Zach shifts back in his seat, gaze thoughtful. "In the meantime, looks like it's just you and me holding down the fort. Think we can manage without his charm and chaos?"
I chuckle. "It'll be quieter. That's for damn sure."
By mid-morning, I'm knee-deep in fencing repairs out on the western edge of the property. Last week, a storm loosened a few posts, and we are still going over every fence post from when we bought the place from Willy. I swear the cattle have been eyeing the weak spots, already sizing up their chance to make a break for it. I work with my head down, gloves on, sweat dripping despite the cool air. It's the kind of labor that lets you forgeteverything else for a while. Just the sound of a hammer against wood, wire pulled taut, the scent of earth and sweat.
But forgetting doesn't last long.
Around noon, my phone buzzes in my back pocket. Wiping my hands, I check the screen.
Josh:Headed your way. Jenna wants to check on Duke.
Josh is a friend, not just a fellow rancher. All my life, he and my dad have been good friends. It was perfectly normal until he started dating my sister. Now that they are married, it's still a bit weird with the age gap, but seeing how happy he makes Jenna is worth it.
Me:See you soon.
Then I text Zach a heads-up as he's on the ranch working a different stretch of fence. It's about time to head in for a break and lunch anyway.
They show up just after lunch. Josh climbs out of the truck in jeans and a ball cap, a six-pack in hand. Jenna follows with her bag slung over one shoulder.
"Brought reinforcements," Josh says, holding up the beer.
"Better than coffee," I reply.
We go to the barn where Duke is resting in his stall, his leg wrapped neatly and his eyes calm. Jenna crouches beside him with practiced ease, murmuring soft reassurances as she checks the bandage and runs her hands down his leg.
"He's healing well," she says. "Cade did good work."
I nod, relief settling low in my chest. "Thanks for coming."
Josh claps a hand on my shoulder. "We all check in on each other. Comes with the territory."
After Jenna's done, we linger near the barn. When she walks over to lean against the rail beside Josh, she casts me a knowing look.
"So, Finn's off to another rodeo," she says casually. "I thought he'd stay home more now that y’all bought the ranch."
I shrug. "You aren't the only one who thought that. He's chasing something, but I don't think he knows what it is yet."
Josh chuckles. "Sounds familiar. Took me a while, too."
But when he looks over at Jenna, it's with nothing but love in his eyes.
Jenna nudges Josh with her elbow before turning to me. "I heard something else, too. Word is you took a walk around the lake the other day—with a certain developer employee."
I shoot her a look. "You hear that from the diner gossip train?"
"Maybe," she says with a grin. "Or maybe people just notice things."
Josh raises a brow, watching me a little closer now. "Anything we should know about?"
I shake my head, trying to downplay the tension curling in my gut. "It was just a walk. I figure if we talked in town, it would stop her from visiting the ranch anytime soon."
Even as I hear my words, my gut twists as it's far from the truth. I want Sunshine, the girl I've been texting, to show her around the ranch and spend time with her. Kassi, who works with the developer, I'm not so sure about.
"Mmhmm," Jenna says. "Well, folks are talking. Just thought you should know."
"Let them talk," I mutter. "It doesn't mean anything."
Josh studies me for a beat, then nods slowly. "Only you know what it means. But be careful, alright? Small towns remember everything."