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Chapter 22
Tyler
“What’s Mason up to?Usually he loves to help toss hay.”We’ve been supplementing the cow’s normal diet of grass with hay.I jump out of the truck when Kent rolls to a stop at the gate, then swing it open so he can drive into the pasture.Once the gate is closed, I climb into the bed.
“Ava is swimming with him.I think that boy is part fish.But I’m grateful because after swimming, he sleeps like a rock.And I do too.”
Once I have my pocketknife in hand, I tap the side rail.“Ready.”
Kent inches the truck along.“Big plans for the Fourth?”
“Jasmine and I are going to watch the fireworks display at the county park.”One swipe of my pocketknife has the twine popping loose, and I toss hay onto the ground.
“Beau’s grilling that day.Early enough that we can all get set up for seeing the display.You should invite her.”He continues through the pasture.
I shrug, then toss another bale out.As much as I love spending time with Jasmine, I’ve been cautious about having her out at the ranch.Mainly, to avoid Dag.In my head, my rationale for not telling her about meeting her at the party makes perfect sense, but what if she doesn’t agree?
The truck stops, and I grab the rail to steady myself.“What?”
Kent gets out and walks to the back.“What gives?You don’t want her around us?”There’s no edge in his voice, just mild tease.
“Everyone at the ranch is great.I’m just not sure if...”I snap the twine on another bale and drop it onto the ground.“Dag was at that party.What if he says something that makes her realize I was there?Or makes her remember?She’ll think I was lying this whole time.”
He crosses his arms and lifts one eyebrow.
“I have strong feelings for Jasmine.Why would I risk that for a barbecue?”
“Y’all went to Sutton’s.”
“We did.But that was before I’d gone weeks, months without saying anything.”I yank off my gloves.“That’s why.”
“So if you continue dating her, you are just going to keep her away from Dag?Is that your plan?”He gives me a look similar to the one my dad used to give me when I was making a stupid choice.
“I don’t have a plan.”
“The cover-up often gets people in trouble more than the crime itself.It’s never too late to be honest.”
“But I’m not lying to her.I just failed to reveal everything.Saying ‘Oh, by the way, we met at a party, but you don’t remember.’after so long makes me look bad.And I don’t want to look bad to her.”
“At least give it some thought.It seems like she trusts you.Don’t assume that will change if you’re open with her about that first encounter.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.Now can we get a move on so that I can make it to yoga on time?”
Laughing, he slides in behind the wheel.“You going to fold yourself in half just to be a little closer to her?”
“No.I’m going to take my shirt off and carry heavy stuff.”
Jasmine takes notice when I do, and I love having her attention.
Long after he drops me off at my truck, I’m thinking about our conversation.Why keep Jasmine away if I have nothing to hide?If things go like I hope, we’ll be spending time together for years to come, and the ranch is a big part of my life.Besides, if she does remember the party or find out I was there, I’ll explain why I didn’t say anything.
If she trusts me, she’ll know my heart was in the right place.
I hope.
Parker runs for the pool,and Mason shrieks with laughter, anticipating the splash from the cannonball.Grinning as she watches, Jasmine kicks her feet at the edge of the pool, and I slow my steps, taking an extra second to admire her.
She fits right in with all my friends.Granted, she already knows several people because of goat yoga, the night at Sutton’s, and Daisy.
