Love at First Sight

by Kelly Elliott

  She slowly nodded. “Okay. If you’re sure, Chloe.”

  “I’m sure,” I snapped.

  Turning, I walked away, and instead of going out back, I headed to my father’s office. When I opened the door, I stopped in my tracks. My heart leapt to my throat.

  “Rip?”

  He glanced up and smiled, both dimples on full display. My knees went weak, and I hated myself for that physical reaction. I hadn’t seen him in months. We texted nearly every day, even if it was to just say have a good day. Seeing him tonight, though, was not what I was expecting. And I certainly hadn’t planned on running into him alone.

  “Hey, why do you look surprised to see me? You had to know I would be here for your party.”

  With a grin, I walked into the room. “Of course, I did. I’m surprised to see you in my dad’s office is all.”

  Leaning back in the desk chair, he sighed, and dropped a pencil onto the desk.

  “Your dad is trying to find an accounting error. He asked me to look at the books. I only got here a little while ago.”

  “Oh,” I said, sitting in the chair. “Putting that accounting minor to good use, huh?”

  Another smile.

  “I always did like numbers.”

  I chuckled. “And I always hated them.”

  “Glad to be home?” he asked.

  “So glad. I missed having you in College Station. I had to go for my Thursday morning coffee all alone.”

  “Why didn’t Easton go with you?”

  With a half shrug, I replied, “It was our thing. Didn’t feel right going with anyone else.”

  He nodded. It looked as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself. “Things going good between y’all?”

  I swallowed hard. “Yes.”

  “How’s it going to work with you here and him in… Is it Houston?”

  Glancing down at my hands, I noticed I was rubbing them together. Then I lifted my hand and showed him the ring.

  “He asked me to marry him last night.”

  The color in Rip’s face drained. He looked white as a ghost as he stared at the ring and then jerked his eyes to mine. “And you said yes.”

  I heard the immeasurable hurt in his voice, there was no doubt. I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Yes, I did.”

  He didn’t say anything. He simply sat there, staring at me.

  “What about you? Are you dating anyone?”

  He looked away for a moment and then back at me. “No, I’m not.” He stood. “Um, if you’ll excuse me, Chloe. I just remembered your grandfather asked me check on the barn. Make sure Patches wasn’t going to escape.”

  I stood, a wide smile on my face. “I’ll go, too. I’ve been itching to see him.”

  Rip ran his hand through his hair. “Well, if you’re going down there, then you can check on everything, and I’ll help finish setting up. I already found the mistake Steed overlooked. I’m sure Easton would like to meet Patches.”

  A wave of disappointment washed over me.

  “Okay. Sure. I’ll see you at the dinner?”

  “Yeah.”

  Rip gave me his usual parting wink. But there was definitely a wall that had been hastily thrown up between us. I watched as he quickly walked out of my father’s office.

  Turning back to the desk, I looked down at the papers. This was supposed to be my job. The job I had looked forward to since I was little girl. Sitting behind my father’s desk, helping my family run one of the largest cattle ranches in Texas.

  “Here you are! Rip said you were in here. What was wrong with him? He seemed really upset.”

  I spun around to find Alyssa. Her words rattled around in my chest. “I told him about the engagement. I didn’t want him to hear it for the first time when we announced it later.”

  “Oh, shit.”

  Chewing on my lip, I nodded. “He seemed a little surprised, but I didn’t think he was upset.”

  She snarled at me. Alyssa had never forgiven me for not talking to Rip about that day. She had begged me for weeks to sit down with him, insisting we could work through it. I had ignored her. My stupid pride getting in the way.

  “If you didn’t see him get upset, then you’re blind as a fucking bat, Chloe.”

  I rolled my eyes. “It doesn’t matter, Alyssa. He didn’t ask me not to marry Easton. He didn’t profess his undying love for me and beg me to be his as he whisked me off into the sunset.”

  “Chloe, I wish for once you would open your eyes and see what is right in front of you.”

