Page 53 of Live, Ranch, Love

“That means so much, thank you. The ranch has really given me the space to reflect and tap into that version of me.”

“On that note.” Krissy’s voice takes on a more professional edge, making me know what’s coming next. “Has it also given you the space to tap into the best-selling author version of yourself?”

“Um, well…” I nibble on my thumbnail.

“Because the editors at Quartz are asking and—”

“It’s just that I’ve been struggling to think of any—”

“—they want you to write about your ranch.”

I adjust my headphones, wondering if I didn’t hear her properly. “Wait, what?”

Krissy claps. “I think it’s a great idea too. It can be a book about how you managed the grief and heartbreak through tapping into your creativity and transforming the ranch into a retreat. Quartz says the real life example of what you’ve gone through will really sell.”

“But—”

“Look.” Krissy presses me with another enthusiastic smile. “I’d really like you to think about it. We can brainstorm after the first trial in a week’s time, yeah? I’m here to help, and together I know we’ll get another bestseller on the shelves, don’t you worry.”

I’m speechless. This was not how I expected this meeting to go. Part of me is relieved, flattered too, that everyone seems to be supporting me and the retreat, but I’m also a little overwhelmed at the unexpected interest from my publishers.

“I’ll leave you to consider it, Rory, and I’ll send you a meeting invite. Good luck with starting the retreat, I can’t wait to hear all about it!” With that, Krissy signs off, and I drop my head into my hands, staring at my laptop keyboard.

A few seconds later, another berry smoothie lands on my table, making me squeak. I whip my head up and find Wyatt towering over me, grinning. I swear the sight of him instantly loosens all the muscles in my tense shoulders. Particularly since he’s wearing a backwards cap that makes me want to melt on the spot.

He drops into the chair opposite, sipping a coffee.

“What are you doing here?” I blurt out.

Wyatt’s brows draw in. “Firstly, you’re welcome for the smoothie.” I bite my lip with regret, hoping the sweet smile I offer back will make up for my abrupt greeting. “And secondly, I was in town to pick up stuff for dinner tonight.”

Right, because I suggested he do it in the main house so I could learn more about him and his family. To take advantage of every moment I could to dive deeper into Wyatt Hensley.

“Thank you,” I say, before easing the smoothie towards me and taking a long slurp. The sudden brain freeze makes me wince and Wyatt snorts.

“Anyway, your face suggested you could use a pick me up.”

“What’s wrong with my face?”

“How much time have you got?”

Wyatt tries to hide his smirk with his coffee, which almost spills when I kick him under the table.

“Ow, fuck! Calm down, I’m only joking. There could never be anything wrong with your face, Aurora,” he says so nonchalantly with a shake of his head. When his eyes catch mine, he quickly clears his throat. “I just mean, you seemed concerned during your meeting. How did it go?”

“I don’t know…” I swirl the smoothie around with my straw. “My publisher wants me to write my next book about the ranch and the retreat.”

“And that’s a problem because?”

“It’s a bit pre-emptive, don’t you think?”

Wyatt just raises his brows.

I groan and rest my chin on my fist. “What if the retreat doesn’t work out in the end? What, I’m supposed to write a book about how I overcame heartbreak by starting up a new business venture only for it to fail? That’s not gonna sell, and I don’t like that my author career is basically riding on that.”

To my surprise, Wyatt just laughs. Then he snatches my smoothie from me. “You don’t deserve this anymore.”

“What, why?” I pout, failing to stop him.

---