Page 21 of Live, Ranch, Love

I’m not good when people cry. Growing up, we were always a just got to get on with life kind of family, not a sit and dwell on your feelings one. I think it’s why I always go into solution-mode when people are upset, wanting to figure out how to make them feel better so the emotions stop.

Yet, even though I most certainly do not want to talk about it, suddenly I’m asking, “Do you want to talk about it?”

Aurora sniffs then turns, furrowing her brow. “To you?”

I should be insulted, but I totally get it. I wouldn’t want to talk to me about how I’m feeling either. Especially if I was Aurora. Even if tonight has eased out some tension, it’s not like we’ve got off on the best foot. Which, I will admit, probably hasn’t made her feel better.

Hey, maybe I’m not so bad at this empathy thing after all.

“Yeah, come on.” I cock my head and she follows me around the deck to the back of the house.

Tentatively, Aurora shuffles onto the swing beside me, dragging the blanket left there around her. The dim porch lights cast a golden glow over her, making her cheekbones shine and hazel eyes sparkle. She crosses her legs under her and then lets out the longest sigh. I didn’t realise such a small person could hold so much air in their lungs.

“I’m Colin Firth,” she admits. “And a massive failure.”

I blow out a breath, partly because I’m incredibly thrown off by the Colin Firth comment, but mostly because the whole massive failure thing rings a little too close to home. “Well, there’s a lot to unpack there.”

She lets out a hoarse laugh, puckering her lips as she glances up at me. Since we sat, she’s been leant slightly forward, not fully relaxed into the seat, but now she slumps back, the swing moving with her.

“Let’s start with the Colin Firth thing.”

Aurora smothers her face in the blanket. “I caught my boyfriend cheating on me.”

Oh damn. Okay, maybe she isn’t living the cosiest of lives right now like I first thought. I’m starting to feel even worse for being such a dick. Especially since I’m the poster child for heartbreak, so I know how awful she is probably feeling.

“Well, that’s shit.” It also explains the guy disappearing from her Instagram. “What’s that got to do with Colin Firth, though?”

Her head shoots back up. “You know, like how he gets cheated on in Love Actually?”

“Never seen it.”

“What?” Aurora’s jaw drops. “It’s one of the best Christmas films like ever. We will simply have to watch it.”

I frown. “I was kind of hoping you’d be gone by Christmas.”

When Aurora’s mouth pops open again, I immediately regret saying it, because it was actually said in jest, though I doubt she would think that.

But then she jabs me with her elbow and laughs. “Um, rude. That’s not going to make me feel any better.”

I hold up my hands. “Okay, sorry. Please, Colin, do continue. Tell me why you’re a massive failure.”

Aurora narrows her eyes at me, mouth curving. I might not be that good at comforting people, but I’ve had her smiling multiple times already, so I’m taking it as a win.

“Ugh, it’s just that I feel like I’ve built this whole career for myself on helping people to create happy, successful, fulfilling lives. I write social media posts and articles and books on attracting healthy relationships, on feeling positive all the time, on being your best self… Yet, now my life is a complete sham.” The words are coming out her mouth quicker than I can keep up. But I don’t miss the way her shoulders are also loosening with each sentence.

“Jake cheated on me, I’m only just starting to feel inspired to write again now I’m here, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with my life if I can’t keep up with this wellness stuff, and the mean girl in my head that I’ve worked so hard to quieten is suddenly louder than ever. I feel like I’m questioning myself all the time because I’m feeling sad a lot since Auntie Grace died, when I pride myself on being a happy, positive person. All this work I’ve been doing to have a great life, what I tell others to do—it’s a complete lie. I’m a complete lie.”

Aurora’s almost out of breath by the time she’s finished. She hunches over and buries her head in her hands again. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this is a little deeper than I usually care for.

“I guess dealing with a grumpy rancher hasn’t helped either,” I add, attempting an apologetic smile.

Her head flops back up with a raspy giggle, and I get a strange rush from making her smile like that. From pulling her out of whatever hole she lets herself spiral into. Her wide hazel eyes stare up at me, almost with too much hope behind them—like I might be the one with the solution she’s been desperate to find.

I scratch my head, settling my arm along the back of the swing. “Look, no offence, but I think you might have actually been lying to your followers this whole time.”

Freckled nose crumpled, Aurora’s eyes then ignite with fire. As sunny as she may seem, that feistiness is always waiting just around the corner with her. Like the first day I met her.

And I like it. That’s the real Aurora, I can just tell. Sweet and strong. Like my favourite kind of whiskey.

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