  My mouth dropped open. “Excuse me?”

  “Do you know why Rip left Texas A&M early?”

  “Yes, he had the credits to graduate early.”

  “No. He busted his ass and took classes and then finished out online. He still needs two classes to graduate.”

  “What?” I gasped.

  “He didn’t tell you because he didn’t want you asking why he was going back home. He had to get out of there because he couldn’t stand seeing you with Easton.”

  “That’s insane. I’ve dated other guys before, and he’s dated other girls.”

  “His longest relationship was with Heather. And that was an off-and-on thing. You dated a few guys before Easton, nothing serious. Then Easton came along, and things got serious. Rip told Mike he couldn’t take seeing you with him. He had to leave.”

  I stared at her in disbelief.

  “No,” I said, with a chuckle that sounded more like choking. “He knew how I felt about him, Alyssa. If he had feelings for me too, he would have told me.”

  “You were dating someone else, Chloe. You were happy. That’s all he’s ever wanted for you. He wasn’t about to risk losing your friendship when you were seriously dating someone.”

  Turning away from her, I wrapped my arms around my body.

  “I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. I mean, you love Easton, right? You love him enough to marry him and move away. It was wrong of me to say anything. I’m only repeating what Mike told me, and after seeing Rip just now, I thought maybe you might have had a change of heart about him. Maybe you should stop and think about all of this. Chloe, I know you care for Easton, love him. But do you love him like you love Rip?”

  Staring out the window, I saw the barns in the distance. “I need to go check on Patches, and I want Easton to meet him. I’ll see you around, Alyssa.”

  As I walked to the door that led to the backyard, Alyssa called out after me. “Chloe! Wait. Chloe!”

  I kept walking, my eyes scanning the crowd. Then I found him. Easton was talking to my Uncle Cord and Uncle Trevor.

  “There’s our girl!” Trevor said, picking me up and spinning me around. He set me down and kissed me on the cheek. Uncle Cord followed.

  “Welcome home, Chloe Cat,” Cord said.

  “Thank you. It’s good to be home. Uncle Cord, Mom said Maebh and Katlyn were in Ireland.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, they went back to visit Aedin and Aunt Vi.”

  Cord had married Maebh, a woman from Ireland who moved to Oak Springs years ago to open her own restaurant. Her mother had been from the area and met her father in Ireland. After she passed away, being in Texas made Maebh feel closer to her. Katlyn was their thirteen-year daughter.

  “Easton, hey. I was looking for you.”

  Stopping by his side, I tensed when he put his arm around me. I found myself looking around for Rip.

  What in the hell? I’m going to kill Alyssa for putting that thought into my head.

  “I need to go check on the barn locks, and I really want to see Patches. Want to come?”

  “Is this your pet?”

  “Yeah. You do want to meet him? Right?”

  “Uh…sure. If you want me to.”

  I pouted, and he laughed.

  “Fine, I’ll go meet your lamb.”

  “Goat,” Cord and Trevor said at the same time. “Son, if you’re going to marry a country girl, you better learn farm animals.”

&nbs
p; “How did you know?” I asked as I looked at Easton accusingly.

  Holding up his hands, he laughed. “This one is on your dad. He introduced me to everyone as your fiancé.”

  “Ugh. Can I not do this the way I want to?” I said, almost stomping my foot like a child.

  “Sorry, babe.”

  He took my hand in his. “Let’s go see your lamb.”

  “Goat!” Trevor and Cord called out.

  “Is there a difference?” Easton asked with a laugh.

  “Yes!” I replied as I lightly punched him in the stomach.

  We walked in silence the first few minutes before Easton spoke. “I saw Rip.”

  “Really?”

  “He came up and congratulated me. Guess you told him. When?”

  “Oh, yeah, he was in my father’s office doing something for him. I ran into him there. He asked how things were going, and I told him.”

  “How did he take it?”

  Turning to look at him, I furrowed my brows. “What do you mean?”

