Page 45 of Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek)

“Thanks for the text. I lost track of time.” Ellie finally turns in my direction and as she’s about to walk past me, I grab her arm.

“Wait. Who’d you look up to?”

“What?” Her gaze focuses on where I’m touching her.

“You said you knew what it’s like to have that taken away. Tell me who you lost,” I plead softly.

Let me in.

I’m close to begging.

The corners of her eyes well with unshed tears, and I fight the urge to brush my thumb along her cheek just so I can touch her soft skin.

“Did they die?” I prompt.

She finally looks up at me, a mix of anger and sadness written across her face.

“No, she didn’t die. ButI didthe day she was taken from me.”

Chapter Eleven

ELLIE

Driving by myself wasn’t too bad. Normally, it’s a four-hour drive to Franklin, but with the extra weight of Ranger and the trailer, it took almost six. But it was enough time to get through half my audiobook and two twelve-ounce Red Bulls.

By the time I pull into Serenity Springs Ranch where I’m boarding Ranger, I’m ready to find a bathroom and some hot food that doesn’t come from a gas station.

“Hey, ya made it!” Easton greets me with a hug, and I return the gesture. This is his uncle’s ranch where he lets me and a few other pro rodeo members stay when we’re in town.

“Sure did.” Smiling at him, I notice how much muscle he’s packed on since the last time I saw him. “You’ve bulked up.”

He lifts his arm and flexes. “Been workin’ out and trainin’ for saddle bronc riding. Once I finish out the year pro ropin’, I’m makin’ the switch.”

My eyes widen because this is the first time I’ve heard the news. “That’s dangerous!” I poke my finger into his hard chest.

Easton’s like a brother to me, so I worry about him. After he retired from barrel racing a few years ago, he moved on to roping, and now I guess, saddle bronc riding.

“Aww…you concerned about me?”

Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms. “Nope. I’m not your mother. Go break your neck for all I care.”

He chuckles. “Glad you haven’t changed since the last time we talked.”

Once he helps me unload Ranger, we get him settled into a stall. Then he introduces me to a few of his new horses and then leads me inside the large white farmhouse where his uncle greets me.

“If it ain’t the Rodeo Princess herself,” he taunts.

My cheeks heat at the attention. “You gonna watch me take the win this weekend?”

“You know I wouldn’t miss it. Hope you’re hungry,” he says, setting the table.

I nod. “Starving.”

After using the bathroom and cleaning up, I take a seat next to Easton and we dig into Uncle Pip’s famous pot roast. They catch me up on all the local town drama and even crack a few jokes about how often Easton falls off the bucking horses.

“I’m still trainin’. Gimme a break.”

“I can’t wait to watch it in action,” I tease.

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