I head into the barn and begin cleaning up, otherwise, I know Melanie will be in here after everyone has gone, no matter how late it is. It doesn’t take long before I have company. Miranda joins me with Joy right behind her.
“Trying to show me up?” Miranda teases with a crooked grin. “I barely made it in here before my mom could squawk at me for watching the guests work.”
I huff out a laugh. “Since when do I count as a guest?”
“Any time they catch you helping when I’m not.”
Flashing me a smile, she heads to the other side of the barn and gets to work. Joy helps as well, and it isn’t long before the large area is cleaned up. A twinge in my shoulder lets me know I probably overdid it setting up, so I cross my fingers that Melanie doesn’t want the tables moved back tonight.
When I step out of the barn, I find the rest of the guests have trickled out, leaving just Joy, Tate, and me. Tate is engrossed in conversation with Roger, and Melanie appears to be relaxing for the first time tonight. I throw my hand up in a wave, so I can excuse myself. Being around Miranda, along with a large group of people, was one thing. I’m not so sure about such an intimate group.
Melanie waves me over, and I look at Miranda to give her an excuse, but her eyes look so damn hopeful, all the excuses leave my brain. Instead, I turn back toward Melanie and give her a nod before walking in her direction.
“You weren’t trying to sneak off without your payment, were you?” Melanie asks, her eyes gleaming.
“Payment?”
“Yeah. For helping out,” Roger says from behind me.
I turn around to find him suddenly there, holding up a bottle of bourbon and a plastic cup. My eyes linger on the label before I look back at my friend. It’s the good stuff.
“I have to drive,” I protest weakly.
He shoves a partially filled cup into my hand. “Oh, please. It’s one drink.”
I sink into the seat beside his. When Miranda claims the one beside me, I try not to pay attention to her every move.
“You get cleared to compete?”
I try not to flinch at Roger’s question. “No. It’s not looking good for this season.”
Sipping my drink, I nearly choke when Miranda reaches out and touches my forearm. Her warm touch and the soothing burn of alcohol encourage me to go on. “They want to avoid surgery. So, yeah. I’m at least out for the season.”
“Sorry, man. If you need any more help at your ranch…” Roger offers before trailing off.
I do little more than grunt in response. The last thing I want is for anyone to feel sorry for me. Yeah, it fucking sucks, but there are worse problems out there. I’ve got plenty of help around my ranch, and I already know I could come to Roger if it came down to it.
Miranda removes her hand, and I immediately miss the comfort of her touch. This is only the second time I’ve repeated the news my doctor delivered. At least I’ll have the new bronc riders to focus on. I take comfort in knowing I won’t be stuck at home with nothing to do but think about everything I’ve lost.
Roger looks at Miranda and back to me before sitting forward in his seat. “You said you have plenty of help on your ranch?”
I hesitate. “Yeah?”
Roger looks between Miranda and me once again before he leans back in his chair. “I might call you to ask you a favor.”
Even though I get a feeling there’s something I’m missing, I trust my friend, so I blindly agree. I’m loyal to a fault. There isn’t much a friend like Roger could ask that I would say no to.
“What about you?” I direct my question to Miranda. “What have you been up to?”
Miranda glances from her dad to me, and I worry she’s going to say she met someone. That would be great news, but I’d be lying if I said it wouldn’t devastate me. For the millionth time, I remind myself that I can’t have her.
“Well, nothing really. I’m at Boulder Ranch for two months. Then I’m moving.”
I swear my jaw nearly hits the floor. Miranda. Moving. She’s lived and worked around here her entire life. Moving is a big deal. I’m surprised this is the first time I’m hearing about it. From the firm set in Roger’s jaw, he isn’t happy about it either.
“You’re moving?” I ask after a long, uncomfortable silence.
She once again shifts in her seat before finally leaning forward and stretching her arms toward the fire. “Yeah. That’s the plan.”
