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He snorted once. “Not the same thing and you know it.”
“True…” I mumbled, my voice fading away. “By the way, I have to ask something.”
“What’s that?” he replied, looking at me as the solemn air faded away.
“I was told that you guys are forced to move away and not allowed to return until you’re successful. Is that true?”
A crooked grin spread across his face. “Sort of. It’s a tradition in our family to move away when we turn eighteen and graduate high school to experience something else the world has to offer than just the lifestyle we were raised by. It doesn’t matter what else it is, but we have to accomplish something. Once we do, then we have the option to return back to the ranch and continue to work and live here, or not. My dad was the only one of his siblings to even return to the ranch. Remington found he enjoyed a little more of the indoors. I joined the Army to pay for my degree in Agriculture Business. Pearl left and learned to be a hairdresser before coming home and marrying Cash. Cassidy learned to be a welder professionally, not just the crude stuff we were taught growing up.”
“How long were you gone for?” I asked. The bravery that came from joining the military did not surprise me after watching him run straight toward a bear.
“Three years.”
“You finished your degree in three years?”
He nodded. “I took some college online before turning eighteen and finishing school.”
“And you were homeschooled right?”
“Yep. All of us were, and all of the kids now are, too. It allows us to stay on the ranch and help while still receiving an education.” He shifted the shotgun across his body.
I turned towards him, crossing my legs that were becoming numb. “I also heard you somehow made a butt load of money while gone.”
He chuckled. “Smart and lucky investments that paid off and continue to do so.”
“Man, my life sounds way less interesting than yours does,” I mumbled under my breath, and then laid back against the frozen ground, slowly making a snow angel. When I sat up, he smiled at me and went to reply but was cut off by the roar of several engines. Emerging from the trees across the meadow were two Razors and a four-wheeler.
Cassidy and Butch were sitting in the first Razor, followed by Jeb and the sheriff. Sitting on the four-wheeler was someone from Fish and Wildlife because there were legal things to deal with when killing a bear like this. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but it hadn’t been this.
Either way, we proceeded to give statements and explain what had happened with both the sheriff and the game officer, traced steps and checked weird things, making sure it was all in self-defense. I was utterly exhausted by the time I’d found a moment to myself. Weston was speaking with Jeb and the two professionals over by the bear’s carcass while I leaned against the Razor.
Cassidy wandered my way, his hat casting an eerie shadow across every carved feature of his face. Strong line, the perfect set of dimples with proportionate features.
“How you holding up?” he asked, coming to stand beside me.
“I’m alright. Not sure if it’s settled in quite yet that I was chased and nearly attacked by a bear, but it’s fine.” I chuckled to myself.
“We could talk about it over dinner or something?” he replied with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Like a date?”
“Of course a date. We have to fix the disaster of the last one that our parents sprang upon us.” Cassidy grinned, his lips pulling wide and thin. An attractive smile that had won him every girl he’d ever desired. Except for me. It was nice to look at, but that was it.
“I really need to just focus on my dad and work, Cassidy.”
“Then why are you out here with Weston riding in a sled?” The smile fell quickly from his face.
“It’s not like that. I was here for some work and Keaton invited me to stay for a bit. I didn’t have any more appointments, so I thought why not.” I pushed off of the Razor and kicked some snow.
“I get it,” he said sharply, and I looked up at his face, confused.
“Get what?”
“You like Weston, that's why you refuse me.”
“We are just friends,” I answered sternly, annoyed he couldn’t take a simple no for an answer.
“Does my brother know that?” Cassidy raised an eyebrow.
