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“It’s complicated.”
“Tell me more.”
“It’s just money, school, and I’ll have to leave the fire station.”
“So?”
Megan cradled her mug in her hands and stared into the dark liquid for answers. The exhaustion weighed on her with this decision followed by a heaping dose of guilt. “I want to be a vet, but I should be a firefighter.”
“Because of your family?”
Ha. If only he knew. “Yeah, basically.”
Troy nodded and sipped his tea. “I get it.”
Megan looked up at him. “You do?”
“Yeah. The army’s the same way. So is the ranch.”
“What do you mean?”
“Have you ever heard of Cincinnatus?”
Megan shook her head and he continued. “Ancient Rome. Cincinnatus leaves his farm to fight for the empire, but when the war ends, he goes back home and serves his family by working on the farm.
“Actually, he was George Washington’s inspiration to walk away from the presidency and to return to Mount Vernon. That action is what kept us from becoming another monarchy again. People would’ve gladly embraced him forever.”
“Really? I had no idea.”
“Yeah, in fact King George III at the time was quoted as saying that he’s the greatest man who ever lived. It takes a lot to walk away from duty and go back home.”
“Is that why you’re still in?”
“Yes and no. I like it, but I know when the time comes for me to come home and take over the ranch, that’s it. Farmers can’t travel without getting someone to come check on the livestock and tend to everything. It’s a bit more complicated than a pet sitter.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, so I wanted to see the world while I can. Serve—but now, it’s hard.”
Troy’s demeanor changed. His body was still relaxed, but his eyes stared at her floor, hard and distant.
“Why is it hard?” Megan asked in a small voice.
“It’s a family. A responsibility. It can come to define you, and then if you leave, what will you be?”
“Cincinnatus?”
Troy smiled. “I’d like to think so, but it’s hard to hang up the uniform and step back. I feel like I should stay.”
“There’s others though. You’ve done your job.”
“I know.”
“They can replace you, but your dad can’t.”
“Also true. I’d say the same to you.”
“It’s not that simple. I’m sorry. I wish I could get into it, but I can’t.”
