Page 6 of Home Is Where You Are

She had no idea. Her brothers were still angry she’d left in the first place, but especially since she’d come up with excuse after excuse to not come home during her breaks.

“You’ll see,” was all I replied. Let her stew for the next couple of hours. It was the least of what she deserved.

She groaned at my response and laid her head on the seat. I could tell she wasn’t looking forward to what she had in store upon her return, but she’d have to get over it. She did this to herself with never coming home.

“Can’t wait,” she whispered, her head now rested on the window, her arms wrapped around her body like she was trying to hold herself together.

Looking over at her, she appeared a shell of the girl I once knew.

She might not be excited, but I couldn’t wait. Watching her see her family for the first time in four years was going to be priceless. Especially since I knew just what was in store for her once we arrived.

three

AINSLEIGH

Alittle while into the drive, I pulled my phone out of my pocket to keep my hands and mind busy. I clicked on the email notification I’d been just about to read before my day had gotten upended.

Unfortunately, my day went from bad to worse. The formal email thanked me for my time, but the company had decided to go with another candidate.

Great. Just great.

I withheld the groan that threatened to escape because I didn’t need Gentry being nosy and asking questions. Not that I’d answer him or owed him any explanation. Now my plans had officially been derailed, and I needed another option. One company I hadn’t heard back from yet. Hopefully they would get back to me with better news than what I’d just received.

I typed a professional response and settled my head against the seat, hoping I could get through the rest of the drive with the same silence that consumed the cab of Gentry’s truck.

My phone vibrated in my hand, and I turned it over to see if Aspen or Dylan had messaged me, only it was Kyle again. In the weeks since I’d walked in on him at his fraternity house, he’d messaged me relentlessly. At first I read the messages. I was a masochist that way. Then I just deleted the messages as they arrived. I had nothing to say to him.

I swiped to delete the text and turned my phone over. I couldn’t handle seeing whatever it was he had to say along with being back home and in the truck with Gentry. I also didn’t want Gentry or anyone else seeing the name on my phone and asking questions. As far as anyone knew, I returned home because I hadn’t been able to find a job. No one knew about the reason Kyle and I broke up, and I wanted to keep it that way.

Two hours passed quicker than I thought they would. Being stuck in a vehicle with the man whose heart I’d broke was awkward, but remaining quiet for the rest of the drive allowed me to conjure up so many situations of what I’d walk into once I entered my family home.

The wrought iron gate I knew so well came into view. The beautiful cursive C and R was the ranch’s signature and on every piece of merchandise we sold.

Courtright Ranch.

A place I’d proudly called my home.

The dude ranch had been in our family for generations and had grown exponentially over the years to a family resort lodge. Our home was on one side of the property, separated by a beautiful picket fence; the other side housed cabins and the main lodge, which housed suites and common areas where guests could relax and enjoy movie nights and video game tournaments. In the middle of the vast land was the clubhouse, where we hosted all the meals and encouraged guests to eat together in a family-style setting. The clubhouse also housed a store where we sold our merchandise and delicious treats the locals made. We had activities for children of all ages ranging from zip lining, guided hiking tours, scavenger hunts, horseback riding, hayrides, and a community pool for families to enjoy. Horse stables flanked both sides of the property.

The metal of the gate creaked after Gentry entered the security code into the keypad.

“Wait,” I said as I reached out and grabbed his arm, instantly regretting the familiar spark as the warmth of his skin seeped into my hand.

He stopped the truck and turned toward me, his head cocking to the side as he waited for me to elaborate on my need for him to not drive through.

“I need a minute,” I choked out, barely withholding the sob that threatened to escape.

I couldn’t break down in front of him. I couldn’t let him see that I had so much trepidation about returning home.

Everyone thought I’d healed.

And in my own way I had.

But not to the point they were expecting.

I’d seen my parents just a couple of weeks ago at my graduation, and I’d put on a brave face so they wouldn’t see the pain I still harbored deep inside.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed him staring at me for a moment longer before he eased his foot off the brake.