Page 55 of On His Ranch

“And then he just got mad at me!”

“Well, were you doin’ it wrong?” the older woman teased.

Piper dropped her gaze as a blush stained her cheeks.

“What did you say?”

“I just asked him about the horse that went missing. And he got mad. I told him that he could talk to me, and he blew up!”

“Ah,” Patti said knowingly.

This got her to look back up. “What? What did I do?”

“My son doesn’t like to discuss his problems,” she stated matter-of-factly before sipping her tea.

“I just want to help him!”

“He doesn’t like to accept help, either.”

“Maybe he doesn’t think I can help,” she mused.

“Maybe, or maybe, in his own strange, cowboy way, he’s tryin’ to protect you.”

“But fromwhat?” she burst out, her frustration returning full force. “That’s what I keep trying to find out!”

“I’m afraid I can’t help you there.”

Something about the way she said it made Piper look closer at her, but Patti remained serene under Piper’s scrutiny. “I just want to help him because I care about him.”

“I know you do.”

“And if he cared about me, he’d let me, right? I mean, don’t people in a relationship help each other? Shouldn’t they be able to talk?” The words tumbled out in a rush.

There was no missing the sparkle in Patti’s eyes. “Areyou in a relationship?”

Piper looked at her hands, unsure of how to answer. Maybe that was where she’d gone wrong. Sure, she’d only known Chase for a short amount of time, but…

“I thought we were. I mean… I’d like to be.”

“And how does he feel?”

“Well… I guess he doesn’t feel the same way, not if he doesn’t want to talk to me.”

Patti reached across the table and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Did youaskhim?”

“No. But—”

“I wouldn’t go jumpin’ to conclusions on account of one spat, Piper. Ask him, and don’t let him weasel out it.”

“But if he doesn’t want to tell me this, then isn’t that my answer?”

“Why would one have somethin’ to do with the other? My son is as bull-headed as his grandfather, but my mother stayed married to him for forty-two years before she passed. I reckon that must mean he was a good man.” Patti winked. “And if you think Chase is too, then ask him where you stand. If he doesn’t feel the same way, that will hurt,butit’s better than not knowing.”

“Has it been a long time? Since Chase has been with someone, I mean? I get the feeling it’s been awhile…”

“Hmm, I think you’d better ask my son about that.” Patti patted her hand. “And when you do, tell him how you feel. Believe me, honey, I’ll be rootin’ for you.”

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