“Why?”
She blinks at me, finally answering after opening and closing her mouth several times. “It’s time for something new. I’m twenty-six years old, and nothing has changed for me since I graduated high school. Clearly, whatever I’m looking for isn’t here. So, it’s time I live my own life. Start someplace new.”
“What are you looking for?” The question is out of my mouth before I have a chance to think about it.
“I’m not sure. I’ll know when I find it.”
Her answer is vague, yet I know exactly what she means. It’s easy to know that something is missing. It’s more difficult to pinpoint exactly what it is. And even if I’m not actively searching for a missing piece, as I look around, I know it’s out there somewhere.
Chapter 5
Hayden
“These boys are killin’ it,” Tate says as he leans against the gate beside me.
We’re nearly one week into bronc riding school, and it’s gone better than I expected. I’ve helped out here and there in years past, but this is the first time I’m formally here as a coach and instructor. I expected it to be all work, but I’ve honestly enjoyed every single day of it. And on top of that, things have been okay between Miranda and me. Even better than at her parents’ party.
“I feel like I’m hustling you out of money,” I say with a laugh. “I’m not even doing anything. You’re paying me just to stand here.”
Tate laughs. “You know how it is. Kids are always on their best behavior the first few days of school.”
I laugh along with him because it’s true, even though these “kids” are teenagers and young adults. When I was a kid, we had to wear our nice school clothes, and ourparents checked our homework during the first few weeks of school. But then it didn’t take long for us all to lose interest, and everyone’s true personalities eventually came through. Even the parents stopped caring after a while.
“This really is a special group of guys. And from what I’ve seen, the bull riders are doing an amazing job, too,” Tate says.
“Yeah, it’s going to be a good season.”
Tate returns to his place closer to the chutes, and I watch their form from outside the gate for the remainder of the session. These young guys really are doing great. As the third rider gets ready in the chute, Miranda joins me. She’s done this enough times the past few days that I’m no longer surprised by it. I’m just glad my first instinct isn’t to run any time I encounter her, like it used to be.
“They’re looking good,” she says from beside me. “Good job.”
I laugh. “That’s not me. I’ve barely had to do anything besides give encouragement.”
I do my best to ignore what her laugh does to me. I should be easier on myself, considering I would have to be blind not to see how attractive she is. Fortunately, we are adults and seem to have finally moved past whatever those moments of weakness were.
“Did my dad call you?”
Something about the way she asks that question causes me to turn to face her. Tate is inside the arena, so I tune them out as I focus my attention on Miranda. Her hair is pulled up in a messy bun with stray strands framing her face. Gorgeous as always. She smiles hesitantly while she waits for my response.
“No?” I say as more of a question.
“Oh. Okay. Well, I’d better get back in there then.” She turns to walk away, but I grab her arm before she can get too far.
“Wait, hold on. Why is Roger supposed to call me? He mentioned something about it at the bonfire, but I haven’t heard from him.”
With a shrug, she slips out of my hold and makes her way back to the stables, and all I can do is laugh. Even when my focus returns to the student in the arena, I’m counting down the minutes until I can call Roger and find out what the hell Miranda was talking about.
“Pay attention to your feet, Jimmy!” I shout when he comes barreling out of the chute.
He doesn’t acknowledge me, but his feet move in time with the horse’s movements like we’ve been talking about. I look down at my stopwatch and call out when it’s time. Jimmy jumps off and celebrates his entire way out of the arena, and there’s no fighting the tug of a smile pulling at my lips as pride brews inside my chest.
Making my way into the arena, I stop beside Tate as he gives his final remarks. I’m more than happy to let him take the lead. I’m only here as an afterthought. But I’m living for the progress these boys are making. I shouldn’t call them boys when they are young men, with most ranging between sixteen and nineteen. As someone without kids, this is a completely new feeling. Giving advice and training and then watching as they follow it and grow.
I watch in silence as the guys put the bucking horses back into the stables and get the arena cleaned up. More pride fills me as they do everything without needing to be told. The sun is beginning to set behind the trees, taking with it the heat of the early spring, and the cold makes my shoulder ache. I’m beyond ready for the summer. I’d rather be hot than stuck out here feeling like I’m a hundred years old.
I’m pulling my phone from my pocket before I even hit the parking lot. Miranda didn’t look worried enough for her dad to have found out what almost happened between us. Roger picks up on the second ring, before I’ve even figured out what I want to say.
“Were you supposed to call me or something?” I ask without preamble.
