Astronomy has always been my passion. It’s the only field I ever wanted to work in, but there’s no place for it here in Cole County, unless I wanted to teach, and that is definitely not forme. Even then, it’s not a solo subject. It wouldn’t be my sole focus.
I might be smart, but not smart enough to avoid falling into Nash’s trap again.
It’s only another ten minutes before we sit at the table to eat. My mouth waters as my stomach growls loud enough that my father’s stare snaps up to me. I haven’t eaten since yesterday afternoon. It wasn’t on purpose. I’d spent most of the rodeo in the stands with Harper and her daughter as we watched the kid consume popcorn, cotton candy, a massive soft pretzel, and two hot dogs. She could put grown men to shame.
But I was also watching for glimpses of Nash. He caught my eye once, grinning widely before tipping his hat to me. We seemed fine. What changed?
I busy myself, keeping the small talk light, as the conversation revolves around the Millers and the competitors from last night. It’s almost enough for me to forget about my aching heart until my father brings up the source of the pain.
“I thought Nash was coming tonight.” My father stabs another piece of pork chop before popping it into his mouth. “Did you see him before you left?” he asks me.
My mouth goes dry, my heart hammering in my chest, wondering if they suspect that there’s something between Nash and me.
“Oh, shoot. I forgot to tell y’all. He went back to Montana,” Beckett interjects before shoveling a forkful of mac and cheese in his mouth.
And my heart sinks. “Excuse me.”
Chapter 24
Betty
“What’s the plan again?” River grunts as we attempt to hold my tiny suitcase closed, the contents spilling over the edges as if we’re going to be gone for more than four nights.
An exaggerated sigh leaves me, my head falling back in frustration. “I’m gonna ask him what his problem is.” Slumping onto the bed, I cover my face with my hands, not wanting to see the look on River’s face. “You don’t understand. We were so good for a week, and then after the rodeo, he just disappeared back to Montana. Then I found out from my brother that Nash was back in town, and they went out drinking together. I’ve gotten exactly five text messages from him in the past week and a half and not a single call.”
“I’m not the mushy type, so give me some grace here, but we’ve talked about this. You decided before it was time to let it go. Then you chose him over Ward. But, Betty, when someone shows you their true colors, believe them.” River rubs my leg with pity shining in her soft green eyes.
She’s right. He’s shown me he doesn’t care. “I just need closure, but I also really am curious about the whole breeding selection process.” It’s the truth. Since starting at Boulder Ranch, I’ve immersed myself in the ranch and rodeo world as much as I could. My mind is one that needs to understand my surroundings. The ins and outs, as well as the nuances, are all important, so I don’t let anyone else down.
River wrinkles her nose. “I really thought you just said that because you wanted to come. Gray made me watch a ‘breeding’ video, and I could have done without it.” She gags before we devolve into a fit of laughter.
That’s how it always is with us. No matter how serious the conversation, there will be good food and laughter. They say your friends can also be your soulmates. If that’s true, River is mine.
“Okay,” she pats my thigh. “I need to pee again, and then we’re out of here.”
I only chuckle as I try to zip my suitcase. It’s the second time she’s had to pee in the forty minutes she’s been here. It is the dead of summer, though, so we’re all chugging fluids like a fish out of water.
“Ladies!” Gray barges through my apartment door. I don’t even know how he got in. The door should have been locked, and the lobby requires a fob.
“Coming,” I grunt as I drag the zipper the last inch, breathing heavy.
I’m sprawled on the bed panting when I hear River giggling and the noises of the two kissing floating in from my living room. My body jerks forward as my gag reflex kicks in. How can I want to gag, cry, and cheer all at once? I’m happy for my best friend, but I miss Nash too. That had been us when we snuck moments alone together.
Get over it. It was a week, I groan to myself, shoving off the bed.
Rolling my tiny suitcase down the hall and into the living room, Gray doesn’t even pretend like he wasn’t seconds from stripping his wife and screwing her on my living room floor. Can I even fault them? They’re like love-sick teenagers, but they are exactly what the other needed.
Gray always says I’m the one who brought out River’s fun side, but he did that; I only amplified what he teased out of her.
“Is this what it’s going to be like all weekend?” My mouth scrunches to one side.
“Last I checked, you were the one tagging along,” Gray drops an arm over River’s shoulder, kissing her temple. “Breeding is not in your job description,” he chuckles.
Chewing the inside of my lip, I wonder if River told him the other real reason I wanted to come. My life forever revolves around Nash. Maybe this weekend will be the end of that.
“Fine. Let’s go.” I shake my head, rolling my suitcase past the pair.
Gray immediately takes it from my hand, lifting it by the handle and stalking through the door. It’s weird watching another man carry my luggage. You hear about chivalrous men who do that kind of thing all the time, but other than Nash and my brother, I can’t even remember a single man I dated holding the door for me.
