Page 6 of Loved By Tandy

He shrugs. “Not too bad. Just a little twinge from time to time. I do not recommend getting stabbed in the leg by a tree.”

Colt got hurt while helping people this past Christmas. He’d just started working for me then. But since that accident, I hover more. So far, he hasn’t complained.

“Noted. And make sure you get something.” I hurry down the back hallway to the little girls’ room. I’ve had way too much coffee today.

Thirty minutes later, Colt pops a third donut in his mouth before turning into the ranch.

I holler, “Stop!”

He slams on the brakes, and his donut lands in his lap. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing. I just want to snap a picture, so that I can order that gate. Any idea where I can order a gate? Not one that just swings open. But the fancy kind the goes up and over.”

Colt shakes his head, then rubs his face. “I think my heart stopped for a second, and I’ll ask around about gates. Sutton at the hardware store will probably know.”

“Good idea. And I didn’t mean to scare you. But when a thought comes, I have to grab it before it’s gone.”

He laughs, and once I’m back in the truck, he drives down the washed-out pavement.

I typically ride with Colt when I come out here because my car doesn’t do well on this poor excuse for a road. But having the roads paved is on my list, and it should be happening soon.

“Over there will be a rec room. Ping-Pong tables, a large table for board games or puzzles, and a comfy couch with an entertainment setup. And the cabins for our guests will be down that fork of the road. And I’ll have your cabin built by the barn.” Coming out here makes me giddy with excitement. When I squint, I can picture what it will look like.

He nods. “It’ll be fabulous out here.”

“And maybe while I’m matchmaking, I’ll find you a nice girl.”

Dimples appear on his cheeks. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that. Just last week, I learned to tie my shoes.”

Laughing, I pat his arm. “I’ve only ever seen you in boots.”

“Because I’m not good at tying shoes. Boots are easier.” He parks and grabs his cowboy hat off the dash. “I can’t even drink yet, Miss Tandy. Finding me a special someone can wait a bit.”

“We’ll have to see how life unfolds.”

My phone rings, and I stop outside the barn and answer. “Hello, Cami. What sort of trouble are you into today?”

“Only the fun kind.” She gives a playful laugh. “But I was calling to invite you to a barbecue next weekend. It’s mostly young families, but you know several of us. Zach, Haley’s husband is smoking a brisket, and those are always yummy. You should come.”

I try my best to keep busy because sitting alone at home sours my mood. And the last time I checked my calendar, I had nothing at all scheduled next weekend. So even though I’m questioning Cami’s motives, I say, “I’m free. What time and what should I bring?”

“Just yourself. I’ll text you the time and address.” She hangs up before I can tell her that I know where Haley lives.

Colt hooks his thumbs through his belt loops and leans back against the faded red paint on the barn. “Everything okay?”

“Great. That was a friend of mine. Let’s go check on things. Then later, if you aren’t busy, I’ll buy you dinner.”

“It’s a date. But I can’t stay out too late because I promised Mr. De Los Santos that I’d help him repair some fences. Have you met him?”

“I haven’t. But I’ve heard nothing but good things.” I stand in the barn and close my eyes, envisioning what it will be like when this ranch is up and running. Not just matching people but operating as a ranch. “Let’s go through the list. Then we candrive around a little. There is so much that needs to be done out here.”

“Seems like a lot now, but it won’t be long before singles will be driving under your fancy gate, excited about finding love.”

“That’s what I keep telling myself.”

I pull out my list, and for the next hour, Colt and I talk about the ranch and sketch out plans for the new horse barn. The current structure isn’t big enough, but it can be used for tools, hay, and maybe a tractor.

When I moved back to town, matchmaking wasn’t even on my radar. But watching the young couples around town lit this fire. I want the people who come to my ranch to have what I never did. Love. Romantic love. And I think I can help with that.

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