Page 16 of Cherry Tree Ranch

“Friends,” I interject.

Cash eyes me, shifting his weight. “Uh, right. Friends.” Wyatt’s gaze hovers for a moment on the flowers, as if confused, then he looks back to me. “I’m in town because my dad’s paintings are in the art show tonight. Are you going?”

“Not tonight,” I say. “Do you or your dad want to buy some cherries?”

“So this is what you’re doing now?” He lifts a jar. “Can’t say I’m one for cherries. I’m more of a peach guy.” He winks before looking back to his dad and giving him a one sec gesture. I wonder if I’m understanding and turn my gaze to Cash, who’s clearly not impressed with Wyatt’s comment.

“We better get over there.” He steps away and then turns back, tapping two fingers on the table. “You still on the old track group chat?”

“Not sure,” I say.

“I’ll look. We should get together while I’m here.” He gives me a toothy smile and tilts his head to Cash. Then a flash of curiosity crosses his face. “Oh, and are you still going to CU in the fall?”

“Not right now. Maybe some day,” I say.

“That’s a shame,” he says at the same time his dad calls his name. “OK, see ya.”

I find Cash’s eyes, but his smouldering gaze makes me feel vulnerable so I quickly look away, plucking a loose petal from one of the dahlias.

“That was a blast from the past,” I say, my cheeks blooming with heat.

“The good kind?” he asks speculatively.

“Not good or bad. Weird is all.”

Cash tips his head. “So you’re not going to college?”

I rearrange some of the cherry jars to busy my hands. “I’ve got a ranch to run.”

“Wait, you’re running the ranch?” Cash asks, mouth slightly agape.

“Yep. Grandpa left it all to me. I had to decide between college or staying here.” Cash nods slowly, his shoulders seeming to relax. “Losing Grandpa was horrible, but living on the ranch is a dream come true,” I admit with a smile. “I promised the ranch I would take good care of it, if it takes good care of me. So, that’s what I’m going to do.”

His smoulder from before melts into an easy smile, brightening his dark eyes. “That’s great. Go for it,” he says, and straightens. “Well, I better get back.”

I feel a sudden tug to draw him back, even for a moment. “Don’t forget these!” I say, holding the flowers out after him.

He holds my gaze. “Keep ’em.”

“Really?” I ask, thinking he was probably taking them to his girlfriend. “You don’t want them?”

“They’re yours.”

Then he abruptly walks away, and inexplicably my heart feels like it’s being pulled in his direction by a taut thread – like I felt at the rodeo, but stronger this time.

I shake myself and take a photo of the dahlias with my cherries as a background for Lani.

It’s going well. Found out about a cool competition I could enter! Also, guess who came to my booth!!

Who??

The mysterious cowboy and our high school crush.

What?! Both of them?

Yeah … Cash was helping his mom and Wyatt is in town for his dad’s art show. He’s going to look up my number apparently.

As he should! I think you need to check out some “art” after the market.