“And now he’s dead.”
“I didn’t know that would happen, Sally. I thought he’d go away for a while, and by the time he came back to apologize and tell the truth, we’d have the ranch.”
Sally stared at Bella, lips pursed. “You still lied to me. To all of us.”
“I know,” Bella said glumly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
“What I don’t understand,” said Jo slowly, “is why you didn’t just tell us.”
“What do you mean?” asked Bella.
“Instead of scaring off ranch hands and cutting funds and lying to us… why didn’t you just tell us?” Jo looked around the table. “I think we all would have understood.”
“I might not have,” Sally said, glaring at Bella.
“All of us hate Weattie,” said Nikki. “We would have all been on your side.”
Bella shook her head. “I’m sorry. I really should have put more trust in all of you.”
Everyone sat in silence, reeling from the information brought before them.
“So what are we going to do now?” Jo asked.
“What can we do?” Bella shrugged. “The guest house is gone. If Weattie has any sense, he’ll be halfway to Mexico by now. Connor is…” She trailed off, pink patches appearing on her cheeks.
“No,” said Nikki. “We can still report him.” She stood up. “Come on, Bella, we can still get the ranch.”
“Where are we going?” Bella asked, following Nikki.
“The sheriff’s office. Anyone else coming?”
Jo jumped up. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” She grabbed Bella’s hand and squeezed it. “You have a lot of making up to do. But we got your back on this one.”
The three left the house, and the sound of the truck rolling down the drive could be heard through the swinging screen door.
“Do you buy it?” Sally asked Anita.
“She’s telling the truth,” Tristan interjected. Sally glared at him but softened at his piercing cerulean eyes. “I’ve heard that story twice now. She really loves this ranch. And she’s heartbroken about Connor. She really thought she was looking out for you when she told him to leave.”
Sally bit her lip and shook her head, her golden hair falling over her face. “I… I don’t know. This is a lot to take in.”
“Take your time,” Anita said, taking hold of her hand.
“Yeah. I need to think on this.” She stood up, pushing her chair back. “I’ll see you guys later.”
Sally left the kitchen, disappearing through the screen door. Tristan and Anita gave each other an awkward look but quickly turned their gaze elsewhere. Anita moved her coffee mug; Tristan nervously pushed his tangle of golden flecked hair back.
“Is it always going to be this awkward when we’re left alone?” Anita asked suddenly.
Tristan paused. “I don’t want it to be.”
“I guess we can kind of call it quits, right?”
“Start with a clean slate, maybe?”
“We can be friends?”
There was a short silence as the two of them stared at each other, piercing blue eyes to dark molten brown ones. “Yeah, sure. We can be friends.”
Tristan pushed his chair back. “I suppose I should… I dunno, do ranch stuff.” He walked out of the kitchen, and Anita felt her heart sink. It was probably for the best, that he walked away, that he moved on, that--
“No, no, no. Do you know what? I don’t want to be your friend.” Tristan walked back into the kitchen. Anita stood up as he walked over to her. “And I don’t want a clean slate either. Because our story isn’t perfect, but it’s our story, and I wouldn’t change a second of it because every imperfect moment I’ve been falling more and more in love with you and I--”
“You love me?” she interrupted.
“I--” for a moment, he looked utterly terrified. But he saw the look on her face, a look that was echoed in his own heart. He smiled at her. “Anita, I’m crazy about you.”
She blushed and he gently stroked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.
“I — Tristan, I love you.”
He laughed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
“I love you,” she repeated.
“You WHAT me?” he asked, playfully grabbing her waist and pulling her body into him.
“I LO--” she started to shout, but she never finished. He kissed her, his soft lips pressed against hers with such passion it caught the words in her throat.
He pulled away slowly. His smile reached his glittering azure eyes. Leaning into Anita’s blushing face, he softly whispered in her ear. Anita heard the words, felt filled with lightness as her every desire came true.
“I love you, too.”
EPILOGUE
October 27th
Dear Nikki,
We were all so excited to receive your letter! The photos look great, it’s good to see you’ve settled in properly. Chicago sounds big and confusing, I’m not sure I could handle it. I’m sure you’ll need a break from the city, and we were talking the other day about what we’re going to do for Thanksgiving — I think you’re the only one who knows how to cook a turkey, so it looks like you’ll have to come back for a visit. (Bella says she could do a turkey, you have to save us before she poisons us all.)
Weattie’s trial started last week: he pleaded guilty. He’s trying to get his sentence cut, but it’s not looking good for him. And guess what: the ranch is officially ours! Weattie signed everything off, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Bella happier.
Sally is moving to Portland next month, she’s heading out right after Thanksgiving. I think it’ll be good for her, she’s found a riding school just outside the city looking for an instructor, and they said she can take Willow. It’ll be a good new start — I already miss her, even though she’s still here, but she’ll be back for holidays, and Jo’s already made plans to visit her. So that’s another reason for you to swing by next month! Raoul left a few days after you, but it looks like it’s getting serious between him and Sally, I wouldn’t be surprised if he mysteriously turned up in Portland in the next few months.
Jo hasn’t picked up any new wayward souls, but she just helped Bella hire out a new ranch hand to replace Connor. Her name’s Alison, she’s still learning, but I think she’ll fit in well. She and Jo seem to get along pretty great, which is nice. She also finally seems to have warmed up to Tristan. We’re not hiring any more people until the guest house is rebuilt, which reminds me…
That photo of the guest house, that’s from last week! It’s taking time, and money, which is why we’re holding off on a second ranch hand, but we’re hoping it’ll be done by February. Jo’s going to stay in your room, and Alison is in Raoul’s, but she’ll move into mine once the guest house is done. It’s lively, with everyone living together, but Tristan’s been itching for space, and everyone will be glad to have two fewer people lining up for the shower.
We got an invitation to Julian and Callie’s wedding: they’re getting married in the new year. Tristan wasn’t sure at first, but I know he’ll come around — Julian’s his brother, after all. I would have been worried about it, three months ago, but now… I’m totally fine with it. I can’t believe I ever questioned it, me and Tristan, I’ve never felt more like this is how things are supposed to be.
We all miss you, here, Adagio most of all, but don’t worry, we’re taking good care of him. He’s not letting anyone ride him, you know, but he likes Tristan, and he’s doing well.
It’s crazy, how much life has changed in the past six months — and how much more it’s going to change. I kind of thought it would last forever — you, and Bella, and Sally and Jo and I. And when things started happening I was so scared. I didn’t want things to change, didn’t want things to be different.
Now I can’t imagine my life any other way. I guess things change, whether you want them to or not. But I think I’ve finally figured it out: it’s not about resisting cha
nge. It’s about having the right people to face it with.
See you soon, and don’t forget to write!
Love,
Anita
End.
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Love Tangle: Riding Bareback Page 16
