Page 36 of Barn Burner
He presses a kiss to my lips, and I slide my tongue into his mouth. Our kiss is unhurried. Just slow and savouring. When he pulls back, he wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me to him. I lean my back against his chest, and we continue to watch the sun rise over the mountains.
“Look.” Jesse points toward the lake. I follow his gaze and let out a loud gasp. There’s a moose at the edge of the lake, drinking from the still water, and right next to her is a calf.
“Holy shit,” I whisper, even though I’m sure they won’t hear me from all the way up here.
He squeezes my waist and kisses the side of my head. “You finally got to see your moose.”
Resting my head back against his shoulder, I let out a choked laugh and allow the emotions of the last few months to wash over me.
The pressure and expectations placed on me by the fans and the media.
The heartbreak at losing the Stanley Cup.
The endless media articles and comments questioning my worth and my place on the team.
My car breaking down and feeling like the world was against me, to finding this man who picked me up and breathed life back into me. Who showed me kindness without limitations. Who showed me something I didn’t know I needed.
I wish I could stay here forever, nestled in this tiny corner of the world among these mountains. This land.
This man.
But I can’t. Because his life is the ranch, and my life is hockey, and in a few days, I need to report to training camp.
A month ago, I came to Huxley Creek Ranch feeling lost, needing somewhere to ground myself in order to move forward, but in doing so, I uncovered a big part of myself that I discovered in the process.
And I’m pretty sure having to say goodbye to Jesse, no matter how temporary, is going to be the biggest loss I’ve experienced so far.
Part Two
October
15
Jesse
“Are we watching the game tonight?” Rhett asks over his shoulder as we wash down his horse, Ivy, who was caked in mud by the time we returned to the barn.
It’s been raining for most of the day, so I’ve been out in the fields helping my dad and Rhett. I’ve just finished rinsing Prince down, but with Ivy being grey, it’s like she attracts the mud more because she’s covered.
“Yeah,” I say gruffly. “Cooper mentioned something about having beers and hot dogs.”
He snorts. “Of course he did. I swear, if he isn’t sleeping, he’s thinking about food.”
I hum in agreement. Our youngest brother eats more than the animals combined.
“I can’t remember the last time we got to catch a game. It definitely wasn’t last season,” he continues, scrunching up his nose. “It’s probably why they lost the Cup.”
“Yes. A professional hockey team lost the championship becausewedidn’t watch a single game.” I huff, giving my brother a droll look as I use my palm in a downward strokeagainst Ivy’s leg to squeeze the water from her hair. “Come on now, Rhett, don’t say you believe that superstition shit.”
His answering laughter tells me he’s trying to wind me up, and I roll my eyes.
“How’s Brayden doing?” he asks, and I’m thankful for the change in subject.
“Good. He’s been busy the last few weeks with work. Travellin’.”
“When are you going to see him again?”
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly, returning my attention to Ivy.
