“You knew it wasn’t the moment we left town. Don’t act like you didn’t recognize where we were going fifteen minutes ago.”
“I was hoping that I was wrong.”
“Come on, Tilly. Don’t you miss the place? Don’t think about this as you coming here for a job, but really so that you can see the horses again.”
I swat my brother’s hands away and dig my elbow into his stomach. He backs up a few steps, groaning.
“This is the last place I want to visit, Ash. The horses here will just have to be left to suffer.”
“I’ve already talked to Jed on your behalf. They were expecting us fifteen minutes ago.”
Seething, I scrub a hand down my face. “You’re such a dick.”
“For trying to get you a job doing something you love? Yeah, sounds real dickish,” he mutters, reaching forward once again.
This time, I don’t shove him away when he reaches to undo my seat belt. It flies up my body and into place behind my shoulder before I slowly climb out.
I’ve done a fantastic job of ignoring the ranch when we were driving up the road, but now that we’re here without anywhere else to look, that’s impossible. It’s like going back in time, but instead of being reminded of the happiness I would get from coming here, all I feel is dread, knowing that it means I’m once again in close proximity to Rowe.
After our little spat in the rodeo parking lot last week, I’m not entirely interested in going for round two.
It’s a real shame that his home is so beautiful. It’s one of the most desirable pieces of land in Alberta, and his parents have done a great job of increasing that beauty over the last decade. From the new trees planted alongside the paved road winding through the property to the upgraded exteriors of nearly every structure I’ve seen so far, it’s clear they’ve dumped a shit ton of money here.
The last time I was here, they were only just planning where they were going to put the modular homes for the long-term staff. A ranch this size should have its own vet living on-site, so if they still have Katie, I assume she’s living somewhere on the property.
I shouldn’t be so curious. Why would it matter to me how many trainers work and live here now or if the cabin up past the stream is still empty. Who cares? Not. Me.
“Jed hates me, Ash. Unless you bribed him with something, I doubt he’d willingly offer me a job here,” I say, pulling myself together.
My brother shuts the door behind me. “He doesn’t just hate you. That douche hates everyone.”
“Oh, I’m not nervous anymore, then.”
“You have the job from connections alone. I doubt he’s even going to be around to talk with us. We could probably just stop the first wrangler we see and ask him to get us the keys to one of the trailers if you want.”
“Mm, that would be great, actually.”
Ash grumbles something under his breath that I don’t catch before taking me by the elbow. We move up the road and to the worn, dirt path leading up to the ranch house.
The screen door rattles with the breeze, clapping shut every few beats. Ash snags it and holds it open for me to go inside first. I immediately shake my head, digging my heels into the ground.
“Really?” he asks bluntly. I shrug. “You’re unbelievable sometimes.”
With a smug smile, I say, “Surprise.”
My brother ignores me and takes the lead. I kick my boots off and follow slowly. My socks droop down my ankles and bunch at my toes, the material thick enough to cushion my steps.
“You don’t have to sneak in like a naughty adolescent,” Faye Carrigan says, her voice smooth like expensive whiskey.
I almost jump out of my skin and spin toward the kitchen archway. This house is the furthest from open concept, and I swear I can feel the wall behind me breathing down my neck when I meet the waiting eyes of Rowe’s mother.
“I wasn’t sneaking per se.”
Her black-as-night hair is pulled into a low bun that rests at her neck, and not a single piece is lifted from her head, like even her flyways are too scared to piss her off. I should be too, but my fight-or-flight response has been malfunctioning for days now.
“You were sneaking. There’s no need to lie. Come, I’ve got rolls cooling,” she demands.
Ash hesitates for all of half a second before pushing past me behind her. The asshole knows she’s always liked him more than me.
