I didn’t respond to that. Couldn’t. I just nodded once and looked away, back toward the pen where the calf was still finding its feet.
Rowan had the good sense not to say anything as we climbed into the truck. He started the engine, turned around in the drive, and pulled back through the gate onto the county road. The afternoon light was going golden now, stretching long shadows across the pasture grass.
We drove in silence for a few minutes. Not the uncomfortable kind. Just quiet.
“Cash,” Rowan said unprompted. “Brooks told me everything that happened to you in this town and you have every right to hate it.”
I didn’t reply.
“And I know you don’t really like me, but I just want you to know that Sagebrush has changed.” He glanced over at me. “You have family here if you want it.”
I furrowed my brows, ready to tear into him for being so fucking annoying and in my business to boot. But he just held up a hand to silence me.
“I know you’re hurt and I know this isn’t where you want to be. But Brooks really does care about you and so do I.” He gave me a small smile. “And if you needed a job to start, I could always use some help at the clinic.”
The anger faded before I could rekindle it. Instead, I settled for irritation. “Are you always this irritatingly nice?” I barked.
“What’s wrong with being nice?”
“Pushovers are nice. I’m not a pushover.”
“Neither am I,” he laughed. “I just don’t like to fight as much as you do.”
“I’m not fightin’.”
“Yes you are, Cash,” he grinned, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “You’re fighting me, Brooks, Sagebrush, your own grief, and you’re fighting that pastor.”
Lightning shot through my body. “W-What the hell is that supposed to mean?!” I cried. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talkin’ about.”
“Oh, I think you do, Cash. It’s easy to see if you’re paying attention.” He glanced my way, giving me a knowing look. “And if you could see the way Mike looks at you when you’re walking away, you’d know a lot more.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, so furious I couldn’t speak. And the truth was, I didn’t know what to say. How could I defend myself against the truth? Up until that moment, I thought it was a secret. But, somehow, people had noticed. Now it seemed all of Sagebrush was talking about me again, but for a different reason this time.
“You and Brooks need to learn to mind your own damn business,” I growled at last. “I’m tired of gettin’ a talkin’ to every time I’m near one of you.”
“Then maybe listen for once,” Rowan replied, not masking his irritated tone. “And stop being such a stubborn asshole to everyone. You’ve got a ranch here, family, and a chance at something that most would kill for. And you’re going to just sell it without a second though?” He shook his head. “Maybe it’s time you started working through some of that misplaced anger. Hate your father all you want, he deserves it. But don’t take it out on everyone else.” He looked at me one last time. “And stop taking it out on yourself.”
Chapter 19
Mike
“Did you coordinate with Dolly about the tables and chairs for the fundraiser?” I asked, poking my head into Maggy’s office at the back of the church. “Beau and Lucas are letting us use their tents from the wedding so we have a bigger space, but I wasn’t sure if we needed to bring tables from here or if she already has some.”
“I’m going down there for dinner tonight, so I’ll ask her then,” Maggy replied. She was in the process of gathering up a few things before she headed home for the night. “You’re welcome to join me and my husband if you like. I know you’ve been busy lately.”
“Actually, I was thinking about cooking tonight.”
Maggy raised an eyebrow. “A pastor who cooks? That sounds irregular.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m not that helpless.”
“Our last pastor was at my house nearly every night for dinner. You would’ve thought there was no stove in that parsonage house.”
“I’m not very good yet,” I replied, shaking my head. “But I want to get better. Besides, Cash seems to enjoy it.”
“And how is our resident asshole?”
“Maggy!” I gasped. “You can’t say that! He’s a man in need.”
