Page 95 of Full Send

Now, I’m back in the midwest. I crushed my presentation I left it all for, only to quit the job I’ve worked at for pretty much my entire adult life.

Fuck, Ronni. You really did it, you really channeled your inner Tanner Chapman.

I feel an unhinged smile forming on my face. I still have no idea what I’m going to do next, but for once, the uncertainty is welcome. I think… I’m actually excited about the unknown. I can start fresh, do what I want, on my own terms.

As I try to calm my nerves, I look at my large checked bag on the coffee table in front of me. It’s been such a whirlwind. I’m normally the type to unpack the second I get back, but now I’vebeen home for a day and still haven’t stopped long enough to unpack and do laundry.

I unzip my checked roller bag. I let out a small sigh. Lizzy did a shitty job packing for me, it’s a mess. She didn’t even bother to use my packing cubes to keep stuff organized.

After pulling out a few things, my heart stops.

There’s a roll of beautiful brown leather, held shut by a small leather tie wrapped around it. I run my fingers down it, feeling the smooth leather, my fingers trembling as they reach the horseshoe with a TC branded into it.

I unfurl the roll on the couch cushion next to me. My hand involuntarily jumps to cover my gaping mouth as I fight back tears.

There are two knives tucked into their pockets in the roll. At first, all I can see are the handles. The handles are a gorgeous, translucent resin, tinted teal. Floating in the teal resin of the handles are dried cayenne peppers, honeycombs, pieces of cinnamon sticks, and coffee beans.

I pull the larger knife from the roll, holding it out in front of me, admiring the way the handle fits perfectly into my hand. It’s a long, K-tipped blade chef’s knife. The Damascus steel blade is flawless, the alternating layers of light and dark steel look like tiger stripes. I place it back in its pocket, pulling the smaller one out to admire it.

As I pull it out, a note tucked behind the smaller one falls out. My heart is pounding. I’ve been so laser focused the last day and a half that I haven’t texted or called Tanner back. Well that, and I’ve been afraid to.

I realize I’m holding my breath as I open the note.

Ronni,

I know you always said you’d like a set of your own. I made these just for you. I hope these are to your liking. I think they’re the most beautiful ones I’ve ever made. Fitting for you the most beautiful, kind, strong person I know.

When I made these, I used some of Starlight’s old horseshoes I found in the barn. I always remembered how happy you were when Grandpa would let you ride her. I hope you can think about being happy like that whenever you use these…

And I’m sorry. I’m sorry I said what I did. I’m sorry I didn’t come to the airport. I never wanted to hurt you. I’ve loved you as long as I can remember and always will. I hope you can find a way to still trust me and forgive me.

Love,

Tanner

I stare at the note, watching a tear land on it, pooling over his handwriting before it runs down to my fingers.

I need to leave. I need to be with him.

I can feel the tears streaming down my face now.

I grab my phone to call Collin. He picks up on the first ring. Thank god.

“Hey lil sis, you doing ok? How was the presentation?” he asks, surprisingly calm.

I rush around the house in a flurry, grabbing things to throw back into my bag. “I’m coming back. I need to be back in Wyoming. I need to see Tanner.”

“Woah. Hold up. Slow down. What happened?” I can hear the concern in his voice, as I try to fight back the tears.

“I quit. I killed the presentation yesterday, but today… I just couldn’t fucking take it. I quit and walked out.” I hear a brief chuckle before he talks again.

I think I hear Lizzy now in the background, asking what’s going on before he replies smugly. “Well, it’s about fucking time. I’m so proud of you.”

“I’m looking at flights now. I’m going to come out. I can’t stay here. I need to be there. I need to be with Tanner.” I say.

“I take it you found the stowaways then?” His tone is so smug now, I can picture his shit eating grin.

“You little shit. I thought that was Lizzy. Can you pick me up at the airport today or tomorrow? If I can’t get a flight, I’m just going to drive tonight. I just…” I can’t fight back the tears. “I just need to be with him.”

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