He swallowed past the lump in his throat, more grateful than he’d ever have expected at their forgiveness.
“So where’d you go?”
“I rodeoed for a while, but I missed working a ranch. Found a job as a wrangler out on a Wyoming ranch. Became the foreman after a few years. And I saved my money—I knew I’d come back here. I was waiting to save a certain amount, somehow thinking that would make it better when I came home. But then I got the call and, uh, came back now.”
“You think you can get this place back to profitability?” Cade asked.
“I have no choice. I feel responsible for the mess we’re in. I’m working through some ideas for immediate cash flow, thanks to Lainey’s help. And then I have bigger-picture plans, like going completely to grass-fed cattle, rebranding our beef so we can check off all those trendy boxes like antibiotic-free, hormone-free. Maybe we analyze our distribution and get a bigger presence in the local market. A lot of that was my focus on the ranch I worked at and man, were they profitable. We need to work this place with the future in mind. Maybe you and I can come up with a plan. Together,” he said, his gaze on Cade.
Cade nodded slowly. “I like your ideas, and they are all changes I think we can implement pretty soon. The cattle here are already mostly grass-fed, but if we can make it so that it’s one hundred percent and then work on branding, it’ll be worth it. I don’t have a lot of experience with the whole local thing, though. Just want to let you know that as foreman, I’m here to help. I’ll carry through the plans you have for this place. I know you have the ranch’s, the guys’, and your dad’s best interests. So if you need some extra help on the cabins, just let me know.”
Ty had not expected that. “Thanks,” he said, keeping his gaze on his friend. Tyler leaned forward, getting excited now that Cade was on board. He hadn’t known how his friend was going to react—if he was going to be defensive now that he had to share the role of foreman at the ranch. He braced his forearms on his legs. “The Buy Local movement is huge. We have no presence at stores in the county, and we should. Even local restaurants. Our beef goes out there with no branding. That needs to change.”
“Agreed,” Cade said. “Now we just need connections.”
“With the slower winter months, the timing is perfect.”
“You going to tell your father?” Dean asked.
Ty rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not exactly in his good books. Maybe Cade, you and I work out the business plan, and then we present to my dad?”
“Just watch his stress levels,” Dean warned, sounding like a doctor.
“I will,” he said, easing back in the pillows again, feeling encouraged for the first time since he’d been home. He knew it would work; he knew the plan was solid. Now it was a matter of details and hard work implementing everything.
“So what’s Lainey’s part in all this?” Cade asked.
He tried to hold back his smile. It was difficult. When he thought about her or heard her name, he smiled. This was highly unusual for him. The smiling thing. Sometimes he wondered if he’d smiled at all in the last eight years. “You ever hear of ranching vacations?”
“Shit,” Cade said, refilling his glass.
Dean laughed.
“I know. That was my reaction, too, believe me. But she might be onto something. People pay big money for this. I’m not saying I want to do it forever. It’s my version of hell, really. But we’re talking five grand for three days on the ranch.”
Cade choked on his whiskey.
Ty nodded.
“So you mean to tell me people will pay thousands to hang out with you two for the weekend?” Dean almost didn’t get the question out—he was so obviously fighting a laugh at their expense.
Ty grinned and propped his feet up on the coffee table, placing one ankle on the other. “Damn straight. Basically, it’s city folk. They want to experience the whole ranching life. Lainey said some of the ranches even offer people to do cattle drives and actual work.”
Cade held up his hand. “There’s no way in hell we’re letting people come out on cattle drives.”
“Details.” Ty waved him off. “We don’t have to do that, but it’s an option. Anyway, we’ve got the space. We have two more cabins sitting empty. In one weekend, if we rent both out, we could make close to five thousand dollars. Minus maybe a thousand for extras like food and housekeeping. Still. It’s a good way to get our cash flowing.”
Cade sat up straighter, a light in his eyes.
