Page 177 of We Redeemed the Rain

The phone buzzed in my pocket. Expecting Jesse, I pulled it out, then frowned at the screen. I wasn’t one-hundred percent sure, but it looked like Peter’s number that I dialed yesterday. I closed the gate and swiped to answer the call. “Meadowbrook Ranch.”

“Hey, is this Tag?”

“Yeah.”

“This is Peter Thompson.”

“Hey, P?—”

“Listen. I need to get something off my chest.”

“Alright.”

“I feel like a real jackass. I barely slept last night.” He took a deep breath. “I love my whole family. Honestly, we’re all thick as thieves, but IadoreBea. Aside from my bride, she is my favorite person on the planet. When she came home from Texas all messed up, it really pissed me off. I’ve made a crap load of assumptions about the kind of man you must be to send her away with a broken heart.”

My chest tightened.

“Bea called and texted and even reached out to the guy who works for you—can’t remember his name. At first, I thought she was being ridiculous, all hung up on someone she had only known for three weeks. But when I found out you two were best friends foryears? Man, I’m not going to lie, I’ve been fuming.”

I nodded, staring off into the distant pastures. The idea of Bea grieving made my stomach turn, the nausea I’d felt all day kicking up to threatening levels.

Peter continued, “But Bea told us you have some stuff from your past that you’re sorting through—stuff that makes relationships and trust complicated. And because of that, she wanted to give you space and time. Here’s the thing about Bea; she’s level, smart, knows what she wants, and is capable of making tough decisions even when they’re hard. And that’s the only reason I’m trying not to assume you’re some low life guy taking advantage of her or playing with herheart. If she says you’re the real deal, this family is going to back her up and treat you like the real deal. I was an ass leaving you hanging yesterday. Bea would skewer my head if she knew.”

“I’m pretty sure if I had a sister, I’d feel the same way.”

“Here’s the real reason I called. Bea has been at our Aunt’s cabin in the mountains, writing songs, for a week. Her phone is out of service range and apparently she’s been having trouble connecting to the WiFi at the neighborhood club house. My guess is that’s why you haven’t heard from her. Last night, after you and I talked, I got an email from her saying she planned to book a flight back to Texas because she was desperate to see you. And she has something to give you.”

A breeze hit the smoldering embers in my chest.

“And I have something to say about that. I think, if you love her, you should come to her this time. She spent three weeks in your world and got sent away empty handed. It seems really crappy to me for her to have to travel back to make things right. In my opinion, it should be you. You should be the one to fix it.”

I nodded. Thought after thought rolled through my head faster than I could grab and process them. The only one that instantly embedded into my heart was this:she wants to come back to Texas.

“I don’t know your life and responsibilities, so I have no clue if you’ll be able to drop everything and fly to Colorado, but Bea has a studio day on Friday. Unless other commitments prevent us from going, my family always goes and supports her. Sarah and I will be there this time, and I wanted to…to invite you.”

Responses vanished from my mind, stolen by the shock of witnessing impossibility.

Stories Strings wrote about her family filed through my memory at lightning speed. I didn’t know them experientially, but I’d lived vicariously through her many times. Her joy in her loved ones stirred my joy, too. The Thompsons, unbeknownst to them, had given a young, lonely man hope.

I swallowed hard as warmth pricked my eyes. Speaking through a taut throat, I asked, “How would your family feel about seein’ me there?”

Peter huffed again. “They’d be relieved. Jackie is telling everyone you’re forever quality and made for Bea. Bea is saying you’re it for her. I think everyone will just be relieved to see stuff get worked out and see Bea smile again.”

I never would’ve made that journey without an invitation. I never would’ve assumed she wanted me without Peter’s words. Before I’d even thought through a response, one was flying from my lips. I stammered, emotions making it almost impossible to speak, “I—I can’t remember the last time I was invited to something.”

He laughed fully then, the sound unspooling the tension in me. “Well, if you start hanging with the Thompsons, there will be a lot more where that came from. That, I can guarantee.”

I didn’t think about the ranch, the horses, or the workload I’d leave Jesse and Cooper with. I didn’t worry about the anxiety of traveling alone to a new place. I didn’t consider what the Thompson family would think of me. I didn't wonder about where I’d stay or stress about where the money for a hotel would come from.

All I thought of was her sunshine stooping to untie my muddy boots, the smile in her eyes even as she hid painful blisters from me, and the tears dripping from her chin as Tillie brought her baby into this world. I thought of her standing on the rodeo fence, jumping up and down and cheering for American Pie like she just won the lottery.

Bea was going to sing. And I got invited to support her.

Peter was right. This time, it should be me.

FORTY-EIGHT

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