Page 30 of Older Cowboy

“You know you were my first love.” More tears flowed because she knew that she wouldn’t say the next part of the declaration she always said.You’ll always be my only love.This was a significant change. Powerful. Very difficult. “I needed to be here in this place to say this part out loud. I do know you’d never expect me to live the rest of my life alone. You would never want that for me. So I’m going to take the step I’m scared to death of.”

Her voice cracked on the last two words, yet the second she’d spoken them, she caught a whiff of Blake’s rain fresh scent on the breeze despite there not being a cloud in the sky. God was giving her a sign that everything was going to be okay.

A soft breeze kicked up, making the blooms she’d placed stir ever so slightly, and a sense of peace filled her that she couldn’t logically explain. She knew what it meant. As she slumped over onto her knees, with her forehead pressed against Blake’s name on his headstone, her crying continued. She was letting go, but it felt right. She’d always love Blake, there was no doubt about that. But she wouldn’t feel guilty about living her life. Not any more.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Cody had startedto grow used to the many contrasts between small town life in Montana and big city life in Minnesota, but one thing that remained the same was the weather. November in Minneapolis meant the first real snow that stuck, and since he was currently peeking out at an all-white landscape, that was one aspect the two locations had in common.

He’d liked winter all his life, and now was no exception, even if it did make farming more challenging. By challenging, it meant that anything that wasn’t tucked away in a greenhouse became dormant. It gave him more time to pack away the seeds he’d collected for the next season and to tend to the far lesser number of plants he kept inside. But otherwise, his time farming outside became limited.

Yet ranch work didn’t go dormant, so Cody had been pitching in with other work to remain productive. Even though this wasn’t in his job description, he couldn’t just stand by and watch the farmhands bust their rearends while he sat back and did nothing. So, he volunteered to help with the animals and some of the other necessities of running a massive ranch in frigid temps.

A fantastic benefit of having employers who put family first was that they did extra work ahead of Thanksgiving so that the majority of their employees could be off to enjoy their holiday. Most of the time Boone had to skate in an NHL game on those Thursdays, but for once, his team wasn’t playing. Cody had taken a trip to the Billings airport to pick him up, so appreciative that his little brother would be around.

He loved having Boone visit anytime, but lately, he’d been down in the dumps. He didn’t usually feel this way, but ever since Erika’s rejection, he couldn’t seem to bounce back. But the last thing he wanted to think about right now was Erika Cantrell, the woman he craved but couldn’t have.

Since Gabe met a young woman while there at the university and wanted to spend Thanksgiving with her family in Southern California, Cody would’ve ended up alone had it not been for his brother. While Cody felt happy for his son and wasn’t about to infringe on Gabe’s opening act with someone who might become important to him, Boone’s timing couldn’t be better.

“Man, it’s good to see you, even if I’m way better looking,” Cody snarked at his brother, wearing a wide smile on his face.

“As if. I’m the one who has to beat the puck bunnies off with a stick.”

True and always had been. Pro hockey players, just like all other pro athletes, had plenty of opportunities to meet with a contingency of fans chomping at the bit to date them. Which made Boone’s next announcement a serious shocker.

“So, I’m considering not renewing this contract for another year.”

“What? Really?” Maybe this shouldn’t come as such a big surprise since his little brother was one of the oldest players out there at forty years of age. Hockey tended to be a rough sport on the body, and what might be nothing at twenty became debilitating over the years. But still.

“Yeah, you know moving around in free agency has been tough.” Free agency in professional sports could be a gold mine for younger players who ended up in bidding wars. For older players it was usually a race to the bottom just to continue playing the game you loved.

“Yeah.”

“Well, I’m thinking it might be time to hang up my skates. I love it. You know I love it. But…” Boone trailed off, scratching at the back of his neck.

“Didn’t get injured again, did you?” Cody asked as he and his brother held a completely thawed turkey over a deep fryer.

Deep fried turkey was delicious, but using a frozen one would result in an explosion of fiery grease. Definitely not the best way to spend a holiday. And while his brother might be accustomed to taking risks while on the ice, taking that one would be stupid.

“No, man. I uh… met a woman.”

Together they lowered the turkey, being careful not to do it too quickly or splash any of the already boiling oil. With that situated, Cody aimed his feet toward his kitchen and the bag of coleslaw waiting in his fridge. He also threw his store-bought pumpkin pie in the oven.

“She got a name?”

“Kelsey. Been dating her for about seven months now, but it’s serious. If this is my last year, then next summer we can settle down together.”

Stunned, Cody plopped into a seat at the table. His baby brother had never been the settling down and planting his roots deep type. Unlike him.

“She makes me want to be there for her, to not be away from home,” his brother continued. “We’re looking at engagement rings.”

“You weren’t kidding about the serious part, then.”

“Nope. Not kidding at all.” Cody’s mind immediately flew to Erika, and the unlikeliness of his chances with her. “What’s that look all about?” Boone demanded of him, his features twisted in curiosity.

Cody blew out a breath, glanced over at his brother, then blew out another longer one. How to begin?

“I’ve been dating someone, too. Well, trying to, anyway. She’s not always onboard with it.”

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