Page 158 of When We Were Us
“Shut up and help me clean up this mess.”
She guffaws. “You’re lucky I love you. And cookies,” she says and swipes one off the counter, popping it into her mouth.
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
hank
The wind bitesat my face, and I pull my collar tight around my neck before tipping back the rest of my lukewarm coffee. It’s the fourth night of what was supposed to be a two-night trip to move what feels like a never-ending herd of heifer and calf pairs thirty-five miles to winter pasture. The pasture we’re moving from is only about three miles long but is a forest area that has cliffs on both sides. It's one of those areas that cows love to go into, but never seem to want to come back out of.
The terrain isn’t horrible, but it’s steep in spots. Plus, recent storms and downed fences make it nearly impossible to keep the herd completely together and on the trail. They’ve already scattered multiple times. Thankfully, we have radios and that makes communicating with one another easier, but to say things haven’t gone according to plan would be a giant understatement.
Add that to the fact that I’d had to ride Pop’s horse, Blackjack, instead of a still-recovering Apollo, and everyone out here is currently giving me a wide berth.Blackjack is great. He does well, but he hasn’t been ridden in this kind of situation for a couple of years now, and he’s been a little timid, which hasn’t helped matters.
Apollo has become like an extension of me, and there’s just something about the relationship between a rider and his horse that makes this kind of thing not only easier but more bearable. Especially when things go off plan.
I long for a hot shower, my comfortable bed, and a fire that doesn’t blow smoke into my face. But even that thought isn’t enough to stop the restlessness I’ve felt since the day Wren got on that plane back to California. Even if I was at home in the tiny, one-bedroom cabin, she isn’t. Even if I could shower or sleep in my bed, it would do nothing to fill the Wrenley-shaped hole in my life.
She’s been gone for just over three weeks, and we’ve barely spoken. Not for lack of trying, but between my hours at the ranch and her trying her damndest to get her life wrapped up in California, we’re lucky if we touch base once a day. Even then, that’s usually just a few quick text messages before both of us crash and then get up to start all over again the next day.
I haven’t had cell service for four days and I’m going insane wanting to hear her voice. I used the satellite phone to call Pop yesterday morning when it was clear we wouldn’t be back in the timeframe we’d planned on and let him know I hoped to pull in Saturday around noon. I asked him to let Wren know so she wouldn't worry when she didn’t hear from me.
I know it’s a temporary situation, but I’ve been pissy as fuck for weeks. I never let Wren hear it in my voice, but I’m sure if Hudson was in town, he wouldn’t be able to resist letting her know how miserable I’ve been.
I keep waiting for something to happen with Wren’s ex that will delay her coming back. Something with the condo, or who knows what. I’ve been sleeping like shit, even though I’ve been putting in sixteen-hour days every day just to keep my mind occupied.
Even the guys out here know to leave me alone if it isn’t related to ranch shit. I’ve been irritated and snapping at people all day and that isn’t like me. Ipride myself on having a pretty positive working relationship with everyone at the ranch.
A week ago, I’d ripped into Norah about something billing related and it wasn’t until I was out riding for half a day that I realized the screw up was my own. I couldn’t seem to get my fucking head on straight. I’d add Norah to the list of people I should apologize to when I got back.
Nodding to a couple of the guys, I stand and head for my bedroll. It's colder than hell and I know I’ll probably just toss and turn the majority of the night. I spot Tucker laying at the edge of camp. He lives for this type of thing and will likely stay right where he is all night.
I kick off my boots and climb into the cover of canvas with a shiver.When I’d taken over the ranch, Norah had purchased these upgraded bedrolls, for like, five hundred bucks a piece. However, it doesn’t seem to matter because the ground is hard as fuck and theincludedtoo-small pillow feels like sleeping on a sack of flour.
I probably won't get much sleep anyway.
CHAPTER SEVENTY
wrenley
I wakeup early Saturday morning to shower and dress in the warmth of our tiny cabin in the woods. I flew into Timber Forge last night and Finnley picked me up at the airport. She asked if I wanted to stay with her last night, but I’d declined. I longed to be back here where I felt closest to Hank, and where we’d spent so many nights together last month.
It feels so good being back, even without him here. The entire place screams Hank—tidy and practical, but also warm and constant. Just like him. Some might call it a bit predictable, and I guess I can see that, but with Hank, what you see is what you get. And I love that about him.
Despite my anticipation at seeing him, I’d fallen into bed and pulled his pillow against me, breathing in the scent of his shampoo. It had taken very little time for me to fall asleep.
I’d received a call from Duke on Thursday afternoon letting me know that while he was ok, Hank and the rest of the guys had run into some problems and wouldn’t be back until early Saturday afternoon.
Today is the day.
Duke and Emily invited me to breakfast this morning, and I need to get the Chevy where I know Hank keeps it stored in the shop at the main ranch. Duke said that after breakfast, he would tell me how to get to the area Hank and the herd would come in at. I cannot wait to see him. The honk of the horn outside lets me know Finn is here, and I lock up the cabin and head to the car.
It’s a cold morning, and I’m sure I will need winter boots soon. As it stands, I’m wearing my Chucks, but once the snow comes for good, these babies will not be practical at all.
The drive to the ranch doesn’t take long, and Finn and I talk about what she’s hoping to tackle first when she closes on my grandparents’ house next week. Hudson and Paige will be flying in for the long weekend, and we make plans to get together at her place for dinner while they're in town. I’m sure there will be some kind of dinner at the ranch with the rest of the family as well, if I know Emily like I do.
I still haven't fully decided what I’ll do for work long-term, but I’ve been looking into what I need to do to get my license here in Montana. For now, I’d love nothing more than to help out at the ranch. I’m looking forward to helping with more calves, which is in full swing from now until the end of November.
Finn drops me at the ranch house and drives away with a wave and a beep of her horn. She’s got a shift at Timber Treats in thirty minutes, but I promise to call her tomorrow.
