Page 69 of Shattered Melodies

I smiled, shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you too, Leo.”

As we ate, the conversation flowed as freely as the sweet tea. Dean regaled us with a story about a particularly stubborn bull that had led them on a wild goose chase across the property.

“So there I am,” Dean said, gesturing wildly with his fork, “up to my knees in mud, trying to lasso this beast, when suddenly-”

“When suddenly,” Leo cut in, grinning, “he loses his footing and face-plants right into the mud!”

The table erupted in laughter, Dean’s face turning a shade redder.

“Hey now,” he protested, “I didn’t see you out there helping, Mr. Tech Wizard.”

Leo held up his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, my talents lie in the digital realm. I leave the mud-wrestling to the professionals.”

I found myself laughing along, caught up in the easy camaraderie. It was so different from the world I’d left behind.

Throughout the meal, I noticed Hank glancing at me periodically, a slightly puzzled look on his face. It was as if he was trying to place me, like I reminded him of someone but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

“So, Liam,” Leo turned to me, curiosity shining in his eyes, “what brings you to our neck of the woods? You’re not from around here, are you?”

I hesitated, not sure how much to reveal. “No, I’m not. I’m… taking a bit of a break, I guess. Needed a change of scenery.”

Hank’s eyebrows raised slightly at this, his gaze sharpening with interest.

“Well, you picked a hell of a place for a change,” Dean chuckled. “Not much goes on around here, but the scenery’s sure pretty.”

“And the company’s not bad either,” Leo added with a wink.

As we continued to eat and talk, I found myself relaxing more than I had in years. The warmth of the kitchen, the delicious food, and the genuine friendliness around the table it felt like something I’d been missing for a long time.

And as I caught Hank’s eye across the table, saw the curiosity and warmth in his gaze, I realized that while they might not know who I really was yet, maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. For now, I could just be Liam, the guy who needed a change of scenery. And that felt pretty good.

After saying our goodbyes, I walked back to my car, Peanut curled up in my arms, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. It had been a long, hard day of work, but it was the good kind of tired. The kind that came from putting in an honest day’s labor, from using your hands and your heart to make something real.

“Hey, Liam!” Hank’s voice jolted me out of my thoughts. I turned to see him striding towards me, a broad grin on his face.

“You did good today, kid,” he said, clapping me on the shoulder. “You’re getting the hang of it. Ranch life isn’t for everyone, but you’re doing well.”

I felt a flush of pride at his words, a warmth spreading through my chest. “Thanks, Hank. It’s definitely a change of pace from what I’m used to.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ll bet. But sometimes, change is exactly what we need. It has a way of showing us what really matters, you know?”

I nodded, shifting Peanut in my arms. “Yeah, I’m starting to see that.”

Hank’s expression turned serious, his brow furrowing. “Listen, Liam. I don’t want to bring down the mood, but I think you should know.”

He paused, as if searching for the right words.

“Know what?” I prompted, a flicker of unease in my gut.

“The ranch, it’s…well, we’ve been going through some tough times lately. Financially, I mean.”

I blinked, surprised. “Oh. I had no idea.”

Hank sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, it’s not something we like to advertise. But I thought you should be aware, seeing as you’re part of the team now.”

I swallowed, a sudden lump in my throat. Part of the team. The words sent a thrill through me, a sense of belonging that I hadn’t felt in a long, long time.

“I appreciate you telling me, Hank,” I said quietly. “And if there’s anything I can do to help, anything at all just say the word.”

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