  Easton laughed. “Please, Chloe. You can stop the whole I’m not aware Rip likes me act.”

  I jerked my hand from his. “You think I’m putting on an act?”

  He looked down at me. “Yes. I do. He was clearly not himself when he came up to me. He was pissed. I saw it in his eyes.”

  Placing my hands on my hips, I shook my head slowly and deliberately. “First off, Easton. I don’t put on acts for anyone about anything. Our freshman year of college I told Rip I wanted something more than friendship. You know this. I told you the story. He didn’t feel the same. We moved on, I got over it, and here we are today. Am I going to have to defend my friendship with him for the rest of my life, because if so, it’s going to get old really quick.”

  He looked down at the ground and kicked at something. It was then I noticed he had on loafers.

  “Why are you wearing those shoes?” I asked.

  “I like these shoes.”

  Covering my mouth with my hands, I tried not to laugh. “Easton! You’re on a ranch! You should have at least worn sneakers.”

  He rolled his eyes and smiled at me. “I didn’t realize you were taking me on a nature walk.”

  Taking my hand in his, he kissed the back of it. “I’m sorry. I really try not to be jealous of your friendship with Rip, and maybe he does simply care about you as a friend.”

  The corners of my mouth turned up.

  “Come on, let’s go so we’re not gone long. I think we’ll be eating soon.”

  When we walked into the barn, I took a deep breath. “Oh! That is the best smell!”

  Easton gagged. “What in God’s name is that smell?”

  “It’s called a barn, East. Animals live and eat here.”

  “And obviously shit here.”

  I made my way in and stopped at Patches’ stall. He was kicking at the door, having heard my voice.

  “This is my baby boy, Patches.”

  I opened the door and slipped inside. Patches was all over me, which made me laugh. When he pushed me down, Easton walked in and started to pull him off.

  “Get off of her, you idiot!”

  “Easton!” I scolded. “Do not call him that. Let him go right now!”

  “Chloe, he was…”

  “Greeting me. It’s been months since I’ve seen him. Now be gentle with him. He’s really old.”

  “He stinks.”

  Patches turned and stared at Easton. He looked ready to charge, and a part of me wished he would.

  “You should step out of his stall, East. I think you pissed him off.”

  Easton looked at me like I had lost my mind.

  “You’re joking, right?”

  When I nodded, Patches answered him with a beeeeehhhhh, and then came the charge.

  “Shit!” Easton yelled, jumping and managing to slip out of the stall without being hurt.

  Patches trotted back over to me, happy as a clam.

  “Patches, I missed you so much. I’m so happy to be home. Yes, I am.”

  “Tell me you’re not thinking of bringing him. I don’t think we can keep a goat in the city.”

  Looking up at him, I asked, “City?”

  “Yeah. My folks said they’re going to start looking at houses in their neighborhood for us and send us some links.”

  “Houses?”

  He laughed. “We are going to have to live somewhere, Chloe.”

  “You don’t want to live a little bit out of the city? Maybe on a couple of acres?”

  “No. No way am I driving in the Houston traffic to work.”

  Nodding, I kept scratching behind Patches ears.

  “And your parents want us living by them?”

  “Of course, they do. Do you have a problem with that?”

  “No. Of course not.” I’d only met Easton’s parents one time about seven months ago. We had only been dating a few months, and they came up to visit for the weekend. They were nice, but I couldn’t tell if they liked me or not.

  “Your folks do like me? Right?”

  Easton forced a smile. “Sure they do.”

  I tilted my head and gave him an incredulous look. “That was reassuring.”

  He laughed. “Probably just as much as your dad likes me. Or Gage, for that matter. Everyone just needs to get to know each other more. Once you’re in Houston, you’ll get to know my whole family.”

  “When will you get to know mine?” I asked, standing and giving Patches a long hug.

  “I’m sure we will be coming back to visit often.”

  “Christmas time?”

  He shrugged. “Every other, I’m sure.”

