Page 52 of Don't Leave Me Behind
Like...all the way in. Not just a couple of stolen kisses, but actually into my life. Would he want that? Would it work? I’m seconds away from spiraling into a deep dive of feelings when I scroll past an advertisement for a writing competition. It takes me three tries to find my way back to it.
“Modern Ranch Life wants to hear your stories. Your successes and failures, what you do to keep your ranch going, and how you infuse new life into your business.” I stare at my screen, tugging one sleeve down over my thumb before lifting it to my mouth and chewing on the soft cotton sleep shirt. I could write about my dad, or even my grandpa. How they turned this place into an empire. There’ve been a few articles written on my family, but none from our perspective, nothing that shows the little details of how we’re still ranching on this scale.
I might be out of the loop about how things run now, but I know the stories we grew up on, and I know how it all started.
Opening my laptop, I type out a rough outline for the story of Kane Ridge Ranch.
I’m four pages deep when I hear the pounding of hooves approaching the cabin. This place is a prototype for future guest cabins. It’s an A-frame cabin; the entire front is windows that see into the front room, kitchen, and bathroom. Lucky for me, the one room that isn’t completely visible is the bedroom onthe second floor. I run a mental checklist through my head and wonder if I’ve left any clothing or shoes out for someone to see.
Shit.I hope Clay locked the door.
“This is so stupid.” I hear Toby’s deep voice.
“What are you doing here then?”
“I’m bored. Brooks isn’t here to yell at me.”
“Fair enough.” Adler’s voice comes muffled through the door. “Fuck, it’s locked.”
“Locked? Who locks their door on the ranch?”
“I don’t know? Clay? Think it’s something he picked up in the city?”
“Maybe…seems weird. Did you bring the key?”
I feel my heart jolt. Of course, there’s a million spare keys to the cabin, even if it is unofficially mine.
“No,” Adler hisses. “Why would I bring a key? It’s not supposed to be locked.”
“Jesus Christ, you dragged me all the way out here, and you didn’t even bring a key?”
I shove a pillow over my face to muffle my laughter. These two are ridiculous. God, I miss them.
“How was I supposed to know he locked it? He has to be hiding something. Do you think she’s in there?”
“Who?”
“I don’t know. Whoever he’s fucking.”
“How should I know?”
“Let’s go get the key.”
“Nah,” Toby sighs, his voice growing softer. “I have actual work to do.”
“But you just…” Their voices trail off as I hear hoofbeats moving away from the cabin. Holy shit, that was close. I reach for my phone and text Clay.
The boys were here snooping around
He Who Shall Not Be Named
Who this?
Fuck off Traeger
He Who Shall Not Be Named
Did they see you? Are we finally not hiding you?
