The food is delicious, and we sit in comfortable silence, listening to the rain pattering atop the tin roof. It’s comfortable, as if we’ve done this a hundred times. I didn’t even realize how hungry I was until I started eating. I set my empty bowl down, slightly ashamed by how quickly I finished. He must catch my expression because he looks at me and winks as he sets his bowl beside mine. Fucking winks. I try my best to ignore what that tiny action does to my insides.
“So, what brings you to Cole County?” he asks, breaking the silence.
“That’s kind of a long story.” I’m not sure how much I should tell him. If he’s making small talk, he certainly doesn’t want to hear my life story.
“I’ve got all night.”
I let a nervous laugh escape. “Well, it’s notthatlong of a story, I guess. I just wasn’t sure if you’d really want to hear it. Basically, I was stupid and allowed my heart to get broken, and Rayna convinced me to start over here since her office needed a part time medical assistant.”
Tate watches me closely, clearly not impressed by my short version of the story. I can’t remember the last time I went on a date, So I’m not sure what’s proper date etiquette. I’m still not even sure if this is considered a date.
“I was in a relationship for nearly ten years. I thought it was serious, but he didn’t. There’s no real dramatic story behind it; he just wasn’t feeling the same way. He had no interest in things becoming any more than what they were, and I’m too old to waste time on something that isn’t going anywhere.”
Tate is silent for several long moments, and I begin to worry I’ve said the wrong thing. It may have been a while since I’ve dated someone new, but even I know ex-boyfriend and girlfriend drama is not usually a good subject for first dates. But my story was literally drama-free. Then it hits me. I probably sound desperate as hell.
“I don’t mean I’m on a hunt to get married or anything,” I rush to explain. “Just that, I don’t know…”
His face splits into a crooked grin. “You don’t have to explain, I think I know what you mean. You want something that is going to progress. That’s reasonable and doesn’t sound desperate or anything, don’t worry.”
“You got so quiet; I thought maybe that came out wrong.”
He shakes his head. “No, I was just listening to you.”
I know I saw a change in him as soon as I said it, but I don’t push. “What about you? What’s your story?”
“It’s kind of a long one.” His lips curve into a teasing smile as he repeats my words back to me.
“I have all night.”
He turns in the seat, bending a leg up and resting his arm across the back of the loveseat so he’s facing me. “I kind of have to go back a ways for my story to make sense. I don’t have much of one because the way life happened.”
Placing a hand on his leg, I encourage him to go on. He swallows hard and takes a deep breath before continuing. The rain has increased, pelting the roof of the patio and drowning out what little background noise there is out here. I can’t even hear the cattle in the distance.
“I used to ride bulls. I was out on the rodeo circuit before I turned eighteen and was pro for five years. I was the world finals event champion a few times before I quit at twenty-three. Then I’ve been running this place and looking after my brother, so I haven’t had much time for anything.”
I use one of his tactics and wait patiently for him to continue. I don’t know Tate well, but I can plainly see there’s more to it. Unless he has another brother besides Grayson, there are some major holes in his story. He brings up looking after him like he’s not a grown man. I wait him out, but he’s clearly better at this than I am. He’s silent as I study his perfectly chiseled features, from his warm brown eyes to his square jaw. It’s obvious he doesn’t plan to elaborate, so I gently push him for more.
“Why did you quit if you were doing well on the circuit? And do you have a much younger brother? Where’s he?” I didn’t plan to fire off so many questions, but they kind of just spilled out once I started.
“It’s just Grayson and me. Our dad passed when I was twenty-three and Gray was seventeen. So, I had to come back home and take over the ranch and look after him. I could have gone back out there, but as much as we argue and fight, I’m all he has. Our mom died when he was just a baby, so if something happens to me, he’ll have no one. He may be thirty-two, but he still has a lot of growing up to do. I started bronc riding at Boulder Ranch because I grew up riding there, it’s right next door, and it’s not as dangerous as bull riding. So, like I said, those things take up most of my time. I’m single. No ex-wives or dramatic ex-anythings.”
My heart breaks for him, knowing what all he’s been through. I can’t imagine suffering a loss and then suddenly having to change my entire life. I’m fortunate that the worst thing I’ve had to deal with was the person I thought I’d spend forever with not feeling the same way. It broke my heart more than I’d let on the Tate, but it wasn’t life altering.
“I’m sorry you went through all of that,” I say quietly.
Giving me a sad smile, he shrugs his shoulders. “What can you do? It’s been fifteen years, so it’s just my life now. I don’t know what I’d do with myself if I wasn’t spending my time taking care of this ranch and trying to keep Gray out of trouble.”
He makes it all sound like it’s nothing, but I get the feeling it’s just part of his tough exterior. I’m still not certain what tonight has been, but the more time I spend with Tate Garrison, the more I want to get to know what’s beneath the surface. If I haven’t ruined any chances of that by sounding like I’m hungry for a husband.
“Okay, well I should get going. I have to be at the ranch early in the morning. I had a really nice time, tonight.” I move the blanket, revealing my bare legs and reminding myself I’m sitting here half-dressed. “You mind grabbing my clothes?”
“It’s pretty nasty out, you sure you want to drive in this?”
I don’t want to drive in this, and I don’t really want to leave him. He’s easy to be around, even after the obvious change in him when I explained my breakup. It’s been so nice having a chance to relax and be myself. I don’t regret moving here, but it’s hard not to feel like the third wheel around Rayna and Wyatt.
“Yeah, I should go,” I say gently.
“I’ll get your clothes. Maybe we can do this again, without the rain.”
