Page 6 of Wandering in Love
Why did I come back?
I’ve dealt with heartbreak on my own before. Why now?
The front door opens, and Momma steps out, already dressed for the day in jeans, a Rojas Ranch t-shirt, and work boots. She’s pulling on a Sherpa trucker denim jacket with a thermos of coffee in her hand.
“I wasn’t sure you would still be here,” she says, hurt still heavy in the lines of her face.
“I’m staying.” The words tumble from my lips before my brain has made that decision.
“Will is looking for a stable hand next door. I’m sure he’ll hire you if you ask.”
And just like that, Momma accepts me at my word. That’s one of the things about living in a small town, everyone takes you at your word.
“Alright. I’ll get dressed and head over.” I nod.
Her brunette braid moves as she walks down the steps to the truck. She sits in the driver’s seat for a minute and looks at me. I nod my head at her, lifting my steaming mug, and she backs out of the driveway.
Even though we’re neighbors, the main house is several miles from our house. You can walk if you want too, but in the rain, in the dark, it’s not the best idea.
I finish my cup of coffee as the sun starts to lighten the night, sending yellows, purples, and pinks across the sky.
Digging through my bag, I find some broken-in jeans and a flannel shirt. Taking them with me into the bathroom, I take a shower and blow dry my hair, brushing my lashes with mascara and shove my Chapstick into my pocket. I grab a Rojas Ranch trucker hat from the peg by the door and pull my hair through the back, find my jacket, and pull on my boots. I may have left this town, but I didn’t leave my roots. I’m a country girl through and through. I wear boots more than anything else.
Dressed and ready to go, I head over to the ranch. Pulling in next to Momma’s truck, I park and take a deep breath. My heart is galloping in my chest. There are so many memories here. I grew up on this land, learned life lessons, fell in love. Before last night, it was the last place I saw Ian. I broke his heart and mine right there at those front steps.
Stepping out of the truck, I walk over to the barn. I figure if Will needs a stable hand, that’s where I’ll find him.
Will is standing with his back to me, much broader than the last time I saw him. Despite the frigid temperature, his t-shirt is stretched tight across his shoulders, the well-worn wranglers cupping his ass and thighs could make a grown woman cry. The muscles he’s gained are from hard work on the ranch, not time spent in some fancy gym. Moving hay bales, carrying bags of feed, digging post holes. This ranching business is a demanding one.
“Well hey there, darlin.” A scruffy face peaks out of a horse stall, his eyes raking over my body. If I had to guess, he’s one of the Curtis boys. I’ve never seen them with facial hair before, so I can’t be sure, but Will was close to them growing up.
With a straight spine, I walk past him.
“I know your momma taught you not to gawk,” I toss over my shoulder, feeling his eyes on my ass.
Will spins around when he hears my voice, a huge grin splitting his handsome face.
“No way!” He hurries toward me, lifting me in a bear hug, and spins me around, though he’s not much taller than my five-foot-nine frame.
“Hey, Will!” I laugh, squeezing him just as tight.
“When did you get back?” He sets me down, the happiness in his face so clear it shines in his dark chocolate eyes.
“Just last night.”
He laughs. “So you were the crazy woman in the street?”
I smile at his laugh. It’s so good to hear it.
“I guess so. They sent Ian after me.”
“I’m not surprised they sent the sheriff. You got purple hair now?” He reaches for my hair and pulls it over my shoulder.
“Ian’s the sheriff?” I vaguely remember him having a hat on with yellow letters across the front.
“You saw him, didn’t you?” His dark hair falls into his eyes when he cocks his head. He always did need a haircut.
“It was raining. Hard to see.” My cheeks heat at my lie, but I’m not admitting to having sex with his brother the first hour I was home. “When did Burt retire? I figured he would be sheriff until he died.”