Page 60 of The Story We Wrote

“Thanks, Park,” I said, coming around the counter to hug him. Parker hugged me back, rubbing between my shoulder blades in a calming motion.

“Just know, if that Cassidy boy breaks your heart, I’m coming for him.”

Laughing, I pulled away from the hug. I knew that he meant it. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind he would make Boone regret it too. Letting myself even think about Boone and heartbreak wasn’t an option today. I didn’t just go toe-to-toe with my parents to prove them right; I was going to prove them wrong.

Twenty Nine

Boone

I used to drown myself in the ranch, spending every waking moment doing something. Whether that be moving the cattle, taking the horses to stretch their legs, or being the first to jump on a task.

After graduating, I needed to grow up a bit. I decided it was time to focus on bettering the family business and myself. I knew one day I’d inherit the ranch and that meant success for my future started the minute I threw my cap in the air and said goodbye to Faircloud High School.

With that being said, my priorities recently changed. I found my mind wanting to be occupied with something, or I should say, someone else. That didn’t mean being less invested in the ranch. It meant creating a life for myself beyond ranching and riding.

When I was with Aspen, I couldn’t seem to pull my attention away for more than a moment. I’d steal glances whenever I could, preferably when she wasn’t looking. I admired her in every way possible, from her stunning body to her beautifulmind. Even when I was working, my mind drifted off to la la land where it was just her and I playing house with nowhere else to go but our four-post king-sized bed.

What the hell happened to me? I was one lucky man to have someone like her willing to give me a chance. I was put on this earth to make her happy, finally finding my life’s purpose.

Physical labor always helped me clear my head; when things got tough or when my mind was a bit all over the place, I turned to tossing hay or fixing something. Right now, my mind was in pure chaos.

Aspen came home last night after seeing her parents, and things didn’t go well. I could tell by the way she acted that the conversation didn’t go the way she wanted. I’d learned a lot about her mannerisms over the last few months. I can read her like a book.

When her bright personality dimmed, I knew she was in her head about something. I tried to talk to her, tried to understand what happened, but she remained closed off, which wasn’t like her. I let it go, knowing she would open up when she wanted. She needed me just to be there, and I was more than happy to do it.

Today, I turned to fixing the farm truck. Nothing was seriously wrong with it; the breaks were starting to squeal, which meant it was time to replace them. I was laid up under the truck, all four tires removed. If I was going through the trouble, I might as well rotate them too. Turning a bolt loose, I began to take apart the back passenger side break.

I nearly dropped the wrench on my face when I was startled by a knock on the barn door. Rolling out from the truck, I wiped my hands on a towel and saw Aspen’s brother walk through the door.

“Oh hey, man,” I said, standing up.

Parker Westgrove was the last person I expected to see today considering no one ever saw him outside of the hardware store.He was a recluse with no real friends or relationships around Faircloud. That sounded harsh, but it was true.

“I came by to talk to you about something.” Parker got straight to the point, bypassing the greeting. Did I also mention he was a bit of an asshole? Not even a “Hey, how are you?”

“Sure, what’s up?” I asked, standing with my feet apart and my arms crossed over my chest. I didn’t mean to make it seem like a power move, but I guess it was.

“I’m here as a concerned brother and to make sure my sister isn’t just another pawn in your game. By the way, Aspen doesn’t know I’m here.” He was harsh. I admired that about him. He gave no fucks what anyone thought and would set you straight without thinking twice.

Parker may be built like an ox, but I still had my masculinity to protect. “I like your sister, and if you’re here to try and convince me to leave her alone, I’m not, so you can save your breath. I have nothing to prove to you.”

Parker, who was typically straight-faced and stern, actually cracked a smile. “After telling our parents, Aspen came to see me and was furious. She cares about you. I can tell that much. I haven’t seen my sister this riled up enough to put our parents in their place, ever.” Parker continued, “So, you’re right, you don’t have to prove anything to me. I’m able to take my sister’s judgment as enough.”

“Then why are you here?” I asked.

“Are you willing to prove to my family how you feel?” I never felt the need to prove myself to anyone in this town except my family. For Aspen, I was willing to go the extra mile to make sure the Westgroves knew how much I cared for their daughter.

Sitting with the question, I pondered an answer. I’d shout from the highest mountain in Faircloud that I cared about Aspen or fight a bull if it meant showing them how much she meantto me. However, I couldn’t say that to Parker. “What’s there to prove?”

“She tell you how our parents reacted?” I shook my head because she hadn’t. Last night she was quiet, laying her head against my shoulder on the porch swing while I stroked her hair. “In that case, let me give you the short version. My parents blew up and Aspen left crying. They don’t think you’re good enough for her.”

“Oh, for fucks sake,” I said, laughing out loud while placing my hands on my hips. “I’d do anything for your sister. The way I feel about her, I’ve never felt towards anyone. She’s special and I’m lucky as hell she sees something in me that clearly the rest don’t.” Never did I think that the choices I made growing up when it came to women would be held against me as an adult.

Aspen was unique. She made me feel rich, the kind of rich money couldn’t buy. When I thought of her, I saw her beautiful smile and blushing pink cheeks. I admired her kind soul and captivating presence. Picturing her eyes, blue as a cloudless sky, made my heart beat faster with excitement. I was gone for this woman, a woman I never thought would be willing to give me a chance. She thought no one ever noticed her, but Ialwaysdid.

Parker relaxed his body, slouching from his stern stance. “I have an idea. Are you up for it?” Parker asked, grinning for the second time since coming into the barn. Whatever his idea was, I was in as long as it meant Aspen would be happy.

“Tell me what I need to do,” I said, walking towards Parker with my hand out. Parker placed his in mine and we shook on it. Keeping this plan a secret from Aspen was going to be hard, but if it was the only secret I ever kept from her, I think I’d be okay with that.

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