Page 65 of Roping My Rival
“Well, it’s hard to save chocolate. I can relate. Do you see your parents often?”
The lightness from talking about Darla evaporates instantly.
“No. They’re dead.”
“Shit, Dane. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“It’s fine. You didn’t know.”
I know he wants to ask more, but I don’t have the energy to answer him right now and change the subject.
“You said the farrier is set to come to the ranch this week, right? While we’re home?”
“Yes, I think it’s Wednesday, but I’ll check with my dad. Do you want to be there when he comes?”
“Trigger is pretty good, but I wouldn’t mind since it’s a new place and person for her.”
“I’ll check before you leave tonight. My dads should still be awake when we get home.”
The rest of our trip is Warren humming along to the music on the radio while I do math in my head and feel increasingly melancholy about getting back home. There is no home for me after this week. If you could call my single room a home.
I gave my notice before we left. This week I’ll pack the few things I have into my truck and try to find free places to sleep for as long as possible. Sleeping in Warren’s camper while we compete will feel like the ultimate luxury and I won’t even have to pay for a shower. Hunter was right when he said this job comes with perks.
Some days, it feels like I can break free of all this bullshit in my life that seemed to set off once Darla had her accident. If she wouldn’t have been hurt, mom wouldn’t have quit her job to care for her. Dad wouldn’t have gone to that damn casino in desperation to keep the bills paid. Both of them wouldn’t have died if I would have just been responsible.
But I wasn’t, and I’ll never abandon my sister.
Warren turns onto the dirt road leading to the ranch and I shake myself out of the gloom as the truck bumps along the road.
It’s early evening, and while I have my troubles, Warren seems to make me feel like anything is possible as he launches into telling me about a great field down the road that’s amazing for stargazing.
“I know you can see stars anywhere, but there’s something about that place. Maybe less light or…I’m no astrology person, but the sky feels more black, and the stars just explode. Know what I mean?”
“Maybe it’s one of those pockets where you’re in a little bubble without leaving. Like how it rains across the street, but your house is dry.”
“Yes!” he shouts with a laugh. “It’s a pocket. I’ll have to show you sometime.”
Pulling into the ranch, I don’t let the thought of stargazing with Warren Burke make me fuzzy. After he stops in front of the barn, I’m out of the truck and opening the horse trailer before Warren even gets his feet on the ground.
“You don’t have to rush.” He meets me at the back of the trailer, and I’m already between the horses and slipping a hand into Trigger’s halter.
“Not rushing. Just…” Just trying to keep myself from falling for you, and that requires space. Immediately.
“You want to get home. I get it.”
Warren steps back and lets me walk Trigger into the barn. I think he tries to get it, but he doesn’t completely. That’s only because he doesn’t know everything. The clops of Petey’s hooves echo behind me as I usher Trigger into her stall. I keep my head down and focused, grabbing a fresh pail of water for Petey while in the feed room because I’m not completely selfish.
Warren almost runs into me on my way out and I shove the bucket of water towards him. “I filled you one.”
“Oh. Thanks.”
I need to breathe air not shared with him and his lingering scent. Because he has one and I shouldn’t be surprised that he travels with a body wash that smells like fucking tangerines. All juicy and sweet and…I need space.
“Here you are, girl. I’ll be back soon, okay? You were amazing this week.” Trigger huffs and pushes me with her wet nose from drinking. “Be good.” With a final scratch to her ears, I think I’m home free until a familiar voice calls out.
“Boys? Do you need any help?”
Warren’s dad, Hunter, has entered the barn, and since he’s literally at the exit, it’s not like I can avoid him.
