Page 1 of Curvy Girl and the Grumpy Cowboy

Chapter 1 - Jackson

I notice something's off with Midnight the moment I step into the barn. The mare usually has her head hanging over the stall door, eager for morning feed, but today she's standing in the back corner, flanks trembling slightly. Damn it.

"Hey, girl," I murmur, approaching slowly.

The morning sun streams through the slats in the barn walls as I check her over. There are no obvious injuries, but she's definitely running a fever, and there's a slight discharge from her nostrils—nothing catastrophic, but enough to concern me.

"Jackson?" Vincent calls from outside. "Breakfast's on. Charlotte made those blueberry pancakes you like."

"Be there in a bit," I call back, still focused on Midnight. "Got a sick horse."

I hear his boots crunching across the gravel. "Need help?"

"Nah, just a mild infection, I think. I'll need to run into town for some antibiotics."

Vincent appears in the doorway, little Lucy balanced on his hip. At five, she's the only female on this ranch who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty.

"Cedar Falls?" he asks, sounding surprised. I don't blame him. I avoid town when I can.

"Yeah," I say, straightening up. "Doc Walker should have what I need."

Lucy wiggles down from her father's arms and runs over to me. "Uncle Jackson, can I come? Please?"

I ruffle her hair. "Not today, squirt. Quick trip."

Vincent gives me a knowing look. "You know Sarah's back in town, right?"

My hands freeze on Midnight's neck, and I'm grateful to be facing away from my brother. "Is she?"

"Mmm-hmm. Came back last weekend. Probably just visiting. Thought Cole would've mentioned it."

Cole wouldn't have mentioned it. He knows better. Seven years since Sarah left for Seattle, and my brothers still tiptoe around her name like it's a land mine. Most days, I appreciate their discretion. Today, it just irritates me.

"Well, it's a big town," I lie.

Cedar Falls has exactly 3,542 residents according to the welcome sign that hasn't been updated since 1998.

"Doubt I'll run into her."

Vincent just nods, taking Lucy's hand. "Well, come eat before you go. Charlotte made enough to feed the whole county."

"I'll be right there," I promise, patting Midnight's neck one more time.

After they leave, I lean my forehead against the mare's warm side. Sarah is in town. The thought hits me in the chest like a flurry of punches. I wonder if she still wears her hair long, if her laugh still comes out as a snort when something really gets her going.

I wonder if she still hates me.

Breakfast is the usual chaos. Aaron's girlfriend Elena is teaching Ethan Spanish curse words, which has Cole laughing so hard he's choking on his coffee. Charlotte keeps serving up pancakes while giving Vincent these soft glances that make me look away. Too much happiness, too early in the morning.

"I'm heading into town," I announce, pushing back from the table. "Midnight's got a mild respiratory infection."

"Want company?" Cole offers, his bad ankle propped up on a chair.

"Pass," I say quickly. Too quickly, judging by the look that passes between him and Ethan. "Just a quick trip," I add, more casually.

The drive into Cedar Falls takes twenty minutes, most of it down dirt roads that kick up dust clouds in my rearview mirror. I flip on the radio, then immediately switch it off when some love song comes on. Instead, I listen to the hum of the tires and try not to think about Sarah.

I fail miserably.

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