Still looking uncomfortable with the crease in her brow still sitting firmly in place.
You could hear a pin drop with the tension in the air.
“So, when do I start?” I ask, trying to ease some of it.
Mabel lets out a defeated sigh. “Monday…” She nods back at me.
“You can discuss anything further with my brother seen as y’all both seem to enjoy going behind my back.” She snaps coldly, asshe straightens up in her chair, attempting to puff her breasts out.
Ouch, that was harsh.
Well deserved though, because she’s not wrong.
A lump forms hard in my throat, I place my hand across my mouth and as I rub it, I feel my stubble pricking my hand. This couldn’t get any more awkward even if I tried. I move my eyes back down towards my lap.
Damn, I must look like a naughty schoolboy being scolded at. Except this time, I deserve it.
“We didn’t-” I start, before Mabel places her hand up to stop me.
“Is there anything else I can do for you? I’ve got to get on,” she says bluntly and I take this as my queue.
I stand from the chair, before titling my cowboy hat to her. “Ma’am,” I whisper, before walking out of her office door.
I realise that I was holding my breath the moment the door shut behind me and let out one hell of a sigh.
That was intense.
I should have been more mindful towards Mabel when I accepted this job last night.
However,the buzz I was on prevented any form of meaningful consideration to anything accept I’m on my way to having my best friend back.
Even after he threw me across the parking lot.
Again, well deserved.
Pushing myself to walk away from the door, I make my way up the path back towards my truck. I take in the surroundings and the views of the Riggins ranch.
Damn, it’s beautiful, and I’ve missed it.
I spot our field in the distance.
My mind wonders back to the encounters I’ve had with Mabel over the last two days. I see the outright pain in her eyes, pain that I’d put there for so many years.
I still hearthat screamtaking over my mind.
I don’t know how I can even begin to start my apology to her if she won’t even look at me.
My mind wonders to Colter, poor guy’s going to get an earful later, no doubt again because of me.
Maybe I shouldn’t have come back?
Why do I get the feeling I’ve just made everyone’s lives a lot harder?
Looking away from the distance and back onto the path my eyes divert to a little girl skipping towards me.
She looks about eight or nine years old.Hmm,something Colter forgot to mention last night is that he’s become a dad.
I stop for a minute to look at her; she has his caramel-coloured hair.
