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“Thanks,” Sarah said, letting Cassie lead her to the blanket-covered couch.
“She also told me you broke up with Tad. You doing okay?”
Sarah looked away, glad she’d shed all her tears. She picked up a throw pillow and hugged it to her chest. “It sucks,” she said. “But I’m starting to wonder if maybe…”
“What?” Cassie sat down beside her, slung an arm over her shoulders.
“If I’m just not ready for any of this.” She scrubbed at her face and sat up straighter. “I mean, I thought I wasdoingit, adulting hard. I had my own house, my job, this incredible man, even a kid I thought I could—not be his mom, but be there, in his life. But when you really look at it, none of it’s real.”
“What do you mean, it’s not real?”
Sarah sniffled, forlorn. “My house is on Will’s land. He gave me my job. And I thought he was going to hand me the reins—control of the budget, our whole breeding program—but why would he do that? Because I won the Games?” She barked laughter. “I’m only now hearing how stupid that sounds.”
Cassie eyed her narrowly. “Who told you that? Tad?”
“He might’ve said it. But he didn’t make it true.” Sarah got to her feet. “I’m twenty-five years old, and I’m still Chickadee. That’s not an accident. It’s because I’m still acting like a kid, trading brownies and Bundt cakes for—”
“Stop that,” said Cassie. “Stop that right now.” She caught Sarah by the arms and forced her to sit still. “So, youcouldquit using baked goods to get your way, but you’re not akid.You’re smart and hardworking, more than anyone I know. Your ranch hands all love you—andnotfor your pie. You’re great with the horses, and you’re great with people. You’re a problem-solver, and you’re quick on your feet. You’ve got all that going for you, and you’re going to give up?”
Sarah stared, thunderstruck. “Are you…mad at me?”
“Hell yeah, I am.” Cassie gave her a shake. “Who do you think you are, talking about my best friend that way?”
Sarah burst out laughing, and Cassie joined in. They sank back on the couch. Cassie’s giggles trailed off first, and she turned to Sarah.
“So, how much do we hate Tad?”
“I don’t think we do.” Sarah wiped her eyes. “He said some harsh things, but so did I. And half of what made it harsh was that he wasn’t completely off base. I’ve got a lot of thinking to do, about my life, my work—and where I want to go from here.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” Cassie squeezed her hand. “And once you’ve figured things out, go to Will and get what’s yours. It’s time you took charge.”
“I think I might do that,” said Sarah. “You’re right. It’s time.”
* * *
Sarah had the ranch in her blood. That conferred certain advantages—a nose for the weather; confidence in the saddle. An unerring feel for the rhythms of the day. She knew, when the sun came up, the mice in the barn all ran and hid. She knew old Gus liked to read in his truck, mostly old Westerns, but sometimes horror. And she knew Will stopped by his study every day before breakfast—and today, she was waiting for him, standing by his desk.
“Sarah. Good morning.” Will tucked his hat under his arm. “I heard about you and Tad. Want me to kick his ass?”
Sarah frowned. This wasn’t what she’d come for. “I know you’re joking,” she said, “but I need you to understand that what happens in my love life is my business, not yours.”
Will’s brows went up. “I just meant I could talk to him, let him know it’s his loss.”
“Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. But it’s not your problem, and it’s not why I’ve come.”
Will set his hat on his blotter and pulled out a chair. “Okay, let’s sit down, then. What’s on your mind?”
Sarah sat straight-backed, hands in her lap. She drew in a long breath, let it out, and was ready. “So, I won the Games, but I’m not here to claim my prize. You shouldn’t give me the program because I served you a can of Christmas whoop-ass.”
Will made a wounded sound. “No need to rub it in.”
“Okay, that was mean.” Sarah allowed herself a small smile. “But what I’m here to say is, don’t give me control because I won the Games—give it to me because Idodeserve the program. I deserve it because I’ve worked for it, and I’ve proven my worth. Not only have I kept costs down, but by the end of next year, I’ll have doubled our profits.”
Will started to say something, but Sarah raised her hand.
“I’ve sent you my business plan. It should be on your tablet. I’d like you to look at it before you make your decision.” She got up to go, but Will called her back.
“No, wait—hold on.” He reached for his tablet and thumbed it to life. Sarah watched as he swiped through her business plan, pausing here and there to frown or shake his head. She should’ve been nervous—would’ve been, even yesterday—but today she felt calm, sure of herself. Will might have questions, but she knew she had answers.
