When I pull back, he pounces on the sad look in myeyes, going into overprotective brother mode. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I force a smile. “I’ve just really missed having you around. It was hard on all of us when you left, and it’s nice to hear you don’t hate all of this, all of us.”
“I could never hate you.” He pulls me in for another embrace. “I was just young and curious, maybe even a little stubborn when I left. It had nothing to do with you or Mom or Dad.”
“I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that,” I mumble against him.
“I’m sorry it took this long for me to say it.”
“Have you thought about coming home?” Hope floats inside of me. Everything I’ve been dealing with lately would be easier with my big brother around again.Gosh, I’ve missed him.
“I can’t come back.” He turns his eyes down.
“Why not?”
“I left so abruptly. People were counting on me. It’s one thing for me to come back and visit, but I definitely can’t move back here just because I’m having some sort of quarter-life crisis, not after what I did.”
“No one cares about how you left anymore. We just want you home again.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not in the cards for me. I’m sorry.” Setting his carton on the table, he straightens up a bit. “I’m trying to be better though. I’m calling home more and making family a bigger priority. I don’t want to hide everything I’m going through from the people I love anymore, and it feels good to talk to you now.”
I gulp, his words striking a chord.I don’t want to hide everything I’m going through from the people I love anymore.It feels good to talk to you now.Meanwhile, I won’tadmit that I need help with the ranch or that I’m dating my brother’s best friend, but my whole life has been spent hiding to keep everyone else around me happy.
Maybe there’s a way to have more balance, but I don’t know how to get there yet, so I keep my mouth shut, instead wrapping my arms around Charlie’s neck. “I’m proud of you. I’ve missed you so much, and I need you to know that if you ever stop being so stubborn and decide you want to come home, I’ll be here to support you.”
He gives me a soft smile. “Thank you.” When he pulls away, he gently punches my shoulder as he adds, “I love you.”
I can tell from the punch that I got too sappy for him. Maybe Charlie isn’t quite where he wants to be yet, but he’s definitely opening up more than when he left this town.
While brushing my teeth, I type out my to-do list for tomorrow on my phone. I should create some pamphlets with information about regenerative agriculture and what it will mean for our ranch and Roots. I also need to print out an updated pricing guide for our products and maybe I should try to stop by the general store on the way over to the festival to get some cute Christmas decorations for the booth.Gosh, I’m going to need to get up earlier than I thought.
A wave of exhaustion rolls over me, but I power through and keep adding to my list because what else am I going to do? The work needs to get done, and it’s important to me, the ranch, and my family.
I put my toothbrush away and inhale a deep breath, closing my eyes as I do so. My ringtone brings my eyes openas I grab my phone off the bed next to me, checking the screen and expecting to find Jax’s name. Instead, it’s Olivia’s contact photo.
I answer hesitantly, sitting on the corner of my bed. “Hello?”
“Hey! I’m sorry for calling so late. We’re at the vet right now with the puppy you got along with so well at yoga.”
“Oh no. Is she okay?”
“She will be. There was an incident.” A dog barks in the background. “She’s going to need some stitches, and we need to find her a foster home where she can recover, preferably one that doesn’t have other dogs she’ll want to play with, so my house is out of the question. I thought maybe you’d be open to taking her?”
I pick at a stray thread on my bedspread. I can’t fathom taking on more responsibility right now, but how am I supposed to say no to my friend and this poor dog?
“Of course I’ll help out. What do you need from me?”
“They’re going to keep her in the hospital overnight, but maybe you could pick her up tomorrow after the festival? She’ll have the stitches in for two weeks. Once they’re out, we can take her back at the rescue, unless you want to keep her.”
The hope in her voice only adds to my building overwhelm. I can’t believe I’m adding take care of a puppy to my never-ending to-do list.
“Two weeks sounds manageable.” I try to keep my voice even.
“Thank you so much! We’ll provide you with food, a bed, and all that fun stuff. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Sounds great.”
When I hang up, there’s a light tapping on my window. Jax’s smiling face is peering through the glass. He’s alreadyin a plain white T-shirt and gray sweatpants, his eyes light with joy and a hint of mischief.
