s a job. And it will end.”
And yeah, Cal was hot. And I had thought about hitting that, as Cori had put it. And then I thought I should poke my eyes out so I wouldn’t have to see him anymore, and maybe those naughty thoughts would stop. But each time I had a steamy thought, I reminded myself of one simple fact: this would all be coming to an end.