I let out a short breath. “I will.” She can interpret that answer however she’d like.
I get what Mama needs from the other two stores and get in my car. Once there, I take a moment to bang my head against the steering wheel. “Stupid Zach,” I say, repeatedly working out my frustration—on my face. I stop once I feel a little better. It’s the same questions with each person. “How’s Zach? It’s so great to see you two together again. Have y’all thought about getting back together? You two were always destined for each other.”
They’re all killing me slowly.
I put the car in reverse but stop when I see that damn truck parked across the street.
Well, I’m not going to cower over here. He can see my car. I back out and see him looking at me in my rearview mirror. My heart stammers as I look back, but instead of giving into the nerves, I wave as I drive off. I don’t understand how he could say all of that and not even attempt to talk to me, it makes no sense. I literally threw myself at him. My stomach clenches when I think about the things he said. In my heart, I want all of it to come true. But I’m not the one who made a ton of promises. It’s time for Zach to decide if he’s willing to chase me.
Working at the ranch is by far not my dream job. I would love nothing more than to open a cupcake store in town, but it would last a whole day before I had twenty women bringing their batches of homemade goods to sell. But today, I get to leave the office for a change.
“Your chariot awaits, Ms. Townsend.” Wyatt bows dramatically.
“I still haven’t quite figured out why I talk to you.”
“Face it, Pres. I’m the yin to your yang.”
“You’re the shit on my shoes.”
“I’m the bread to your butter,” he counters.
“You’re the pain in my ass.”
He slaps my ass. “Now I am.”
I flick his hat off his head and climb onto the horse. “Don’t mess with me, Cowboy.”
Some emotion flashes across his face before he quickly recovers. “You know what field we’re moving them to?” he asks, getting down to business.
“Yup.” I pet the side of Shortstop’s neck. This horse and I have a deep connection. I truly believe he protected Cayden that night. The horse easily could’ve thrown him or gone God only knows where in those woods. But he allowed Cayden to guide him. “Who else is going with me?”
I get to lead the group that’s going to move the cattle from one end of the land to the other. I loved doing this as a kid. Our whole family would go out and round them up, move them, and spend the day together. Cooper is bringing the boys on the four-wheeler to the ending point.
“You’ve got a Vance, one of the ranch hands, me, and Zach.”
My eyes snap over to his. “What?”
“You know, tall, dumb, blue eyes, really bad haircut.”
I shake my head with my lips parted. If he had broken up with Felicia, like he said, I would’ve heard by now. Clearly, what he said to me wasn’t what he meant. It hurts because I trusted his word. There are still feelings lingering between us, which scares me. I don’t want to get my heart trampled, and right now that’s what it feels like.
“Don’t worry.” He shakes his head. “He’s not riding doubles with you.”
I want to throw something at him.
“Whatever. It’s a big field.” There’s no reason for me to have to see him. He can lead the cows and I’ll wrangle any stragglers. Plan made.
My family owns a lot of land, and Daddy has always believed that the cattle have to sometimes take a longer ride. Before the days of cell phones, and all the things we have now . . . we would spend days on a long move. It was our version of a family vacation. That is not happening this time. I’m not camping with Zach. Not on his life.
Wyatt laughs. “Oh, Cowgirl, one day you’re going to wake up from the dream you’re living in.”
I just glare.
I take the horse to the trailer and get him settled. It’s about a fifteen-mile ride out to where the cattle are. There’s no way the horses could handle going there and back in one day. Regardless, I refuse to set up a tent with any of the Hennington clan. I’ll find a way back home one way or another.
Our two-horse trailer is only half full. I have a pretty good idea who Wyatt is planning to load in the other spot, and who will be driving.
“Good morning, Presley.” Zach’s deep voice causes me to jump as he pops up at my window.
“Jesus!”
He smirks. “Ready for our day?”
“Wasn’t aware we were having one.”
“I figured you’ve avoided me enough. It’s nice to get out of the office.” Zach slaps the window of the truck and goes around to the driver’s side.
This is so not going to be good.
He hops in as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. I’m ready to lose it. How can he be so oblivious? How does he not think we should talk about what happened? I cross my arms and breathe out of my nose. Fine. I can play along.
“What’s wrong?” he asks as he pulls out of the long driveway.