Mabel and Ellie left us as we got the herd into the field, Mabel refused to look at me for the remainder of the ride, instead keeping her eyes locked in place of the herd or with her daughter who was flawlessly riding through it, like she’d done it hundreds of times before.
Then again, I wouldn’t know.
I wasn’t here to see any of it.
I look at Colter back in the stable after our days’work and try to find the words to say to him. The strain in his face is almost too much for me to bare.
“Sorry I didn’t correct you this morning,” Colter breaks the silence engulfing us. I run my hand through my hair, leaning on Storm with the other.
“Hey, no need, I’m sorry I just assumed,” I say, giving him a pained smile.
“Will me being here cause more trouble for her?” I decide to be forward and ask. If Mabel’s taken and happy I won’t stand in her way and make things worse for her.
Hell, I came back here for her because I couldn’t ignore the pull any longer.
Where would it leave me if she has moved on?
“Don’t worry, Mav', it won’t,” he replies, a stutter in his voice. I look at him in the eye but see him hesitate. “It’s not my story to tell,” he says in a rushed tone before I can push further for more.
I place my hands down in defeat, but I respect the fact he has his sisters back.
Does it make me happy that me being here won’t cause her any trouble when it comes to Ellie?Yes.
Does it break my heart that there is obviously a hard story there?Also, yes.
“Okay,” is the only thing I can muster out. My mind is racing at the new information I’ve learned today.
“You coming tomorrow?” Colter asks, changing the subject of Mabel.
“I don’t know, man, am I still invited?” I ask, feeling awkward yet again.
Colter shakes his head and lets out a sigh before tilting his head back towards me. “Of course, nothing’s changed in that aspect around here, Mav,” he says, with a smile, hope sparkling in his eyes.
I place my hand on top of his shoulder. “Then I’ll be here,” I nod back at my friend. I’ve really missed the Fourth of July celebrations at this ranch.
Sure, it was fun in Cali. I’d hit the parks with some coworkers, and we would drink ourselves silly until we ended up in a bar or two, looking for someone to take away the sting of loneliness during the night.
But it wasn’t the same…
Colter’s phone ringing snaps me away from the memory of Cali and back towards him.
“Yeah?” He answers.
I watch the angerin his face as he leans against his horse.
“Fuck sake, I’m on my way,” he says rolling his eyes as he ends the call.
“All, okay?” I ask.
“No-” he starts. “Jimmy’s stalled the truck and can’t get it started,” he huffs out.
I give my friend a stern look. “Why did you hire him anyway?” I ask.
“Don’t look at me, it was my dad.” Colter huffs back to me. Mr Riggin’s loved the thought that he could save people.
“Say no more,” I laugh out. “I’ll finish up here.” I nod at him.
“Stalls from here down need mucking, I’ll be back shortly,” he says as he storms toward the barn door before stopping in front of a stable.