  Laughing, I stared at him before I said, “No. Easton, I’m not going to come home every other year for Christmas. We’re only six hours away. We can find the time to visit. We can switch off whose family we spend Christmas day with, but I want to be home for the holidays.”

  “Mom’s not going to like that. Christmas is a big deal in our family.”

  “And you don’t think it is in mine?”

  “Your family is so big. You won’t even be missed.”

  I slammed the gate shut and jerked the latch down. “Alrighty, then. So I’m forgettable. Thanks for that.”

  This time I did stomp off. I was pretty sure I threw in a little huff while I was at it.

  “Chloe, come on. We’re arguing about stupid things. It will all work out.”

  “Stupid things?” I said, spinning around and causing him to nearly run into me. “Easton, we need to talk about these things. I’m giving up my entire life here to be with you. The least you can do is let me come back and spend every other Christmas Day with my family.”

  “Giving up your life? Funny, I thought we were starting a life together.”

  “We are, but can’t you understand what I’m walking away from? My family? The job I always thought I would have? My friends? The only life I’ve ever known?”

  “Then maybe you should have thought a little bit longer on your answer, Chloe.”

  Turning, he started back for the house. I stood there, staring at him. My eyes stung as I forced to keep my tears back.

  “Okay, so I might be wrong here, but shouldn’t couples who just got engaged be all over each other, kissing and hugging?” I smiled at the sound of my cousin Liberty’s voice.

  “Liberty,” I said as she walked toward me. She looked like she had just gone horseback riding.

  “Oh, my gosh. You are a vision of Aunt Waylynn!”

  Laughing, she pulled me into her arms. “You do know I’m adopted, right?”

  I hit her lightly on the shoulder. “You still look like her. A mini version.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “I saw Uncle Rip a few minutes ago.”

  “Really?” I asked, looking around. “What was he doing?”

  “He was in with the horses when I got back from my ride. Looked like he was saddling up Daddy’s bay to go riding.”

  My heart leapt a little in my chest. Oh,
how I loved going on rides with Rip around the ranch. The way we would race across the pastures. Settling under that old oak tree of ours while the horses grazed, talking about all the plans we had for after we graduated college.

  “Hey, are you okay? You got a really sad look on your face just now.”

  “I’m fine. Sorry. I guess the little argument with Easton got to me.”

  “He’s cute,” Liberty said, looking off in the direction Easton had stormed off.

  “Yes, he is.”

  “There are way better-looking guys here, though.”

  Lifting my brow, I leaned in and said, “Do tell, Liberty.”

  Her cheeks turned pink. “I’m not talking about guys my age. I’m talking about guys like Uncle Rip. I always thought y’all would end up together.”

  I let out a frustrated sigh. “Well, apparently everyone but Rip thought that.”

  “Ouch. Watch out, Chloe. There was a little bit of bitterness in those words.”

  “You’re fifteen, Liberty. How would you know what bitterness is?”

  She threw her head back and laughed. “You have been gone awhile. I need to go so I’m not late for the dinner we’re throwing in your honor.”

  “Okay, see you soon.”

  Liberty lifted her hand and waved as she walked off. “In case you care, he rode off toward the south pasture.”

  “I don’t!”

  “Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”

  I groaned and headed back toward the party. I took one quick look over my shoulder and toward the south pasture. Surely Rip wouldn’t miss my dinner. He just wouldn’t.

  Rip

  CROSSING MY LEGS in the shade of the old tree and leaning back against the trunk, I tipped the whiskey flask back and drank as I stared at the swing. I had changed out the wood a few weeks ago to a newer piece.

  Ranger, my brother’s horse, was walking around grazing as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

  “You ever been in love, Ranger?”

  The bay lifted his head and silently answered.

  “Yeah, it does suck. What do you think I should do? Tell her not to marry him? Maybe finally confess I love her, that I’ve always loved her, but fucked up and was too chicken shit to make it right?”

  Ranger stared at me.

  I let out a grunt and took another drink. “She’s marrying him.”