“So would you have to do, like, campfires and sing songs?” Dean asked, still barely containing his laughter. He’d forgotten what a shit-disturber his friend was. The professional clothes and “Doctor” before his name hadn’t changed him a bit. Ty was glad.
Cade swore again and grasped his throat, making gagging noises.
“I’m sure we won’t,” he said, partially lying. While there was no way he’d sing around a campfire for any amount of money, he would do the fire thing. That was easy.
“What about the food? We don’t have a cook on the weekend?” Cade asked. “And I can’t cook.”
“Lainey said she’d help us out to start, until we found weekend help. We were thinking we could do baked goods in the morning, that way it’s easier for her. Then something simple like stew or chili and biscuits. People think it’s cowboy food anyway.”
Cade nodded. Ty knew he was close to agreeing to this. He’d considered Cade even more of a stumbling block than his father. And if his father knew Cade was on board and that Lainey had come up with the plan, he’d warm to the idea even more.
“All right. I’m in. For a trial period. If this is too time-consuming and pulls us away from the new direction we want to take the ranch in, then I say we re-evaluate.”
“Agreed,” Ty said, leaning forward and extending his hand. “So I’ll go ahead and tell you now that we have eight women coming here next weekend. A bachelorette getaway.”
Cade swore and hung his head. Dean laughed. “I missed you, Tyler. You always had the most batshit crazy ideas.”
He grinned. “I can’t even take credit for this one, and I’m dreading it. But it’s money.”
Cade nodded, shaking his hand. “Fine. Done.”
“I’m thinking good things are going to happen soon. I’m glad you’re here.”
Cade ran his hands through his hair roughly. “You should also probably know that I never set out to take your place. I could never take your place. But I had no work. I had nothing going for me, and after you left, your dad offered me a job. I took it. I worked hard to prove to him that he’d made a good choice, taking a chance on me. I worked for years before I became foreman. But I never meant to take your place.”
Ty didn’t say anything for a minute, so many different emotions running through him. Everything Cade was saying reminded him of how long he’d been away. So many things had happened to all of them, but he hadn’t been around. It’s not like he thought time had stood still, but it gutted him. He could never get those years back with these guys. As much as he hated that they hadn’t welcomed him back or tried to see things from his perspective, he was getting a glimpse into how they viewed him and why they were so angry with him. “Thanks, man. I never said it, but I’m glad you were here. I’m glad you’re foreman. I know you work hard, and I’m happy that my dad hired you.”
Cade shrugged. “It worked out for all of us.”
“And now we get to work together every night after we finish so we can fix up the two cabins.”
Cade swore and leaned back on the couch. Tyler let out a laugh, happy that his friends were here, that they were starting over. A month ago, this might have been a dream come true for him. Except he found himself thinking of Lainey and how happy she’d be if she knew the three of them were sitting there. Of course she’d probably gloat and take all the credit for it. Maybe if things hadn’t ended so…painfully, he’d have gone over to the diner to tell her, to see her pretty face light up, and to hear her boast.
So maybe he would. Maybe he’d go over to the diner and see Lainey tomorrow.
…
Lainey knew she shouldn’t be upset. It wasn’t like she expected Ty to drop down on one knee and declare his undying love for her and reveal that his greatest dream was to get married and have babies with her. But she’d expected something. Something other than him looking at her sympathetically. Like she was just the poor girl who hadn’t had sex yet.
Walking across the empty restaurant, she slowly started taking down the chairs from the tabletops before turning the Open sign. She had a full day ahead of her. A day of nosy patrons and town gossip…which would then be followed by a trip out to the ranch. Maybe she could send someone in her place. Maybe Mrs. Busby could take dinner out. But no, she didn’t like driving at night.
Lainey poured herself a second cup of coffee and leaned against the counter, where her mind quickly drifted to lying almost naked on the couch with Tyler. Her cheeks warmed.
