Page 27 of Knocked up By the Mountain Man

I don’t reply.

Instead, I simply give him a withering look as I push past him, and get into the car. None of this feels right. How the hell are we going to get through this day?

I’m not sure we can.

12

BEAU

Iglance over at Clara, who is sitting stiffly in the passenger seat. The silence between us feels like a tangible wall, impenetrable and thick. The Thomas Rhett song did more than I had intended, stirring up a storm of emotions in both of us. Her face, though a mask of calm, carries the weight of everything left unsaid.

And there is so much that has been left unsaid.

I navigate the winding roads to the ranch we’re visiting, my mind spinning. I never thought a simple song could hit her so hard. Yet, watching her reaction, it’s clear the memories of our past are just as vivid for her as they are for me. I try to break the tension with a different song, but it only amplifies the strain.

Finally, we arrive at the ranch and Clara steps out of the car, her movements rigid and controlled. Her eyes scan the area, deliberately avoiding mine. We walk towards the barn, the air thick with the scent of hay and animals. The place is in rough shape, which is exactly why I probably do need Clara’s expertise, even if this did start as a ruse.

Clara looks around, taking in the scene with a practiced eye. Despite the cold front she’s putting up, I can see the flicker ofconcern for the animals here. She’s always had a soft spot for them, it was one of the many things I admired about her.

“This is a mess,” she says bluntly, walking up to one of the pens. Her tone is professional, detached. I can tell she’s keeping things strictly professional, and trying to maintain her distance. “If you’re thinking about buying these animals, you need to reconsider.”

I nod, absorbing her words. “I know it’s not perfect. That’s why I wanted you to come with me.”

She gives a small, almost imperceptible nod, acknowledging my admission. She steps closer to a horse, her touch gentle and reassuring as she inspects its condition. Her back is to me, but I can see the tension in her shoulders.

“You’d be taking on a lot of work,” she continues, her voice steady but cold. “These animals aren’t in good shape. The horses’ coats are dull, and they’re low on energy. They’ve been neglected. Do you know who owns this ranch?”

“Yeah,” I say, keeping my voice even. “It’s old man Thompson’s place. He passed away a few months back, and his kids are looking to sell. They haven’t been taking care of the place since he got sick.”

Clara turns to look at me, her eyes narrowing slightly. “So, you’re not just here to buy livestock. You’re considering buying the whole ranch.”

I nod, meeting her gaze. “I figured it could be a good expansion. Plus, it’s close to our land. But you’re right, if the animals are in bad shape and things are rundown, it’ll take a lot of work to get the place back on track.”

She sighs, her shoulders relaxing just a fraction. “It’s a big risk, Beau. I don’t know if you should do this.”

“Can you give me a report? Just in case Idodecide to move forward?”

She narrows her eyes at me, before nodding. I follow her around the barn, taking mental notes. Her advice is sound, and I know it will make a difference. But there’s an undercurrent of something in our interaction, an unspoken, lingering tension. She moves to the cattle next, her expression softening slightly as she examines them.

“The cattle need more space. They’re too confined here, which is causing them stress and affecting their health. It’s going to take a lot to turn this around.”

I watch her, trying to gauge her feelings. She’s hurt, that much is clear. I’ve brought back memories, good and bad. But I also see something else in her eyes, a flicker of the connection we once had. Despite the walls she’s built, there’s still a spark, an undeniable chemistry that hasn’t faded.

I guess she’s upset because of her husband, right?

Maybe she never should have married him in the first place…

Ihatebeing jealous of a man whose face I don’t even know.

“Clara...” I start, but she cuts me off.

“If you buy this ranch,” she says, turning to face me, “you’re committing to a huge project and will need to inject significant capital. You’ll need to invest in better nutrition, medical care, and proper space for them. It’s not impossible, but it’s going to be a lot of work.”

I nod, considering her words. “I appreciate your honesty.”

She crosses her arms, her eyes locking on mine for the first time since we arrived. “Just think carefully about whether you’re ready to take this on, Beau. It’s not just about the money. It’s also about time and effort and how much of it you’re willing to invest.”

Her words hang in the air, heavy with meaning. I can see that she’s not just talking about the animals.

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