If I went home to them, not only would I be bombarded with questions, I’d have to stay in the same house as them. And that was most definitely not happening.
“So, what prompted the trip home?” Jeff asked.
“Needed a change.”
“A change from city life?” he grinned. “I heard New York was good for you.”
“From who?” I asked, my voice clipped with irritation.
“You know how things go around here,” he answered. “All it takes is gossip from one person, and the whole town thinks they know what’s going on.”
“They don’t know shit about me,” I muttered.
He was about to leave, but stopped, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, I don’t want to pry…it’s really none of my business, but is there a chance you’re going back home?”
“Home to New York?”
“Home to your parents. Well, either, I guess.”
“Nope,” I answered, not leaving any room for interpretation. “Why? Hoping to get rid of me?”
“Just wondering how long a long-term rental is for.”
“Have things been that bad?” I’d heard they had to transform the ranch, and it was a shame. The Parkers had been ranching for generations. My family only survived because they were larger than the Parkers and had invested early in developments.
“It’s getting better. Pop is still pissed about the whole transformation, but he’ll get over it eventually.”
“It’s not easy to change your whole life,” I said, almost to myself.
Thankfully, he didn’t jump on the slip, only tossed me the keys. “Well, if you’re staying for a while, you probably want to get back to your roots. We just bought a brand new mare. I think you’ll like her,” he smiled.
“It’s been a minute since I had a horse between my legs.”
“Don’t tell the ladies that.”
“It wasn’t a euphemism,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“I didn’t think it was,” he chuckled. “You’re home now. Nothing gets the ladies going like a cowboy in tight jeans on a horse.” His eyes checked out my suit. “If I were you, I wouldn’t walk around town in that. You’re bound to get a milkshake thrown at you.”
“Because…” I said, not understanding what the problem was with my suit or why I’d get a milkshake thrown at me.
But he didn’t answer. He just chuckled and headed for his truck. “Give me a call when you’re ready to check out Susie. She’s a real sweetheart. You’ll love her.”
I wasn’t sure I was ready to get on a horse anytime soon. In fact, all I really wanted was to go inside and drown in my sorrows for a few days. But I knew that wasn’t a possibility. My parents knew I was coming home. There was no way to secretlymove back and have a few days of peace, so I called them the moment the plane touched down.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Hey, if you need anything, just give me a holler.”
“Will do.”
I waved him off and grabbed my things, feeling like an idiot for having such expensive luggage out here on a ranch. Then again, nothing about my attire or my taste in furnishings fit the life I once lived.
Sliding the key in the lock, I shoved the door open and immediately felt my heart drop. It was homey and warm, but it was nothing like what I had in the city. There wasn’t a single thing about who I was that fit in with this cabin.
And yet, it felt like home.
Large windows filled the walls, giving a spectacular view of the mountains. That was the thing about Montana. No matter the season, there was always a beautiful view. With only a small closet in the entrance, the house opened right up to the peaked living room with a huge stone fireplace that took up half of one wall.
