She looks at me like she knows there might be more, but she doesn’t press.
“Well, like I said, he’s a good one. In case you were wondering.” Her smile is a little bit smug. Grabbing a business card off the counter, she flips it over, writing in tiny, cramped numbers on the back. “If you need a friend, let me know. It’s hard starting somewhere new, even if for a little while. And me and Sadie are always looking for friends to have over for dinner or whatever.”
Taking the card, I slide it in my pocket. I may need a friend or two, after all.
Promising a return Monday, I take off down Main Street toward Mable’s to grab dinner. What else is there to do in this town?
The view out my window Sunday morning is grey and cold-looking. I’m so anxious to have my car back, so I can, at least, range a little further than my legs will carry me. I haven’t spoken to Cash in a few days, but I know he’s busy with the ranch. I decide to send him a text anyway, just to say hi.
I hope it’s not too cold wherever the ranch is. It’s awfully grey in town.
I include a selfie of me sitting up in bed, hair in messy waves in a giant sleepshirt with a band logo on it. Climbing out of bed to get ready for another day of boredom, I pull on a comfy sweater in bright pink with ‘Crystal Coast’ written on it. I got it a few years ago, before things with Roger got bad. It makes me think of my carefree self, when I thought bad things only happened to bad people. Sliding on black leggings, pink crew socks bunched at my ankles, and tennis shoes, I feel ready for the day. I guess the pink theory is real. For the first time in years, I want to wear pink again.
My phone dings in my room while I brush my teeth.
Grumpy Not-Cowboy
Hey, I have to run down to Roundup to pick up some supplies. I figure you might be going stir crazy by now. Wanna ride along?
Surprised it’s Duke and not Cash, but over-the-moon excited to go anywhere and do anything outside the four-block radius I’m stuck in, I answer immediately.
Yes, please.
Grumpy Not-Cowboy:
I’ll be there in 15.
One thing I can count on with Duke—succinctness. My phone vibrates in my hand again. This time I see Cowboy Cash flash across the screen.
Cowboy Cash:
Wow. And I thought the view out here was a good way to wake up.
His attached selfie is him, cowboy hat pulled low, long sleeve work shirt tight across his chest, sitting on the back of Daisy. One hand holding the reins and his strong thighs gripping the saddle. I think I lose my train of thought momentarily.
I tap my chin, formulating the perfect response.
Funny how one picture can make a girl want to go for a ride.
I grab my bag and head into the hallway to meet Duke. It takes Cash a few minutes to respond.
Cowboy Cash
You’re going to be the reason I fall off this horse, woman.
Be careful, we need you in one piece, Cowboy.
Cowboy Cash
I’ll take you riding darlin’, just gotta figure out which kind you mean.
I send him a smiley face; I have to keep the mystery. I rush down the stairs and out the front door just in time to see a big black old square body Chevy pull up to the curb. Beautifully restored, it looks brand new.
“Good morning, Grumpy Not-Cowboy. That’s what I saved you in my phone as. In case you were wondering.” I see just the slightest twitch of his cheek and a thrill of victory thrums through me. Drumming his fingers along to the radio, his posture is relaxed.
“Good morning, Caroline. I put you in as Caroline.”
I burst out laughing at his response as he shifts into first gear, pulling into the street.
