She doesn't tell me not to be. Just sits with it.
"Your daddy loved this ranch so much it scared him sometimes," Mae says after a moment. "Scared him that something that good could be taken away. So he worked himself into the ground trying to prove he deserved it. Trying to earn what was already his."
My breath catches.
"I watched him do that for years. Watched him run himself ragged because he couldn't just accept that this life was his to have." She looks at me. "Don't do that. Don't spend your life trying to earn something you already have permission to want."
The words settle into my chest, heavy and true.
"I want to stay," I whisper.
Mae doesn't smile. Just nods like she already knew.
"I want him," I continue. "I want this. The ranch. The mornings and the work and all of it. I want this life."
There it is. Clean. Undeniable.
Relief hits hard. Then fear, just as fast.
Mae takes my hand. Squeezes. "Then stop being so damn scared of having it."
"What if it's too late?"
"That's not your choice to make," Mae interrupts gently. "Your choice is what you want. His choice is what he does with that."
She stands, brushing off her jeans. "But wanting it isn't enough. You have to choose it. Out loud. To yourself first, then to everyone else."
She heads toward the doors, stopping at the threshold. "Fall Classic is tomorrow. But right now, you make your own choice. Not for anyone else. For you."
Then she's gone.
I don't make the call right away. I stay in the barn a few more minutes, letting Mae's words settle.
I dial before I can talk myself out of it.
Lauren answers on the second ring. "Hazel. I was starting to think I wouldn't hear from you."
"I'm not going to accept the offer." The words come out steady. "I'm actually resigning."
Silence stretches. Then: "Hazel. This is a significant decision. You've worked hard to get here. Are you certain?"
My stomach twists. "I'm certain."
"We can extend the timeline if you need more time—"
"I don't need more time. I've made my decision."
Another pause. "I have to be honest, I'm surprised. This was a huge opportunity. VP track within two years. You're throwing away a very promising career."
"I know what I'm giving up."
"Do you? Because this won't be waiting if you change your mind. We're moving to our second candidate tonight."
"I understand."
"Hazel—" She stops, regroups. "You're talented. Don't let fear make you walk away from something you've earned."
The words land hard. Because she's not wrong about the fear. She's just wrong about what I'm afraid of.
