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“Doesn’t seem like nothin’. Did something happen with you and Dolly? You’ve been awfully quiet about your little trek up the mountains the other day.”
I shrug, tightening the back cinch before pulling myself up onto my girl, Cinder. “It was good, and we talked a ton. I think we both said a lot of things we needed to get off our chest.”
“Good. So where’d you sleep? Because from what I can recall, the McKinley cabin only has one bedroom.”
“You’re really subtle, you know that?” He laughs. “On the couch one night . . . and in the bed for the other.”
“Oh shiiiit. So did you guys . . . ?” He gives me a look like he used to when we were teenagers.
“Come on, man, grow up.” I adjust myself on my saddle and lead Cinder out of the barn, Decker beside me. “But no, we didn’t. I don’t think it’s the right time for things. We’re both still coming to terms with some stuff from our past . . . and with opening up to each other. I don’t want to rush things and fuck it up.”
“Damn,” he whistles, shaking his head, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk like this about anyone.”
“Dolly isn’t just anyone, you know that. And you know how I feel about her.”
“Doessheknow how you feel about her?”
We head out across the pasture. “No, I apologized for my behavior, explained I’m stressed with work, and told her about the insecurity I had about wondering if I was just her last tie to Dean. I know that hurt her, but I wanted to be honest. She confided in me about some stuff between Dean and her. It was good, and I think we’re both on the same page and want to work on things between us.”
“So does that mean you’re going to be less of an asshole now and actually spend time with her again?”
“Yeah, something like that.” I chuckle. “We also talked about you and Juniper.”
“There is no me and Juniper. Would you guys just let it go?” He’s immediately flustered, and honestly, it feels nice to turn the tables for once since everyone loves to ride my dick about Dolly.
“I know, but I gotta ask: When did this little crush kick off for her? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you two talk.”
“Hmm, I think it was at her dad’s garage, but I talked to her a few times at the bar. Nothing serious, though. She was there with friends and I was hanging out with Logan and Teller shootin’ pool.”
“Now it makes sense.”
“What?” He gives me that innocent look, the same one I’ve used many times growing up to either charm my way out of something or my way into something.
“You’re so full of shit, your eyes are brown and you know it. I know how you are . . . just an innocent game of pool at the bar, huh? I saw you laying it on thick with Dolly the other night, and if I had to guess, you did the same with Juny.”
“Naaah, that was just some innocent fun. She’s too young, Range. Don’t make it weird. So maybe I flirted with her, but that’s all it’s ever going to be.”
“Just make sure she knows that. She’s young, like you said, so don’t go breaking her heart and pissing off Ron and Mary,” I say, referring to Juniper’s parents who have known us Slade boys our entire lives.
“Yeah, yeah, it’s not gonna happen.” He waves off my concern. “Besides, you should be focused on not breaking Dolly’s heart. Did you tell her about the ranch expansion during your pillow talk?”
Guilt stabs at my chest. I did mention it to her, but left out the whole part about how there’s a good chance I’ll be the one leading that expansion and moving to Texas for who knows how long.
“A little. I told her it was confidential. Didn’t go into much detail about it since we really don’t have many details ourselves.”
“Hopefully we’ll learn more at the meeting later today.”
We head out to a few of the pastures to check on the cattle and see if the cowboys need help. There are a few fences that need some maintenance, so I tend to those to keep my mind preoccupied. I’m nervous about the meeting today. I have a feeling my dad wants me to spearhead this expansion to Texas so Decker can stay behind and handle the ranch here with Tyler while taking over dad’s seat on the board. A month ago, I would have happily jumped at the opportunity, but now, my heart and head feel like they want two different things.
* * *
“Milly,sweetheart, have you given any more thought to joining the board?” My dad leans back in his chair, looking across the table at my sister sitting next to me.
“It’s not completely off the table. I’m still considering it, but I also have to think about the direction my life is headed in and what would be best for me.”
I’m proud of my sister and jealous of the fact that she seems to know where her life is going.
“Understood. Thanks for keeping an open mind about things. As for the Texas expansion, Tyler and I will be traveling down to Texas in a week to finalize the purchase of the land we’ve been looking at. Ranger and Decker, I’d like you both to stay back and run the ranch here. Logan is already down there now. I know we still have to finalize the plan on who’s going to be in charge down in Texas and who will stay behind here. Logan and Aiden will be down there no matter what, and they’ll help with the recruiting and hiring of a cowboy crew. Ranger and Decker, I want you two to sit on this for a while and talk to each other about it.”
