Page 23 of Roping Reba

“The prettiest girl, huh?” Mac teased, smirking from across the fire. “Now that’s a story I haven’t heard.”

Johnny grinned, never taking his eyes off me. “That’s ‘cause it wasn’t just any girl. It was Reba. I was out cold until they pulled me off on a stretcher and that’s when I saw her. She was bitching at me, sure, but she was still the prettiest girl out there.”

A low whistle and a few laughs came from somewhere in the crowd. My stomach tightened.

Jax beamed, looking between us. “Was that when you fell in love with her, Papa?”

The group chuckled, but my breath caught in my throat. Johnny leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Something like that,” he said, his voice softer now, meant just for Jax. The conversation moved on, but I barely heard it. The weight of Johnny’s words settled over me, heavy and warm. I should’ve brushed it off, made some sarcastic comment to lighten the moment. But for once, I didn’t. Instead, I let myself feel it.

When I turned to walk away, Athena caught me by the arm. “Looks like you need another drink.”

I nodded and followed her to the makeshift bar. Mac and Athena had been married for years. She wasn’t a ranch person,Mac was. But they worked together and, as far as I knew, one thing led to another and now they were married. Both were semi-retired from their day jobs with a load of kids running after them. They were happy, the kind of happy I wanted one day.

She handed me a beer with a smile. “You know these men are all pieces of shit, right?”

I laughed. “Yeah, I figured as much.”

“I know I wasn’t around when you and Johnny were friends, but the stories I’ve heard aren’t too far off from Mac’s and my history. We were friends first, you know—inseparable. He was annoying as hell but hilarious, and I couldn’t pull myself away from him. We were partners at work and one day he decided he wanted something more. I made him suffer.” She laughed. “But damn, was it worth it.”

“I think you have a misunderstanding of what’s going on with me and Johnny.”

“I don’t think it’s me misunderstanding, Reba. It’s you.”

I shook my head and looked in his direction. Johnny had never been subtle about wanting to try for something more, but the past stung in ways I didn’t want to admit and certainly didn’t want to relive.

“Sometimes history can’t repeat itself.”

“Maybe, but sometimes it does, and it’s for the better. Johnny fucked up, that’s for sure, but he’s desperate for another chance with you. I can see it all over his face.”

I raised my gaze in her direction. “Do you know the whole story?”

“I know enough of it. Mac shared with me his side of it all and that’s why I can confidently say Johnny’s an idiot. Maybe I’m sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong, but that man is smitten with you, and so is his little boy.”

I looked over to Jax, who was precariously balancing a melted marshmallow over a graham cracker, and smiled. “I wish it was as easy to forgive Johnny as it is to love Jax.”

“Give it a try. Maybe he will surprise you.”

Later, after plates were scraped clean, and the fire burned low, Johnny found me near the fence, staring out at the pasture. My body hummed with excitement as he came close and I inhaled the scent of the bonfire overlapping his cologne.

“Didn’t think you’d stay this long,” he said, stepping up beside me.

I sighed, tilting my head up to the stars. “Me neither.”

“Are you feeling okay?”

“A bit sore, but that comes with the game. It’s been a long day.”

“I hate that you got hurt, but I love having you back here.” Johnny was quiet for a beat before adding, “You belong here, Reba. You always did.”

I swallowed hard, the warmth of the firelight no match for the heat in his gaze. Maybe, just maybe, he was right. “There is something special about this ranch. I travel a lot and I’ve seen a lot of ranch families, but Mac’s place has always felt a bit more like home.”

“It wouldn’t take much to get your RV and things down here. I can send some guys back to Rawhide.”

“I don’t know, Johnny, that’s a lot to commit to right now. It’s old as hell and it’s been sitting up at Rawhide since I parked it there before heading out to the B&B, what if it gives them trouble? You know that hitch is a pain in the ass.”

“I get it.” He sighed deeply before turning out to gaze at the pasture. “Besides, I’d rather keep you at my place than your own.”

“You say things like that and I don’t know what to do with it.”

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