Page 2 of One Hot Summer

“Sure thing, buddy,” I call back. “Grab the checkered blanket from the hall closet. I'll be right out.”

Balancing the plates and cups, I head toward the door, ready to face another day in this bittersweet life we built.

I settle onto the blanket beside Collin, the damp grass cool beneath us. Honestly, I love how adventurous he is. He is alwayswanting to help me around the ranch. Nothing like me at his age. I hope that doesn’t change.

“Dad,” he mumbles around a mouthful, “why do cows have four stomachs?”

I chuckle, reaching over to wipe his face with a napkin. “Well, buddy, technically they have only one stomach, it's just four different compartments. It helps them digest all that grass they eat. They need a lot to break it down.”

Collin's brow furrow. “But we only have one stomach, and we eat lots of stuff.”

“That's true.” I take a sip of coffee. “Our bodies work differently. We're not meant to eat grass like cows do.”

As we eat, I find myself drinking in every detail of this moment. The way the breeze ruffles Collin's hair. The warmth of the sun on my skin. The distant lowing of cattle in the fields. It is perfect in its simplicity, and for a fleeting instant, the weight on my chest lightens.

As we finish breakfast, Collin gathers his school things. I kneel down, adjusting his backpack straps, my hands lingering on his small shoulders.

“Have a good day at school, okay?”

“I will, Dad.”

I watch as he bounds down the driveway towards the waiting school bus, his backpack bouncing with each step. He turns at the end, waving enthusiastically.

“Bye, Dad! Love you!”

My throat tightens as I wave back. “Love you too, buddy.”

As the bus pulls away, I stand rooted to the spot. Collin is growing up so fast, becoming his own person day by day. I wonder, not for the first time, if I am doing enough, if I am the father he deserves. Believe me, I try but fuck is it hard to raise a child on your own.

The ranch stretches out before me, a living reminder of the legacy I am trying to preserve for him. It is a delicate balance – honoring the past while building a future. But watching Collin's eager face in the bus window, it is worth every struggle.

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. There is work to be done, a ranch to run, a son to raise.One day at a time. That's how we make it through.

Chapter Two

Kelsie

Gravel crunches under my feet as I step out of my car. My heart quickens, throat tightening as I take in the sprawling landscape. Rolling hills stretch to the horizon, dotted with grazing cattle and weathered wooden fences. I hesitated, feeling small and out of place in this setting. Yet, I spent so much time here as a teenager.

Taking a deep breath, I steel myself and begin the walk up the driveway to the porch. With each step, memories of Carson flood back - his crooked smile, the warmth of his embrace, the intensity in those piercing blue eyes. Eyes I'll soon be looking into again after all these years.

You can do this. It's just Carson. The same Carson you've known forever.

But was he? So much time has passed. We've both changed, grown apart. The carefree teenagers sneaking kisses behind the barn are long gone. In their place stand two adults shaped by life's hardships - me, broken by divorce and tragedy, and him, a single father after a divorce and losing his child’s mother.

The amount of heartache between us is overwhelming. The only time I’ve spoken to him since I left twenty years ago is when I heard about Sarah. He didn’t answer, but I left a voicemailexpressing my condolences. I remember receiving the invitation to his wedding. I almost went, but after a long night and then crying myself to sleep, I decided against it. For my sanity, I needed to stay as far away from him as I could then.

As I near the weathered farmhouse, I catch sight of a tall figure on the porch. Even from a distance, I can make out Carson's broad shoulders and dark hair ruffling in the breeze. He stands motionless, watching my approach, his expression unreadable.

With each step, my pulse quickens.What do I say? How will he react?The questions swirl in my mind, a dizzying whirlpool of anticipation and dread.Well, at least if this goes terribly, I can always hitch a ride back to town on one of those cows.The thought brings a fleeting smile to my lips as I climb the creaking porch steps, steeling myself.

As I reach the top step, our eyes lock. The world falls away, leaving only Carson and me in a haze. His piercing blue eyes, once so familiar, now hold a depth I can't quite fathom. The years have etched fine lines at their corners, hinting at both laughter and hardship. The sadness in his eyes almost breaks me.

Men from the city are hot in a suit and tie kind of way, but Carson. He’s rugged in the way where you can tell he works with his hands all day. I try not to stare, but the way his Levi’s are hugging his frame just perfectly makes a girl swoon.

“Carson,” I manage, my voice wavering. “I… thank you for this. For letting me stay. I know it's not ideal, and I promise I won't be in your way.” The words tumble out.

He shifts his weight, his expression softening. He tries to hide it but he looks at me up and down, drinking me in. “It's no trouble. You're always welcome here, you know that.”

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