Page 4 of Merrily Mine
It was hard to admit how desperate I was to find something like that for myself. Over the last few years, it had felt impossible. Sure, I’d dated, but my life hadn’t exactly lent itself to a long-term partner.
“You’ll find someone,” she said, with more optimism in her voice than I could muster up.
Would I?It didn’t feel like that anymore.
“I don’t know.” Looking down, I swirled the liquid in my glass. “Sometimes it feels like that’s just not going to happen for me.” I shook my head. “But it’s okay, really. I have my niece and nephews.” Benjamin and Angelina’s twin boys were a year and a half now, while Hunter and Gabbi’s daughter was eight months. “And my godson, of course.” I beamed, thinking about her chubby-cheeked baby and how the top of his head smelled like heaven. “So, I’m fine. I’m the cool aunt, you know?” The one who would swoop in with presents before leaving for another exotic trip.
Except… why did that life feel empty now? Why did I feel so hollow inside?
“That’s a lot of denial I hear there—” Hannah teased.
“Shut up,” I muttered. I picked up my drink, taking a long sip, when I could literally feel the energy in the bar change.
Like all at once, everyone had quieted.
“Woah,” I said, turning my head towards the door at the sight of two bulky, muscular cowboys who’d just entered. Thanks to the brims of their hats, I couldn’t quite make out their faces. “Is that?—?”
2
mason
Giddy Up, the local cowboy bar, wasn’t exactly my idea of a good time, but my buddy Jonah had asked me to get a beer, so here we were.
It had been over six months since I’d moved home, but sometimes it still felt like I was an outsider. I was back in Montana to stay. This was home. I loved it here—the way the air was crisp and fresh. The feeling of riding my horse across our property, with the air whipping through my hair. Being able to wear my hat and boots without the city girls looking at me funny.
After all, I’d been born and raised on the ranch. It was about time I took over from my parents. They were both getting older, and after the last ten years in Washington, it was good to be back.
Tugging my hat off, I ran my hand through my dark hair as I stared up at the old, shoddy exterior. Jonah, standing at my side, was wearing a pair of dark-wash jeans and a giant grin on his face.
“Remind me why we’re here again?” I asked as he opened the door.
“We’re getting a drink,” he answered seriously.
I resisted rolling my eyes. Sure, I was thirty-six, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t find him completely ridiculous. “But why here? There’s so many other bars in town.” Bars that weren’t full of tourists looking to score a real-life cowboy. I’d had enough of that at the ranch.
My friend grinned. “It’s line dancing night.”
That’s when I realized the bar wasfullof women. Women who stared at us like we were their next meal. I groaned, turning back to my friend. “No.”
“Yes.” His look was downright roguish, and I knew he’d played me.
“Jonah—”
“It’s been a year since your divorce was finalized, man. It’s time to move on. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a nice girl here tonight?”
“I need a beer,” I muttered, moving over to the bar and waving down the bartender.
What Ididn’tneed right now was a wingman. Or to find a woman.
I was perfectly content with my life the way it was. Even though sometimes I craved companionship and a warm body next to mine. Not that I’d ever admit it. I looked at my bare ring finger, where I could almost see the ghost of a ring. The reminder of my failed marriage. It had been a year since I’d taken it off, and yet I still felt the weight of it on my skin.
Fuck, I was a mess. I was still trying to get my head on straight.
After the bartender slid my drink over to me, I brought the glass to my mouth, taking a long pull.
My eye caught on a brunette leaning against the opposite end of the bar. Gorgeous curves. Long silky brunette hair that would look perfect wrapped around my fist. I couldn’t see her face, butdamn. She was talking to a redhead, holding an old-fashioned glass in her hand.
A girl with taste. I liked that.
