Page 44 of The Cowboy Takes A Bride

Yet, Meredith couldn't complain. Something lovely was happening in those dark hours where she and Jace would lie next to each other with a rolled blanket between them. They were talking. Every night the conversation would start out about the progress of the construction in the cabin but always lead to the livestock, the expectations of the ranch for the season, and often times they laughed about the bear messing with the herd, joking how the animal seemed to know the ranch’s schedule and always seemed a day ahead of them when striking the herd. It was through these quiet shared moments that Meredith knew––regardless of the outcome––she'd done the right thing leavinghome. Her life had purpose, and living each day with that knowledge filled her cup.

Until about midafternoon when Willow's yammering depleted her energy. By that point, Meredith would escape to the garden or the barn to find a chore and quiet haven.

At the top of the second week, the construction crew was a day from finishing the cabin, the kitchen was clean from breakfast, Jace and Tuck were out in the field, and looking forward to alone time, Meredith took her freshly topped-off coffee out into the garden to water and weed and get lost in the activity.

She stopped short when she saw Willow had infiltrated the garden, elbows deep in pruning and weeding.

“Oh,” Meredith said, searching for something more articulate to say. She’d yet to be alone with Jace’s sister and feared a round of twenty questions was inevitable. Willow would see right through their story. Shoot, maybe everyone else already did, too, and were just being nice, but Meredith knew Willow wouldn’t be the type to politely ignore the obvious. She was frank, outspoken, comfortable in her skin, a well-loved young woman who liked to call peoples’ bluffs.

“Sorry, I like to keep busy,” Willow said with a smile before returning her attention to the plants.

“Yes, me, too. I thought you were studying or something.”

Willow snorted. “That’s my whole life. Books and more books. Notes and lectures. Don't get me wrong, I like school, and I try to keep it positive for my family, but I’ll be glad when it’s over. It's nice to do things like this.” She swept her hand over the dirt around her.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it then.” Meredith turned on her heel.

“Or you could stay and help. We could get to know one another better.”

Which was precisely what Meredith was afraid of—the probing and high probability that Willow would see through her,find her lacking, and tell her family Meredith didn’t belong. It was silly, Meredith knew that on some basic level, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t happen. It was easy to feel like an imposter in a group of people when you felt like one inside your own body.

“You can take that side.” Willow pointed to the end rows. “I haven’t done that yet.”

Meredith set her cup on the table, took in a deep nerve-steadying breath, and joined Willow in the garden.

They worked in silence for a bit, Meredith wondering what the best course of action would be—keep her distracted with idle chatter, something she wasn’t very good at, or let it play out. She went with the latter.

“You and my brother are cute together,” Willow said.

And so it begins.

“Thanks.”

“It’s nice to see him happy.”

The statement reminded Meredith of the list she’d seen on her first night at the ranch.Be happy.Meredith looked at Willow and found she had her full attention.

“I hope he’s happy. I know I am.” Meredith hadn’t really given it much thought but realized her words were true. She loved living on the ranch, using her hands, and being part of something bigger that was good. The air suited her, the work was rewarding, and the family…well, a person couldn’t be more thankful for a bunch of people who’d been strangers a few weeks back.

Willow smiled wide and sat back on her heels. “I’m not going to grill you about how you met or anything. Mom said Sabrina and you are friends, and I can do the math. Not that I’ve ever been told what Sabrina does for a living, but I figured it out. Anyway.” She waved her hand dismissively and shook her head, her smile even bigger. “Outside this family, Sabrina knows Jace better than anyone. If she paired the two of you together then,for me, that’s as good as God sending a cupid down and shooting you both in the butts with a connected arrow.”

Meredith blinked. What did one say to that? She had no idea, so she smiled instead. “You have an amazing family.”

Willow’s smile wavered; she blinked rapidly and nodded her head. “They are great.”

“I didn’t mean to upset you.” The headaches that she’d thought she lost until recently poked at her edges, trying to break through.

“It’s not that.” She shook her head again. “It’s seeing Pops. It’s hard. Don’t tell mom, but I didn't sign up for summer A session.” She shrugged and looked away, wiping the corner of her eye. “I wanted to be home. I’m afraid I’m going to miss something. Everyone wants to keep on going like everything is all right, but it’s not all right. I can’t sit in class knowing my dad….”

Large tears rolled down her face, falling into the dirt.

Meredith swallowed the lump in her throat. “Did Jace tell you my mother passed away when I was sixteen?”

Willow shook her head. “He just said you didn’t have family.”

A small, bitter laugh escaped Meredith. “It’s kinda true. My father is still alive, but he’s…well, anyway. One day my mom was there, and the next she wasn’t. I’d give anything for more time. I’d give anything to sit with her and just enjoy the space she’s in.” Meredith let go of the tears she’d been holding back and, magically, the headache evaporated.

Willow nodded. “Yes, that’s all I want.”

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