He turns to me. "Thanks for the walk."
"Thanks for catching me."
His eyes linger. "Always."
We linger in the parking lot, neither of us quite ready to leave. He walks me to my car, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his coffee cup like it's suddenly the only thing keeping him grounded. He pulls his hand from his pocket and reaches for the handle of his truck door, opens it, then pauses.
"I don't say things easily," he says, voice low. "But I meant it earlier. I like talking to you. Not just as Bear. Not just as Asher. Just... you and me."
I nod, heart in my throat. "I know."
He starts to say something else, then shakes his head with a small smile. "Guess that's all I've got today."
"It's enough," I whisper.
I watch him go, coffee in hand, shoulders relaxed, with that familiar gait that says he belongs to the land more than any man I've ever met.
And I think maybe I'm not as lost as I thought.
Maybe I'm just beginning to find my way.
Maybe this thing between us isn't about the mess at all.
It's about choosing something real even when it scares you.
Sitting in the car, keys still in hand, I let myself replay it. The moment he steadied me. The way his fingers brushed my cheek. How close he got. The look in his eyes. I wonder what would have happened if we hadn't been interrupted. If I had leaned in too. Part of me is glad we didn't cross that line, and part of me aches because we didn't. And now I'm left with the memory of almost. Of almost kissing him. Of almost falling. Of almost saying something real. And somehow, that almost feels more dangerous than anything else.
Then I glance down at my phone as a new message lights up the screen.
Bear:I liked seeing you today.
I bite my lip, a small, secret smile tugging at me.
Me:Me too.
Bear:Thanks for the walk. We should do it again sometime.
Me:I'd like that.
And just like that, the world feels a little lighter.
Chapter 12
Asher
Finn is up and leaving before sunrise. I hear the rumble of his old truck engine start up, the scrape of tires on gravel, and then silence again. I don't get up to say goodbye. Not because I don't care, but because we said our goodbyes last night and because it's always the same with him. The kind of hunger for something bigger, a better ranch, the best in the county which means hard work and more money. I lie there for a moment longer, staring at the ceiling, listening to the echo of his departure. It feels emptier than I expected.
Zach and I eat breakfast in the kitchen after chores. Eggs, toast, coffee, and silence, until he finally leans back in his chair with a smirk. "So, what's the plan now that baby brother's off chasing bulls and buckle bunnies again?"
I snort and shake my head. "Try to keep the place standing until he gets back, I guess. More work for us, but less food to cook."
Zach raises a brow, leaning forward slightly. "You think he's ever gonna hang up the spurs for good? Settle down and help run this place full-time?"
I stare at my coffee for a moment before answering. "I thought maybe he would after we signed the papers. After we finally had land to call our own. But he's not there yet."
Zach grunts in agreement. "He might never be. Some men are built for the ride more than the ranch."
"Yeah," I murmur. "But I keep hoping he'll come around. Eventually. Until then, his winnings will help keep this place going. He made sure to tell me last night that half of what he wins will go into the ranch account."