Page 2 of The Cowboy's Witchy Second Chance
I take them into the garage, which my aunt converted into a soap making kitchen. My test creations lie scattered about.
“How’s it going with the soap?” Nattie asks.
“This part seems pretty easy for me. I am already trying a few kitchen witch spells to make some special bars of my own.”
“I will totally be a guinea pig for you, if you need someone to try those out.”
I hug Nattie as a thank you. It’s nice seeing how comfortable the three of us still are with each other. They, of course, have lived in the same town all of these years. But I have only had social media contact with them for a couple of decades now and, yet, we still treat each other like sisters.
At the end of the tour, Clementine checks her watch.
“I got to run. Tonight is my dinner night. Did you decide to join us, Al? I really hope so. I know my brothers would like to see you and bathe in their ranch mansplaining roles.”
I laugh. Her brothers are great, but I can totally see them excited about making my new life on a Nigerian dwarf dairy goat farm a teaching project for them. I would like to see them too. They were always nice guys.
“This is going to sound dumb, but does Ford still work for you?”
Nattie arches her eyebrow at me and turns to look at Clem.
“Yeah, Ford has worked for us for decades now. He has really changed a lot since you two dated, though. I swear. He’s really gotten his act together.”
I don't respond, so Clementine continues.
“Plus, it’s dinner. The cowpokes join us for breakfast and lunch, but not dinner. You won’t run into him, if that’s why you’re asking.”
As she talks, I feel silly. I haven’t seen the guy since he graduated high school. And his temper was never specifically directed toward me. I didn’t feel unsafe with him. Just deeply unhappy because of his constant anger issues and getting in trouble at school.
“OK, sure, I’ll come over for dinner. Thank you. Sorry, I am being such a dork about it.”
Nattie puts her arm around me and gives me a squeeze.
“Hey lady, we get it. I am sure it’s a lot to come back to your hometown after a lifetime away. Adding an ex to the mix is probably a bit much.”
I walk them to their trucks and promise Clementine I’ll see her in a little while for dinner.
2
Ford
Before calling it a day, Amos and I are looking over our end of day checklist for the ranch when Beau walks into the barn.
“All set, fellas? Need anything from me before I head to the house?”
“We’re good. Minus Ford’s love life.” Amos cracks.
Beau eyes me while I throw an annoyed look over at my coworker.
“Having trouble with the ladies again, Ford?”
I sigh. My reputation as Bad At Online Dating is becoming quite the albatross around my neck.
“Yup, the story of my life. A woman I took out last weekend ghosted me. Again. I just deleted the dating app from my phone, which Amos told me is stupid, but I am so over this. Single life, I am here to stay.”
Beau gives me a brotherly slap on the back. He is my boss, along with his siblings, but I also consider him a friend. I have known him pretty much my entire life.
“Listen, mate, why not come to dinner tonight? Clem always cooks dinner enough for a kingdom, so I am sure there will be plenty for you.”
“You sure, Beau? I don’t want to put your family out.”