Last night, when she was in bed alone and cold and staring at the ceiling, she’d been pretty sure she was insane. She had never, ever experienced anything quite like Ty. It went far beyond the physical. Sure, he was drool-worthy. Sure, he knew exactly what he was doing. But it was beyond that. She’d been kissed before. She’d made out with a guy or two before, and she’d been able to end it without a second thought.
When she ended things with Ty, it had taken so much willpower. She wanted to feel his warm, bare skin again. She wanted to run her hands over his hard muscles, feel his rough stubble against her soft skin. She wanted him. She wanted Tyler desperately, and she couldn’t have him.
She hadn’t even been able to resist the pint of chocolate chip ice cream in her freezer. And really, what was the point, anyway? It wasn’t like she’d be appearing nude in front of Ty anytime soon. Just the image of his face when she told him she was waiting for marriage pretty much confirmed she would never be seeing him naked again.
“Good morning!”
Hope burst through the door, and Lainey put her coffee mug down, forcing a smile.
“Omigosh, what has happened to you?” her friend said, sitting on the stool at the bar.
Lainey groaned and automatically went to pour her friend a coffee. “Why, what’s wrong with me?”
“You look like hell. A hangover?”
“Of sorts,” she said, sliding her friend’s mug across the counter. “A Tyler Donnelly hangover. Also dairy. A pint of dairy. I may be allergic to both.”
Her friend choked on her coffee. “First, you already know those allergy tests I ran were positive for dairy, so stop pretending like you can eat dairy. Let’s move on to Ty. What are you saying?”
Lainey rolled her eyes and leaned a hip against the counter. “So I for sure have to stop the illicit love affair I have with chocolate chip ice cream?”
“Lainey.”
She pushed aside the embarrassment she’d prolonged long enough, knowing she’d never be able to keep this from Hope. “Fine. Are you ready for some early-morning tales of humiliation from your BFF that might even help you feel better about your life?”
Hope rolled her eyes. “Uh, yeah. Look at my life. I’ll take anything.”
Lainey nodded, happy to sacrifice her pride for her best friend. “Just don’t get too excited. I’m your boring friend, remember? The one who stupidly thought she should get married before having sex?”
“Oh,” Hope said, wincing and plucking a muffin from the basket. “I’m sorry. You, um, told him this?”
Lainey stared into her dark cup of coffee, knowing there was no way she should be adding cream in it this morning. She drank it black. “I did.”
“What did he say? And, um, was it at a moment where clothing had already been removed?”
Lainey covered her face and nodded. “It was so good, and then it became so bad.”
“Omigosh, what?” Hope gasped, leaning forward and grabbing her wrist.
“All of it was so good. He was…like every fantasy I ever had. Hot, Hope. I forgot everything—I was just…like, this person who got carried away in the moment. I was like a person who has sex with a hot man.”
“Wow,” her friend said wistfully.
Lainey held up her index finger. “Just wait for it. But then this little voice inside me started calling out. It was like some kind of life preserver, reminding me to get out before I sank. So, nope, I did not have sex. Not this girl. This girl remembered at the very last moment that she had this plan to wait until she was married. That’s a real date pleaser.”
Hope slapped her hand across her mouth, her eyes wide and filled with horror. “Lainey…did he understand?”
The bells on the door jingled, and the first of the morning customers came in—Father Andy.
“It’s like divine backup,” Hope whispered as the priest walked toward them. “Good morning, Father,” she called out before popping the rest of the muffin top into her mouth.
“Good morning, ladies,” he said with a smile as he joined them at the counter.
“Good morning, Father,” Lainey said, having a hard time maintaining eye contact. Thankfully, Father Andy usually took his morning coffee and croissant to go.
Lainey already had his order waiting. “Here you go, Father. Have a great day.”
“God bless,” he said, taking the bag, offering a wave, and leaving. He held the door open as more people started filtering through. Luckily, Charlene, one of the part-time girls, came in with them and started handing out menus and dealing with the tables.
