Page 2 of Rancher's Healing

“Yeah, the girls were at my mom’s for the day because I was at the clinic. I thought she went to the city, so when I ran home for lunch, her car was there with Jason Ryan’s parked beside it.” The scene replayed in my head like it was yesterday. Should I tell her or stop talking? My brain screamed at me to shut up, but when had I ever listened to that?

“I tried to come up with every excuse imaginable for why he was there. As I opened the door, those sounds were unmistakable.” Letting my voice trail off, Tayla scooted closer to me.

She set the drink on the tailgate and looked at her hands. “I threw up.” Her slight shrug pulled me back in time, but I pushed that night out of my head and waited for her to continue. “I was in shock, I guess, but when I opened the door of the trailer, I saw everything. Then she asked him if she was better than me, and I was sick. Even the slamming of the door didn’t stop them. She laughed, and he moaned as he came.” She picked up her drink and hurled it onto the asphalt. It made a thumping sound, and the soda that was in it splashed all over the road.

“What’s wrong with me, Jake? Am I that unloveable?” Tears dropped from her eyes, and I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to me.

“There’s nothing wrong with you.” Absentmindedly, I kissed the top of her head. What the hell did I do that for? She’s going to think I’m an idiot.

“What am I going to do?” she whispered.

“You’re going to drive the next ten miles with your head held high, march onto that ranch, and tell them you’re back. Nobody needs to know why right now. That’s for you to tell when you’reready.” The woman beside me was a shell of her audacious self. “And when you need someone to scream at, you call me.”

Tayla gave a laugh as she finally relaxed and quit crying. “I don’t deserve to have you as a friend,” she said quietly.

“Sure you do. Just because the timing for us wasn’t right doesn’t mean we have to hate one another.” We sat in silence after I said that. There wasn’t a lie in what I said. We’d been good together, and I wouldn’t deny that at one time the woman I pictured in my life, being the mother of my children, and who I was going to grow old with was her. But medical school and barrel racing were our downfall.

Tayla glanced at her watch. “I suppose I should get going before it gets later, and I’m sure whoever’s waiting at home for you will be getting anxious.” She sat straight and took a deep breath.

“Nobody at home, Tayla, hasn’t been for a long time.” The air was thick around us, and I knew I shouldn’t have said that. She’d just had her heart ripped out, and here I was trying to make a move. What the hell was wrong with me? “I’m going to follow you to the ranch in case you have more trouble.” I climbed off the tailgate, and she followed me.

“I don’t know how to thank you for this.” She said as I opened the driver’s side door for her to get in.

“Well, I should be the one thanking you. You provided the drinks.” Her eyes glittered with laughter instead of tears, and I was content with this being the outcome.

The thought of not seeing her again made me blurt out, “Hey if you need a job, I could use a receptionist. Mom’s retired, and I haven’t hired anyone. I’m sure my nurse would rather do her job instead of answering phones.” I leaned against her open door. As I watched her, I could almost see her brain working as I swatted a mosquito and walked to my truck.

“When do I start?” She called out to me. When I turned, I saw her grinning face.

“Monday, eight-thirty. I don’t like tardiness.”

“Oh I know, Doctor Gordon. See you Monday.” She waved, and I went to climb in the truck. “And Jake? Thank you.”

Tayla pulled away, and I followed her to the road that breaks off to the ranch. Speeding up, I pulled alongside her and waved. Sadness still painted her face, but it was lighter than when I first saw her.

Tayla Miller was home and working for me. What was I supposed to do now?

CHAPTER TWO

TAYLA

Pulling to a stop in front of the barn, I watched The Five walk out, staring at the truck. They all looked at one another as they approached. I took a deep breath, knowing it was time to face them. It wasn’t like I could spin the truck and massive trailer around and run away again.

Reaching for the door handle, I remembered what Jake had said. I held my head high and got out of the truck.

“Tayla?” my brother, Kipp, said as he moved to where I stood.

“Hey, brother. Mind if I come home?” He stopped mid step and frowned. Great, that wasn’t the reaction I was looking for.

“Welcome home, Tayla. How many animals are in that trailer?” Griffin, one of my brother’s business partners, asked as he walked on the opposite side of the truck. Lincoln and Ryder waved as they walked.

“Thanks Griff, there’s three.” He nodded, and I heard him open the latch for the gate.

“Home for a rodeo?” Kipp asked, moving closer, followed by my brother-in-law Nash.

“No, for good, if I’m allowed.” I looked down at the gravel and kicked at a larger stone.

“Welcome back.” Kipp’s voice was light, and I looked up, seeing his smiling face. He opened his arms, and I walked into his hug. It was too much, and I couldn’t hold back the tears. Kipp tightened his grip, and Nash’s hand pressed on my upper back.

---