Page 16 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

Ugh, I don’t want to sound like an asshole, but I have to be honest. Do you know how many vets aren’t interested in therapy? How many don’t want to feel like they need help or even if they don’t mind admitting that they need it, they don’t want to talk to do-gooders who don’t really understand what they’re going through?

Really not trying to be an asshole here. Not calling you a do-gooder either, that’s just how some vets see it. I just hope you know what you’re likely going to face. Even after you study for years and work your ass off to become a therapist, it might be difficult to make the kind of difference you want to. Hope you’re not mad at me for saying it.

Anyway – on to other stuff. I should tell you more about me. You probably guessed from my username – or April told you – that I’m one of six brothers and we have two sisters as well. I’m the second to the youngest, but only by about twenty minutes. Kolby’s my twin, and he claims that I elbowed him out the way so that I could go first. He might be right about that; we’re twins but we’re not identical in looks or personality.

He’s more laid back. Hmm, that doesn’t sound great, does it? It’s not that I’m not laid back, I just like to get shit done. Not that Kolby doesn’t – damn, I’m not explaining this well, am I?

As for the rest of them, Cash is the eldest, and going down in age, there’s Ford, Wade, Tanner, then the girls – they’re twins as well – Laney and Janey, then me and Kolby. Our mom died when me and Kolby were real small. (Reading back through before I hit send. I don’t want you to think I’m dumb; I know itshould be Kolby and I, but that’s not how I talk. If I feel like I have to be on my best behavior here, I don’t think there’s much point, is there?) Our dad’s still around but we don’t see him. Long story that I won’t bore you with yet.

And I just noticed how long this got. I’ll wrap it up. Kolby came over to see me and I want to hang out with him for a while. Plus, I’m sure you don’t have time to read pages and pages between all your jobs. If this is too long, tell me, and I’ll keep it shorter next time.

Don’t want you to think that I’m all self-absorbed though, I told you about me – what about you? What’s your family situation?

Hope you’re having a good day and not working too hard.

Tyler

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Hi Tyler.

Wow, I like that you’re keeping it real. I’ll do the same. You’re right – there’s no point trying to pretend to be someone we’re not. The first thing I want to do is tell you that just because I’m emailing at midnight on a Saturday night, it doesn’t mean that I’m a party animal. I told you I work at the resort. I’ve been picking up shifts behind the bar at the restaurant there – it’s called The Boathouse. It’s a fun place. They have a regular band who plays there most weekends – they’re really good, the drummer is April’s fiancé, Eddie. Sometimes, like tonight, it gets super busy in there because Clay McAdam gets up and sings with them.

I’m assuming that you know who Clay McAdam is, but I might be wrong. Just because you’re a cowboy, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you like or even know about country music, does it? What kind of music do you like? I love country – but maybe that’s not something we have in common.

And yes, I do ride. I love it, but I don’t get the chance very often – no time. Whenever I’m at the barn, I’m trying to get as many stalls clean as possible before anyone else arrives. At least, that used to be the case. These days, my little brother, Booker, works there with me in the mornings, we’re there from 7 till 10 most mornings. He’s awesome, and he’s a hard worker, too.

And haha, I promise you that I’m not a bodybuilder with a mustache and a mean streak. I don’t think I’m exactly a pretty gym-babe either, though – sorry. I mean, I think I’m okay-looking but to me, a pretty gym-babe would care more about her clothes, hair, and makeup than I do. I don’t get to spend as much time in the gym as I’d like, either. Oh, and I teach Pilates classes. I am certified as a personal trainer, but I don’t work with clients anymore. I probably should, the money’s better, but I’m not very good at marketing myself or asking people for money.

I don’t know about exchanging photos. I have it in my head that you’re … lol, don’t know which word to use. Let’s be on the safe side and say attractive. I’m definitely not thinking that you might be fugly! Love that word! April said that you’re hot. And Hope did, too – although you should have seen Chance’s face when she said that!! So, no, I don’t think I need to see your photo yet – but the curiosity might kill me! It’s like you said, it might change the way we get to know each other, and I like chatting with you like this. (This is me adding in as I readthrough before sending – I REALLY want to see what you look like! I’m not afraid to send you a photo of myself, either. Part of me thinks it’s stupid not to – what if there’s no attraction? Another part of me loves the intrigue and wants to keep it going.)

Oh, and before I forget, no your message wasn’t too long – I love it! Sometimes I might only shoot you a quick reply, but if I do it’s only because I have to get to work. I’d rather send you something short than leave you dangling.

And wow! You’re one of eight kids! Do you all get along? Does everyone still live there in … is it Livingston where you live? That’s what your profile says, but since it’s a ranch, I’m guessing it’s out of town a ways?

As for me, I have my little brother, Booker. And then … there’s more to my story, too, and I’ll explain it to you someday – if we get that far, if we ever meet up, if you don’t ghost me when you see my photo or something, haha! – For now, the easiest way to explain it is that I was adopted. My mom’s awesome! She used to work a government job, but she retired from that and moved to Summer Lake when she rescued some horses from a kill pen. She boarded them at the barn where I work. My dad’s awesome, too. He was in the Army – he was Special Forces. He and his friend run security for Clay McAdam.

And what else? Oh, I’m not offended at all by what you said – you’re right. I know a lot of vets think that therapy and therapists are a waste of time. I get it. I really do. I know that’s going to be one of my biggest obstacles. I’m under no illusions, but I appreciate you trying to warn me. If I were some starry-eyed idealist, you’d be doing me a big favor by warning me.I’m not, though. I know it’s going to be an uphill battle, but that doesn’t put me off. I know I can help.

I’m kind of lucky in that there’s a whole bunch of former Special Forces guys who live here in town. Most of them are older. There’s a mix of Marines, Navy SEALs, and others, my adopted dad used to be a Delta Force operator. So, I have lots of friends I can ask for input and advice.

I also have another job that I work sometimes. I was easing you in gently to just how many jobs I really work! That one’s at a new sports bar on the other side of the lake. A couple who are both around our age took the place over and they’ve really turned it around. But the point is that he used to be a Navy SEAL, too. The other guys are all my dad’s age, but the guy who owns the sports bar said that if I want, he can put me in touch with some of the younger guys who might be more open to talking to me about the different approaches.

Shoot, I know this is getting long, and I really need to get to sleep. But one more thing – I have to tell you that I want to specialize in hypnotherapy. I know it can really help. One of the SEAL guys here in town went to see a hypnotherapist in Salt Lake City and it’s helped him so much. But my point is that if you think hypnotherapy is hokey – and I know a lot of people do – then we might not have enough in common.

Gah! I want to delete that last bit. I really like talking to you so far, but I think it’s important that as well as looking for things we have in common, we should probably look for dealbreakers, too.

Okay. I’m going to hit send before I chicken out. My turn to say that I hope I hear back from you – and totally understand if I don’t.

Goodnight.

Shayna.

PS – but I hope I do.

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Hi Shayna.

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