Page 34 of The Story We Wrote

“I pay attention to you, Darling,” Boone responded, looking me in the eyes. The flames were softer now, and the smile he had on his face fell softer. I stared back, my own smile falling as well. I took him in; his blue eyes bore into mine. We sat like this for a few moments. I was the first to look away. It felt like I was the first to break whatever trance he put me under every time. I didn’t know what to say back, so I remained quiet, taking my legs out from underneath me. The fire was at a slow crackle, the flames nearly nonexistent. The wood smoked, which meant it was okay for us to head in. I stood first, and Boone followed.

“Goodnight, Boone,” I said, turning around and walking towards my cabin.

“Goodnight, Aspen.”

Fifteen

Boone

By mid-morning, Rhodes and Mac left, giving me time to prepare for my day off. The other ranch hands were taking over, which meant I had some time off, and I planned to use it with my mom. I hadn’t spent as much time with her as I would’ve liked to.

While in the bathroom getting ready, I heard my phone ringing in the living room. No one ever called me unless it was an emergency. I lightly jogged down the hall and reached for my phone before it stopped ringing, not taking a chance by checking the caller ID.

“Hello?” I said, probably sounding a little alarmed and out of breath to the person on the other end.

“Hey, big brother.” My sister, Ellie, said. It had been at least a month since anyone had heard from her. Even when she was in Faircloud, I worried about her every day.

“Ellie,” I sighed, smiling to myself, “it’s good to hear your voice.” The feeling of relief washed away faster than it came. Why was she calling me and not Mom? Was everything okay?

“Yours too.” She said, taking a breath. “I wanted to tell you I’m alive. I’m in Maine right now.” Maine was as far away as she could possibly get from Texas without leaving the country.

“At least I know you’re safe. It’s been a while, El. Mom is worried about you, and so is Dad. Hell, I’m always worried about you. Please tell me you’re okay.” I begged, wanting her to hear the desperation in my voice.

She let out a long sigh. “I know. I’m okay. I needed to get away from that town, Boone. After what happened, I can’t show my face around there.”

“When are you coming back?’ I asked, trying to remain hopeful. When she told my family and I she was leaving, I didn’t let the possibility of ‘forever’ be an option. She may say it now, but I knew she wanted to come home; she had to.

“I don’t know if I can. The scrutiny is too much for me right now. I’m embarrassed and sick over it. I needed to hear your voice.” Ellie was crying. I could hear it in her voice. Ellie took after our father. She was strong and took nothing from nobody. Shit would hit my sister and bounce off like she was made of rubber. Hearing Ellie crying, hearing the pain in her voice, she was internalizing everything and making it her fault.

“None of what that asshole did is your fault, you got that?” I said. I wasn’t going to let her take responsibility for his poor actions. “He’s the one who shouldn’t show his face in this town again. I’ll make his punk ass sorry he ever fucked with you.”

“I really needed to hear your voice. I can’t tell you when I’ll be able to come back because I honestly have no idea. Just know I love you, Boone.” She sounded defeated, a shell of my sister.

“I love you too, El. I’m here. The people who matter most are here.” I didn’t cry but I sure as hell felt like I was about to.

“Tell Mom I called, will you? I can’t face her right now over the phone. Texting is the only thing I can do.” Ellie replied.

“Of course. I’m here whenever you need to talk.” Ellie acknowledged and hung up the phone. My quick conversation with my sister didn’t change how I felt. I knew she may not be coming home right away, but she’s strong. Not many people knew what happened between them, just our immediate family and his. The town thinks Buck just cheated on Ellie, and that was the end of it; there was more to the story.

Hearing her voice should’ve eased my thoughts around the situation. Instead, it didn’t do shit. I wanted to talk to someone about it, and the first person to come to mind was Aspen. It wasn’t my story to tell, and sharing the details was not up to just me.

I put my go to playlist on to improve my mood as I got ready to head to the main house. Getting ready never took me long, so by the end of the second song, I was out the door.

I didn’t stop at the farm stand on my way to see my mom. I had a lot on my mind, and if I stopped in to see Aspen, she’d be able to tell, and I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from spilling everything. However, it didn’t stop me from slowing down as I passed just to catch a glimpse of her.

Aspen was busy moving around the stand and picking up empty mugs and plates. She was a natural, laughing and smiling with the patrons while gliding around the floor like she was a figure skater on ice.

Continuing to the main house, I took the time to think about what I would tell my mom before having to actually face her. I had to be honest and tell her Ellie called me, I knew my mom was going to be hurt. They always had a close relationship, but I understood my sister; it would hurt too much. My mom would try and convince her to come home, and knowing Ellie, it probably would’ve worked, but it wasn’t what she needed right now.

When I got there and all internal dialogue subsided, I walked around back to where the flower beds and other gardens were. If I knew my mom, she was already outside getting to work on fixing the beds.

I should’ve really played the lottery. My mom was in position, crouched down in front of her flowers. I snuck up behind her and crouched down; she was startled.

“Oh!” She exclaimed, her hand flying to her chest. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to spend my day off with the most amazing mother in the world.” I quipped, reaching out towards a clump of weeds in the mulch.

Mom playfully rolled her eyes and pulled off her gloves. She sat down fully on the grass, the sweat dripping down her forehead. Following her move, I sat down in the grass and stretched my legs out in front of me.

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