Page 7 of More Than an Ex-Girlfriend

Tessa is the best boss I’ve ever had. She pays me a fair wage, and I love what I do. I started right after she began dating Garrett, the ranch owner’s son. Because they live on the ranch where Archer works, I get to hear little updates from time to time. I haven’t told her the whole lamentable story of why I ended the relationship, but she knows my ex works out there and that I don’t want anyone to know I work here or even that I live in town.

I don’t want her to think I don’t like working here. “I’ll be okay. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Of course I’m going to worry about you. You’re my friend.” She leans forward, arms crossed on the desk. “So on the ranch, in a different part from where they run cattle and stuff, Lilith opened a venue. They host weddings, dances, corporate events. All kinds of stuff. Anyway, they’re building two guest houses—they’re side by side in one building—and were going to rent them out to people visiting the area. But then there was a drunk guy riding a bull and a couple of other incidents, so they decided not to rent them out as weekend rentals.” She smiles. “I promise this is going somewhere related to the topic.”

I return the smile, confused about how any of this possibly relates to my affording the apartment.

“Lilith asked me if I knew of anyone who was looking for a place to rent. She has someone lined up for one of the places and was hoping to find someone for the other side. She didn’t want anyone to feel all alone at night out there.”

It’s beginning to sound like I’m being offered a place to live on the ranch. The very same ranch where Archer lives and works. But Tessa did say the house is in an entirely different area from where the ranch hands live and work.

She continues, “The rent is low because it benefits the venue to have people living on the premises. The events coordinator, Mindy, and her husband, fabulous people, live almost across the road. He has a small ranch there. And Garrett and I live a bit away from the other houses, and it really isn’t that scary. I mean, I don’t go for long walks alone at night because there are wild animals, but it’s peaceful out on the ranch.”

“Except for drunk guys riding bulls.” I laugh because the image is funny, but in general, it seems a bit dangerous.

Tessa rolls her eyes. “It was after a party, and that old guy was three sheets to the wind. Thankfully, Chuck—that’s the name of the bull—is docile, and Mindy and Jeffrey managed to get the guy out unharmed. So what do you say? They are just finishing up the houses, so they’ll be ready in a few weeks. In January.” She slides a sheet of paper with the details written out. “And like I said, it’s far away from the rest of the ranch, so you probably wouldn’t see anyone that you knew before.”

I take one look and nod. “I’ll take it.” This is a step, progress. Not only will I be able to save money each month, but I’ll also be out of excuses to face Archer. Avoiding him while living on the same ranch would be silly. So I need to think of what to say soon.

Tessa grins. “Perfect. I’ll give Lilith your number, and she’ll be in touch. We’ll be neighbors. Faraway neighbors, but still.”

“It’ll be nice. Thanks for thinking of me.” I’m excited. After months of feeling like I was running in a rat wheel, this change feels promising.

I’m reminded of the message Crocheting-Cowboy sent long ago about moving-on being a series of steps. And while I’m moving closer, not away, from Archer, this feels healthy. I’m finally willing to be brave and face him.

Soon.

* * *

I wakeup Christmas morning and smile at the message from Crocheting-Cowboy.

Crocheting-Cowboy: Before I head out to celebrate with my found family, I want to wish you the merriest of Christmases. Sending you a gift would annihilate our anonymity, but after all these months of chatting, I consider you a friend.

I hope you get a nice surprise today and not just a day of lonely solitude.

Merry Christmas

I hug the phone to my chest, thankful for the faceless cowboy who makes me feel less alone in this world. Then I roll out of bed and make myself coffee.

As I’m filling my mug, someone knocks.

Layla is at the door with Nico right behind her. “Yay! You’re still in your jammies. That’s what we decided for this year.”

I blink. “Decided?”

She nods. “My sister, Issa, and her husband, Ryan, are hosting Christmas breakfast. No one you know will be there.” She winks as if that’s the least bit subtle.

“You never mentioned...”

“Because you would’ve said no. Somehow you have this idea that spending time with you is a burden. It’s not. We like you. My family will like you too. And later when we go to Nico’s parents’ house for Christmas dinner, you can come along. But I’m not sure if Dag and Goldie will be there.” She waves her hands. “Go brush your teeth and pour that coffee into a to-go mug. Breakfast is almost ready.”

Instead of rushing to the bathroom, I throw my arms around her. “Thank you. This is a nice surprise.”

She blinks, then fans her eyes. “I’m not going to cry on Christmas. But you’re welcome.”

On the way to her sister’s, I shoot off a quick note to Crocheting-Cowboy.

Regretful-Raccoon: Your wish came true. My friend showed up, and basically accosted me with an invitation. So I’m spending Christmas with her family. And it’s nice. She told me her parents have a gift for me, which is embarrassing because I only bought one for my friend. But like you said. Life comes with good and bad. Today, there is definitely more of the good.

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