Second Chance at Sunflower Ranch (The Ryan Family #1)(11)

“And yet, here we are right back where we started,” he said.

“Yep, hauling hay like we did when we were kids,” she agreed as she backed the trailer into the barn. “Guess it’s tougher than we thought to get away from our roots.”

“Ever wonder where we’d be if we had stayed in Honey Grove?” he asked.

Just every single day, she thought. “There’s no use in thinking about what happened in the past. Those days are gone.”

“What about the future?” he asked as he opened the truck door.

“No use in worrying about that either. We just have today, and right now the important thing is that we get this hay stacked so these boys can collect their paychecks and knock off work by noon,” she told him.

“I’d forgotten it was Saturday,” he said with a grin. “You going to the Wild Horse tonight?”

“Those days are in the past, too,” she told him.

“Still got your fake ID?” he asked.

“Of course I do.” She didn’t tell him that she had an old cigar box with everything they had ever shared through their eighteen years as best friends and neighbors.

“Me, too,” he said.

*



Mia had already formed a hay-tossing brigade and had several bales stacked when Jesse got out of the truck and back to the trailer. “We’ve got this if you want to go on to the house and visit with Poppa.”

“Reckon I’d best stick around and earn my keep.” Jesse stepped in front of the line and caught the next bale that she threw over the side of the trailer.

Mia shrugged and shot him a dirty look. “Suit yourself.”

“You got a problem with me, boss?” he asked.

She cut her eyes over to the other side of the barn where her mother was gathering up bottles of water for everyone. “Not if you stay away from my mama. I teased her about flirting with you, but she doesn’t need a boyfriend at her age.” She bent down and whispered for his ears only.

“I’ll be living right here on the ranch. How do you propose I stay away from your mother?” he asked.

“Find a way,” Mia whispered. Then she yelled: “You guys need to hustle. I’m not paying overtime, and you don’t get a check until these bales are stacked.”

“Tough boss, aren’t you?” Jesse asked.

“Tougher daughter,” she shot back at him.

Addy brought over the water and a stack of envelopes. “Looks like you guys are going to be done by noon for sure.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said the tall, lanky blond kid named Pete.

“What are you boys going to do tonight?” Jesse asked.

“We’re going to score some beer, take it to the creek, and build a bonfire,” he answered. “Hey, Mia, you want to go with us? I’ll pick you up at seven. You can bring a six-pack of your favorite beer.”

“Not tonight,” Mia said.

“Well, you know where we’ll be,” he said. “And Ricky will be there, if that changes your mind.”

“Ricky?” Jesse asked. “Boyfriend?”

“That would be none of your business,” Mia answered.

It didn’t take a brain surgeon to know that Mia wasn’t happy about Jesse being back on Sunflower Ranch. Maybe she was jealous of his relationship with Sonny and thought he was there to usurp whatever authority she thought she had. Or maybe she had felt the vibes between him and her mother, and she didn’t want to share Addy.

Jesse had just thrown the last bale onto the stack when he caught a movement in his peripheral vision. He whipped around to see Grady coming into the barn. The doctor was wearing light blue scrubs and white shoes and didn’t have a drop of sweat on him.

“Hey, I thought y’all shut down this business at noon on Saturday,” he yelled.

“We’re almost done.” Mia jumped down off the wagon and ran over to him. “I’d hug you, but I’m a mess, and I still have to sweep the trailer and truck.”

“I’ll take care of that,” Jesse offered.

Mia turned slightly and said, “It’s my job, so I’ll take care of it. You’re finished for the day, Jesse. Go on to the house.”

Jesse downed half a bottle of water. “Not me, boss. I’m going to help Henry fix a fence that’s down.” He brushed against Addy’s shoulder when he passed by her. “See you around. Is your best friend Grady coming for supper as well as Henry?”

“Nope. He has to be at the hospital on Saturday night, but he has Sunday dinner with us,” she answered as she handed the boys their checks.

“Afternoon, Grady.” Jesse nodded as he untied his shirt and slipped his arms into it on his way out of the barn.

“Jesse.” Grady nodded back. I’m her best friend, not Grady, Jesse thought.

But that was yesterday, the voice in his head reminded him. Jesse could feel Mia’s cold stare on his back all the way out to his truck. He’d love to know what he’d done to get under her skin so badly. She hadn’t been particularly warm that morning at breakfast, but at least she hadn’t sent him go-to-hell looks or practically told him to drop graveyard dead.

Tex came out of nowhere and jumped into the vehicle as soon as Jesse opened the door. The dog sat down in the passenger’s seat, barked once, and then stared out the front window as if telling Jesse to get on with the program.