Page 8 of Live, Ranch, Love

“Believe me, there’s a lot more to running this place than just throwing hay, I had no idea. Plus, the head rancher is actually Mr Hensley’s grandson and is super grumpy, so I don’t think you’d wanna deal with him.” I can’t stop my eyes from rolling just thinking about Wyatt and the cheek he spoke to me with.

Sofia’s face lights up. “Wait, the head rancher is like, our age? Oh my God… is he hot?”

“Sofia…” I groan.

“That’s a yes!” She lets out a cackle, tipping her head back and spinning in her chair. “So, you’re telling me that you’ve moved to a foreign country for a few weeks, newly single, and there’s a mysterious, hot cowboy down the road? I actually hate you. You’re living a movie.”

“I’m really not. Besides I’m certain he hates me.”

“Whatever.” Sofia winks with a grin. “Anyway, I think I’m gonna try to finish this off at home. Just wanted to check in and see how things were going. Hope you find some inspiration to write, and maybe a cowboy to ride. Miss you, love you.”

I shake my head, unable to conceal my chuckle. “Miss you and love you too, so much.”

Sofia blows me a kiss through the screen before hanging up.

I write her question into my notebook and dot a few bullet points beneath, ready for any ideas that might come. The cool breeze coasts along the lake and whispers through my hair, coaxing me towards the water. Perhaps a dip will clear my head, and then the ideas will come flowing. I tip toe along the rocks to the water’s edge.

Sofia was right, really—I’m so lucky to be here. Sunset Ranch feels like a movie, just like it always did, and maybe this is my opportunity to have my main character moment. I always thought I was already having it—my career was advancing every day, the money in my bank account growing, my health and fitness at their peaks, and I was in what I thought was a loving relationship. It felt like the happy ending of the film. In the beginning, I’d started as a shy, insecure girl, and now I’ve blossomed into a successful, confident woman.

But maybe that was the prequel.

Maybe this is the start of my movie and I’m being given the chance to be reborn again. I just don’t know how the movie is going to pan out, and that scares me.

Either way, I’m going to make the most of being here at Sunset Ranch. If it’s my last chance to enjoy this place, what’s left of Auntie Grace, then I’m going to run and dive into the water, not timidly wade in. And when a butterfly crosses my path, that’s exactly what I do.

***

I floated in the water for longer than planned, but I couldn’t remember the last time my body had felt so light in the past month. Once I convinced myself out of the lake and wrapped myself up in my towel, I actually managed to get some ideas down in response to Sofia’s dilemma. I remember feeling that panic when everyone else around you seems to have their future sorted, whilst all you can see is hundreds of paths ahead, unsure which one to take.

It took time to build up the success I have now, and my parents required a lot of convincing when all my friends were getting jobs lined up for graduation, yet I was snapping selfies and writing blogs about my favourite manifestation techniques.

But I kept running Auntie Grace’s reminder through my head—do it for you, not them—just like she did when she moved out to Colorado. That kept me going, because your life isn’t your own if you always care what others think.

Damn, there’s the Rory Jones I know.

Maybe that lake has special healing properties, because as I finish sunbathing and slip my sundress over my head, I feel revitalised. I’m ready to sort out this ranch, reset, and get back to reality.

On the way back to the main house, I decide to stop by the guesthouses where the decorators and plumbers are working today, to check in on progress. When I walked up to the lake this morning, all their trucks and equipment were outside, yet now they’re all gone. There’s no way they could be finished already. I know I took the scenic, longer route back, but when I check my watch it’s still early afternoon.

Confused, I mosey inside, noticing that hardly anything has been done. Wooden panels are scattered about and some of the sinks still don’t have taps, which I specifically remember one of the plumbers saying he was going to fix today. When I check, my phone is still on, so it’s not like there was a problem and anyone called—which they should’ve done, as I made sure to give my number to all the contractors yesterday.

I march back out, phone still in hand as I scroll through my contacts to find the number for the decorators. I hear shouting in the distance and whip my head up to see three people on horses, one of them now galloping down towards me.

As he comes into view, I realise it’s Wyatt. Thick, corded muscles tense as he rides, his light-brown skin slick and glistening in the sun. My pulse quickens, and when he slows his horse down as he gets closer, Wyatt knocks the brim of his hat up, bringing his chiselled face into view.

There’s something so annoyingly sexy about the way he looks, high up on his horse, shoulders relaxed and confident as he saunters along. Just like when he leant against the fence yesterday, goading me.

God, Sofia would have a field day if she saw him right now. Masculinity literally pours off him, and my mouth is so dry, I wonder if he’s what I need to quench my thirst.

Jesus, Rory. It hasn’t even been that long since you last had sex, why are you thinking these things?

“Hey,” I squeak out.

“All good, Princess?” he husks, and for once that name hits me in a whole new way.

I have to stop myself from gawking when he slings his leg over the horse and jumps off so casually, muscles rippling under his jeans. Wyatt ties his horse up before turning to me and leaning against one of the posts outside the guesthouses, arms folded. For the first time, I notice his forearm is covered in a tattoo that looks like a mountain range.

Ignoring the fuzziness in my stomach, I offer Wyatt a polite smile. “Do you know where the contractors have gone?”

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