Page 3 of Rust and Stardust

“Then I guess we’re driving.”

I sighed again, but this time out of pure frustration. Long road trips sucked, especially ones that would take nearly two days to complete. I hated being backed into a corner like this, and I truly could not afford to be traipsing about the country. There was hardly enough money in my account to cover the cost of food, much less anything else. And that meant using my emergency credit card, more debt, and even more reason I needed this stupid fucking job in the first place.

“Fine,” I said, pushing myself up from the chair and slamming my laptop shut before shoving it in my bag. “But I’m taking the rest of the day off because fuck these people.”

Logan grinned. “You know what? I’ll join you in that.”

“Chinese food?”

He nodded. “I’ll get the beer.”

I knew I shouldn’t be spending money on such things, but I was too exhausted and pissed to care at the moment. Besides, a tiny comfort before the shitstorm of morally reprehensible things I was about to do seemed insignificant. Because after this month I’d forever have to live with the fact that I was a corporate thief, just like everyone else on the executive team upstairs.

I just hoped that the promotion was worth it.

Chapter 2

Beau

The sun beat down on the back of my neck. If there was one thing about Texas summers a man could count on, it was the heat. I wiped the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand, smearing the dirt caked there from a long morning's work. The fence post I'd been hammering into the dry earth stood firm now, a testament to hours of backbreaking labor. Even Willow, my mare tied up a few feet away, was getting tired of being out in the heat. She showed her impatience by shifting every few seconds and stomping her hoof on the hard earth.

“I know, girl. I know. I’m almost done.” I said, trying to soothe her. She settled down instantly, giving me some side eye. Sometimes I swore that horse spoke better English than I did.

I sighed and went back to the fence, tightening the wire the last couple of inches. Such was the life of a small-time cattle rancher. Every time the cows broke something, I was the one that had to fix it. The ranch just wasn’t big enough to keep more than a single person on as hired help, and Frank was getting on in years. These days he kept close to the house, caring for the horses and tagging calves.

I stepped back, surveying the line of new posts stretching acrossthe rolling prairie. The old fence had needed replacing for years, but there was always something more pressing to tend to on the ranch. Now, with the county fair coming up, I couldn't put it off any longer. Folks would be driving by, and I'd be damned if they saw the Turner Ranch looking anything less than pristine. We had a reputation to uphold. That and I’d hate for the cattle to get out and cause an accident. If there was one thing that didn’t mix, it was cows and cars.

A gentle breeze rustled through the tall dry grass, and I closed my eyes, savoring the sweet touch of it against my skin.

“Looks good, son,” came a gruff voice from behind me. I turned to see my father, Jack Turner, approaching on his old mare. He swung down from the saddle with a grace that belied his sixty-five years, his weathered face creasing into a smile.

“Thanks, Pa,” I replied, my voice low and quiet. I wasn't much for words, never had been. But Pa understood me just fine.

He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “It’s gonna look real nice for the fair this weekend.”

I nodded, squinting against the sun as I looked out over the pasture. The fair was always a big deal in Sagebrush, bringing in folks from all over the county and beyond. It was a chance for everyone to show off their best - whether that was livestock, produce, or barbecue. The Turner Ranch had been known for its prize-winning beef for generations, and this year would be no different. I’d spent the entire past year making sure of that.

“You gonna enter the barbecue contest again this year?” Pa asked, his voice casual but his eyes sharp. “Some of the folks in town have been askin’ about you.”

I hesitated, rubbing the back of my neck. The barbecue contest was a sore spot between us. I'd won it three years running with my secret recipe, but last year... well, last year I'd decided not to enter. It had caused quite a stir in town, and Pa hadn't been too pleased. Mostly because he was the one that had to deal with the fallout. I just stayed on the ranch and worked. The only person I saw much intown was the waitress at the diner when I picked up lunch now and then.

“I don't know, Pa,” I said finally. “You know how folks are. If I’m there… they'll start talkin' even more than they already do.”

Pa sighed, his weathered face creasing with concern. “Son, you can't keep hidin' out here on the ranch forever. People are gonna talk no matter what you do. Might as well give 'em somethin' worth talkin' about.”

I shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his gaze. Pa meant well, but he didn't understand. He was the picture of normal out there in the sticks. In a small town like Sagebrush, rumors spread faster than wildfire when people were… different, and they burned just as hot. The whispers had started after I'd turned down Amber May's proposal two years ago at the fair. She'd cornered me by the barbecue pit the moment the champion trophy was handed to me, and got down on one knee right there in front of God and everybody. I'd never been so mortified in my entire life. I turned her down before she could finish. And some folks thought turning down one of the most beautiful girls in town was a bit suspicious.

“I just don't think it's a good idea,” I mumbled, turning back to the fence to gather up my tools.

Pa let out a long sigh, his boots scuffing in the dry dirt as he shifted his weight. “Beau, you can't keep runnin' from people. This town... they might surprise you if you gave 'em half a chance.”

I stiffened, my hand freezing on the handle of my hammer. Pa had never been this direct about the situation before. We'd always danced around the subject, letting the unspoken words hang heavy between us. But now, with the fair looming and the whole town buzzing with anticipation, it seemed he was done with subtlety. It sounded like he was trying to be supportive, but then again, it wasn’t like he knew my secret. I’d yet to hear those words from his lips. Of course, I hadn’t admitted the truth out loud to him yet. Or myself, for that matter.

“It ain't that simple, Pa,” I muttered, shoving the hammer intomy tool bag with more force than necessary. “You know how folks 'round here can be.”

“Maybe so,” he conceded, his voice softening. “But you're a Turner, son. And we go back as far as Sagebrush herself does. One embarrassing moment ain’t gonna change that.” He patted me on the shoulder again. “Just think about it, will ya? For me.”

I let out a long sigh, nodding. He really was just talking about the proposal and nothing else, after all. “I’ll think about it.”

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