Page 18 of Perfect Guy
We ride back to the barn and find Wilder talking to Caleb. They delivered a few animals today to butchers in the surrounding area.
“You two were out?”
“We were checking the fence line,” Levi answers as he dismounts.
I do the same, petting Dakota’s side.
“All good?” Wilder looks between us.
“Yeah, there’s a couple spots that need fixing but nothing major.”
“Good to hear. Mads, you want to go over some numbers?” Wilder looks at me.
It seems as if he hasn’t read the post, but by Caleb’s smirk, I know he has. I ignore him and nod at my oldest brother. I brace myself to face my parents and hope they don’t bring Canaan up.
After our short text conversation, I’m unsure where we stand. The other night Canaan said his life was busy at the moment, but then he goes on to say things like he did today. Is he sending mixed signals, or is he also feeling what I am? It’s hard to hold back when you’re attracted to someone.
Canaan and I are working together in some capacity. If things go up in flames, I’ll lose the possibility of any future opportunities with the company. I know they’ll favor him over me, and that’s a fair choice. He’s been with the company for years. I’m just working a temporary job to get them out of a bind.
I toe off my boots outside the back door and walk into the house with Wilder. My parents aren’t in the kitchen or living room when we make it to the office. It’s a small victory, although they really have nothing to say. It’s not like Canaan is married, a murderer, or a sociopath. It’s the fact that the town is talking about it that’s awkward as hell. Why is it that no matter how old we get, we still feel like small children with our parents?
“Here’s the update on today’s sales.” Wilder hands me some papers.
We spend the next hour looking at the ranch’s finances. The two of us handle this aspect of the ranch well together. I studied architecture but have always been good at math, same as Wilder. Eventually, my dad peeks his head and checks in on us.
“Things are going well,” Wilder updates him. “We also have the two other cabins rented through the rest of summer. It’s a relief.”
“Good to hear. Summer’s usually our high season,” my dad nods.
“I also made a new contact today. A butcher out by Billings. It’ll be great if we can get his business.” I look at Wilder with pride. When he took over this ranch, he stepped into his role wholeheartedly and expanded what my dad and Grandpa before him had built.
Although the ranch was my mom’s dad’s, my dad worked it alongside him before he married my mom. When it was time to retire, my parents wanted the ranch. Grady and Jase’s parents got part of the land as their inheritance since they already had a real estate business that Grady now runs.
“That’s good news. Check in with them next week if you haven’t heard anything by then,” my dad instructs. He may have retired, but he still gives his opinion on the ranch. He can’t help it.
“Plan on it,” Wilder nods.
“Now, let’s go have lunch. We’re all hungry.” My dad taps the doorframe with his knuckles.
I was so caught up in the gossip and worry that I haven’t paused to think about food. Now that he mentions it, my stomach grumbles.
“Let’s go, monster stomach,” Wilder teases, wrapping an arm around my neck.
Lunch is calm, thankfully. My mom doesn’t mention anything until we’re done and I’m helping her with the dishes.
“I heard something…” she starts.
I purposefully take a long, audible breath. “You know it’s a gossip blog.”
“Yet there’s always some truth to it,” she points out the same way Levi did. He can’t deny he’s her son. While people can’t mistake that the three of us are siblings, Wilder and I look more like our dad.
“Well, I don’t know what you want me to say.” I’m snippy. I don’t mean to be, but I hate people talking about me, especially when it’s something that I don’t even have a clear view of.
“I’m not fully sure about your reasoning for moving back to Mason Creek. Not that I hate the decision. I love having you home.” She stops rinsing dishes and turns to me. A small smile lifts her mouth.
“I already told you. I missed home. City life isn’t all that great after all.”
“I believe it’s not, but are you sure nothing else fueled that decision? Maybe a bad breakup?”