“I should probably help out,” Lainey said with a sigh.
“You should probably finish your story about how you and Ty had no clothes on,” Hope demanded, leaning over the counter.
Lainey rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t that dramatic. Only a few items were removed.”
“Shirts?”
She gave her a nod then shook her head. “His.”
“Bra?”
She sighed. “I guess.”
Hope’s eyes looked like they were going to fall from their sockets. “What? What is happening?”
Lainey’s skin was itching just talking about this. She leaned forward. “Keep your voice down.”
Hope glanced over each shoulder and then lowered her voice. “Well, I’m not following. This is the biggest news you’ve had in a long time. Either of us, even. Your details are all over the place.”
Lainey put her head in her hands, spreading her fingers so she could see the diner. “Our clothes were wet. We fell in some mud outside the house, and I went back to his cabin. I showered, and he gave me a T-shirt to wear while my clothes got washed.”
“Oh wow, this is getting really good,” she said.
Lainey leaned against the counter. “One thing led to another. He’s a hard guy to resist, you know.”
Hope nodded enthusiastically. “Uh, yeah, who wouldn’t notice? So he kissed you?”
Lainey rolled her eyes and pretended like she was comfortable with this conversation. “Yes. You’re acting like we’re in high school! It was no big deal. I’m sure Ty doesn’t remember a thing. I’m sure it went down as one of the stupidest nights of his life. And I’m pretty sure he’ll be steering clear of me for a long time.”
Hope held up her hands. “Okay, listen, this isn’t really as bad as you’re making it out to be. What did he say when you told him?”
She was not going to cry. She was not going to cry. “It’s all too embarrassing to relive. And my stomach hurts from humiliation mixed with ice cream. Not a good combo.” She rubbed her belly for emphasis.
Hope frowned and fished through her purse. She put some candy things on the counter. “You need ginger, and you need to stay away from dairy—you know that. Now tell me the rest. What did he say?”
“He said he hopes I marry a great guy.”
Hope’s face fell. “Oh, Lainey.”
“I know. It was perfect. It was like, here, I have no use for you, but I hope you marry someone else who’s w
illing to not have sex until there’s a ring on your finger.”
“I think there’s more to it than that. I think he probably just didn’t know what to do. It was a shocker, for sure,” Hope said, wincing as she drank her coffee.
“You’re being nice because I look like death and because my story is so tragic.”
“That’s not true. He’s not going to stay away from you. Just wait and see.”
“Hope, I’m done with cowboys. You remember what Grandma Tilly always said about them? She was right. How many cowboys had my mother slept with? Not a single one married her.” She shook her head. “Not this girl. I’m just going to plan to never see him again. Also, I’ve decided I really need to move ahead with my painting. I’m not waiting around. I need to leave. I knew it years ago, and now more than ever, it needs to happen. I’ll just forget about Tyler when I’m in Italy.”
At that news, her friend’s eyes lit up with excitement, and she raised her cup to Lainey. “Here’s to no cowboys and lots of Italian men!”
Lainey clinked her cup against Hope’s, wishing it were that simple.
Chapter Fifteen
If Tyler weren’t so busy dreaming about sleeping with Lainey, he’d be dreaming about strangling her.
He and Cade stood side by side and stared at the eight women who were dressed as though they were going to a nightclub in the city on a Saturday night, not a weekend of ranching. “Welcome,” he called out, feeling like an idiot as they stood by their Cadillac SUV rental. It was like he was welcoming a group of aliens to his ranch.
“Hi!” a pretty brunette said, walking forward, leading the pack. “I’m Amy, and this is Elle, the bride,” she said, pulling her blond friend forward.
They exchanged small talk for a few minutes, even though it pained him dearly. It was almost as painful as pulling himself off a naked Lainey—which was something he hadn’t been able to get off his mind. He felt like the world’s biggest ass because of the way they’d ended things. He’d basically wished her a nice life. Like a jerk.
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