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For the firsttime since I moved to Cherry Peak, I don’t head into work on Tuesday morning.
I woke to a text from Wanda this morning, urging me to take the next couple of days off, and immediately knew better than to argue, even if I could use the money. A free day means I’ll have the chance to go to the ranch and visit Banana. My first call after hanging up was to Eliza.
I’ve been to Steele Ranch nearly every evening for dinner since Brody left last week, but this will be the first time that I’ll get to play with Banana in the daylight. Eliza has done an amazing job of keeping me fed and busy the past few days—Brody’s orders, I’m sure. I think I’ve gained at least ten pounds from her amazing food and homemade cookies and muffins. My fridge is so full of Tupperware containers piled to the top with leftovers that I haven’t had to grocery shop at all.
The ranch hands rushing from stable to barn and everywhere in between don’t give me a second look as Bryce pulls up the drive to let me out. Everyone is rather used to seeing me lingering around, and that makes me incredibly happy. Even Wade has taken a liking to me, flashing me sneaky half-smiles and teaching me facts about the history of the ranch and dos anddon’ts with cattle. The knowledge has helped when it comes to Banana. I want to make sure I know how to properly care for her, and Wade seems to want to genuinely help me do that.
One thing I really still want to learn is how to properly ride a horse, but I don’t want anyone but Brody to teach me.Maybe one day.
“Text me when you need me to pick you up later. And please don’t forget to sneak me a couple of Mrs. Steele’s cookies. I swear they melt in my mouth,” Bryce moans, unlocking the car doors.
“I can get Wade to drop me off after dinner.”
“The fact you’re on a genuine first-name basis with that man will never stop being shocking to me. He’s intimidating as fuck.”
“He’s actually quite sweet when you get to know him.”
She shakes her head in disbelief. “I’ll take your word for it. But if he can’t bring you, just let me know.”
“I will. Thank you for dropping me off,” I say with a quick kiss to her cheek.
“Always. Have fun with the sweet girl.”
With a promise to send her pictures, I duck out of the car and head up the porch steps. It still feels rude not to knock on the door, so I hit it three times and wait until Eliza’s smiling face is right in front of me.
“How many times do I have to tell you to just come right in?” she asks, ushering me inside.
“Probably a few more,” I tell her honestly.
The smell of roast fills the house, making my mouth water. I reach for the heavy puffed jacket from the coat hook on instinct and hand it to Eliza. She slips her arms inside just like she has every night after dinner.
“We’ll get there, my dear. Now, I’ve been just itching to check on that sweet girl of yours all morning. I’m so glad you’re here early,” she says, her boots already on as we step back outside.
The sun is bright but not warm. According to Wade, it won’t be for a long while yet. I wonder what the weather’s like in Nashville today and whether Brody’s bundled up the way I am with his thick jacket and gloves. We spoke just before Bryce picked me up, but it wasn’t for long enough. At this point, I’m positive no phone call will be long enough. Not with how badly I miss him.
There’s an ache deep in my soul that won’t seem to ease no matter how badly I will it to. There was never a time in the three years I was with Stewart where I felt like this while we were apart. Not. Once. It’s scary, but in the best way possible.
I feel alive.
“You’re thinking about him,” Eliza says softly, walking in time with me down the path to the pasture.
“I always seem to be thinking about him.”
“It’s hard having him be away; I won’t lie and tell you it isn’t. However, there’s no better feeling than giving him a big squeeze the moment he gets back.”
I smile to myself at that. “Can I ask you something?”
The sweet woman who I’ve grown to care for so, so much doesn’t hesitate. “You don’t even have to ask.”
“When did you marry Wade? You two still look so in love, and I guess that’s hard for me to wrap my head around. My parents weren’t like you guys when I was growing up and even less like it when I got older.”
It feels incredibly unnerving to peel back my protective shell and expose my inner thoughts like this, but with Eliza, I know she won’t judge me for it. There won’t be anything but a warm understanding that I latch onto tight.
“We married when I was eighteen and he was twenty. Things were much different back then when it came to marriage, but even if they hadn’t been, I still would have married him that young. I met Wade and just knew. It was a beautiful momentthat I pray every night I won’t forget, even when my mind starts to fade.
“True love doesn’t require a marriage certificate, but I’ve so enjoyed being able to call him my husband. It’s simply another way I can consider him mine. I’m sorry you never had an opportunity to witness that type of relationship growing up.”
“My father has always had one true love—his job. I’ve accepted that, but I still hold a grudge against him for stealing my chance for me to witness a proper marriage in my most developmental years.” I pause, staring at the toes of my boots. “You know that I was engaged before I moved here, but even when I wore Stewart’s ring on my finger, I didn’t feel the excitement for my big day that I know I was supposed to feel. I understand if that maybe makes you think poorly of me.” I hate how small my voice sounds, how insecure.
