“Snow Creek is like another family member. Your uncle had to leave because of his health, but you want to stay and give back. Support them as they did you?”
“Mostly. If I leave, it feels like a betrayal. I know that’s weird, but this town is…it means a lot to me, and I don’t know how I could ever leave it behind.”
“Not even for love?”
I’ve never been in love. Truly loved so deeply that I put another person ahead of my own needs. I’ve had a few relationships, but they were short and mostly unfulfilling. Leaving for love is new territory, and I have to be honest with Ethan.
“I’ve never been in love, so I don’t know.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Never?”
“I’ve liked a few people a whole lot, but I don’t think I was in love.”
“Is that what scares you about being with me for the next few months? If we fall in love, you don’t know how you’d deal with it?”
Again, Ethan just gets it, and I nod. “Mostly, but also…I kind of want to know what it’s like to find someone like that. Someone I don’t want to live without and can’t stop thinking about. It might be devastating, but I don’t want to miss out on a chance. I’m pushing myself to take the risk, Ethan. I like you. So much.”
That’s the truth. I like him and enjoy everything about him so far. Nothing about us should work long term, but I want to enjoy our connection. Just once, I want to take the risk like Uncle Albert said and not live with all the what-ifs forever.
Ethan’s knee bumps against mine under the table. “I like youtoo, Colt.”
“So, you’re okay with just…doing stuff together, then?”
Ethan smiles. “Naked stuff? Absolutely.”
My cheeks burn as I laugh. “That’s not what I meant, but I suppose that’s part of it. I meant dating, I guess. As much as our jobs allow it, anyway.”
“Are you asking me to go steady?” Ethan laughs until he falls against me, and I join in.
“Don’t make fun of me. Do you know how hard it was just to say all this to you?”
Ethan’s laughter cuts off, and he squeezes my leg. “I do. I’m sorry. I just?—”
“It’s okay. We needed a laugh. It’s one thing I like about you. You make me feel lighter.”
He makes me feel a lot of things, but that’s the easiest one to name.
“I’m glad.” He checks the time on his phone and sighs. “I should get back. I promised a kid in the youth group I’d take photos for them tonight. A cowboy fashion show, apparently.”
“That sounds like something Kaspar might have arranged.”
“Kid with the blue hair? Has an accent?”
“Yep.”
“I’ll let you know how it goes.” Ethan stands. “Walk me to my Jeep?”
“Of course.”
When we reach his Jeep, Ethan cups my face with his hands and kisses me before pulling away. He drops a kiss on my nose before stepping back. “Thank you for tonight, Colt. Text me later?”
“Okay.” I laugh as he climbs into his Jeep. With a final wave, he pulls out and heads to the ranch.
Walking along the sidewalk, instead of going straight home, I detour into the park and skip rocks along the riverbank until my arm gets too sore.
Another weekof constant trail rides and fishing guides ends with a rained-out Friday.
We rarely cancel trail rides, but the thunderstorms and torrential rain make it not only unenjoyable but unsafe.
