I lower my head to my knees and start crying. Sutton’s off her horse now and she gently sits down next to me. Athena tries to graze but Sutton pulls her head up so she can't.
“Just let her graze,” I say, sniffling.
“No, this is my good bit. I don't want her eating with it in her mouth.”
Athena isn’t giving up though, she’s as stubborn as her owner. Sighing, Sutton lets her eat the grass she so desperately wants.
“So, tell me what’s going on.”
“It’s Denton, as you already guessed.”
“Well, what did he do? Do I need to have Ryder take him to the train station?” she says, referencing a thing from the showYellowstone.
I let out a strained laugh and shake my head.
That show has made it so popular here in Montana. Everyone wants to be a cowboy now.
“He’s going on tour. It’s nationwide and he’ll be gone for a whole year.”
“Well, did he tell you that was a possibility before ya’ll got together?”
“I mean kind of. He told me about it but said he wasn’t sure if it was what he wanted anymore. But I guess now it is.”
“Did he explain why?”
“I didn't really give him the chance.”
I grimace thinking about how I just took off on him. “He said he’s going to plan it around pro rodeos so I can travel with them or him with me. I'm not really sure what the hell he is thinking but there’s no way that will ever work. I can't go rodeoing across the country. The ranch needs me, you guys need me—” She puts up a hand and stops me mid-sentence. “Sorrel, no offense, but we don’t really need you.”
“Wow, that’s rude!” I say, shoving her shoulder.
She raises her brows and laughs.
“What? It’s the truth. We have more than enough hands and you’ve always rodeoed most of the summer. You just haven’t as much this year because you've been hiding from that douchebag.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s true. But I’ve always rodeoed here in Montana. Not across the country. It would be so much more in fuel and the cost of feed is higher in other states.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Sorrel, we can afford it. You’re not getting any younger, and it’s one summer. Hell, even if you traveled with them the whole year, it’s not a long time. It sounds like a fun experience to me. I’d do it if I wasn't thirty and married with a child.”
I start crying even more thinking about being away from Trotter. Missing out on seeing him grow for one whole year. Sutton knows exactly what I’m thinking before I say anything.
“Trotter will still be here. It’s not like you can’t come home at all. You know we would FaceTime you every night if that’s what you want.”
She’s spot-on. I know she would. And I could come home if I wanted to. It’s not like I'd be forced to stay on the road.
I look at her tears still rolling down my cheeks. “Thank you.”
“You know, Sorrel, I’ve been through a lot with dating too. I’m always here for you. If you ever need advice, I’ve had myfair share of heartbreak. I just finally got smart enough to realize there was a good man in front of me all along.”
“I know. I’m so happy for you and Ryder,” I say, giving her hand a squeeze and she squeezes mine back. We hug and I wipe the tears from my face and brush the grass off the back of my pants. We both climb back into the saddle and I know I need to get back to my cabin to finish my conversation with Denton. If he’s still there that is.
21
DENTON
My heart shattered in a million pieces when Sorrel ran away from me. I didn’t know what to do next so I just waited. Part of me is frustrated with her for taking off and not letting me finish explaining everything. But I also understand why. She’s scared. I thought she might react this way, but the lovesick cowboy in me imagined it going a little better than this.
It’s been nearly an hour and she still isn’t back. I’m beginning to worry that something might've happened to her.
