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“But it doesn’t change anything. I care about her, and she cares about the town. But she’s still leaving.”

“That’s a possibility,” Grace conceded.

“So, how can I sweep her off her feet when one of ’em is out the door?”

“What you’re dealing with is a chicken-and-egg problem, my dear.”

Bennett raised a brow. “And what, pray tell, is that, Mom?”

“Which came first?”

“And that applies to Maggie how?”

“Well, is she leaving, therefore you won’t tell her how you feel, or is she leaving because you won’t tell her how you feel?”

Bennett kicked the leg of the oak table by the entryway. “I told her I wanted to pick up where we left off.” Even he heard the whine in his voice.

“However, you aren’t the same people you were when you last loved each other. Thank goodness, too. You were the worst when it came to picking out movies on family movie night. Donnie Darko? I’m still not sure I understand what that was.”

Bennett laughed and handed her back her coat. Grace didn’t do subtle, so unless he wanted Maggie to boot scoot and boogie back to her ranch, he needed to get this show on the road.

“The point is, son, you have to meet her where she is now, not before. And there’s the other thing.”

“Oh goodie. There’s more?”

“You still want to buy her ranch.”

He nodded. He did. At least he thought he did. It’d been his singular goal for so long he didn’t know what to do without it guiding his decisions. Then he shook his head.

“I’m not sure,” he answered honestly. “I want it for the cattle, for the business, but if there’s another way to protect my herd and keep her here… well, I’m open to it.”

“Well, I’d figure that out, too. Because if you can’t find a solution, she’ll leave. You may end up with what you thought you wanted in that case, but it won’t be what you need, hon.”

Bennett scratched his chin. He’d like to say he’d just marry the woman and they could share the canyon, but it took two to agree to that kinda deal and, well, she’d already turned him down once where that particular solution was concerned.

“Okay, Mom. You’ve given me a lot to think about, but if you don’t get out of here, I’m gonna be late and all the sweeping in the world won’t work.”

“I get the hint. Don’t forget to have a little fun yourself tonight. Life’s too short to work your way through it.”

He kissed his mom goodbye and jogged out to his truck. She wasn’t wrong, but it would’ve been nice if she’d given some ideas on how exactly he was supposed to turn things around with Maggie so she’d start seeing him as someone she could trust again.

Only one spot was open in the back of the Boot and Barrel parking lot when he arrived. Was Tim McGraw performing?

Music and laughter poured from the doors as they revolved to let people in and out. Is this what fun looks like? He could get into it, with a drink to break the ice—after work was done, anyway.

The bartender gave a double take when he walked in, as did a few of the patrons—most of whom he knew. He scanned the place but didn’t see the one face he was looking for yet.

“Well, look what the dust devil blew in. Bennett Marshall, as I live and breathe. Didn’t think I’d ever see you in here again.”

“I’ve got whiskey at my house and a whole lot less noise.”

“Betcha don’t have a band like the Piranha Brothers, though, do you?”

Bennett gave the duo a glance. They were pretty talented, even if he wasn’t the biggest fan of the song they covered.

“No. That I don’t.”

“What can I get you?”