Page 36 of Revelry (Cowgirls Do It Better #2)
Gertie
I watched as the temporary stage went up at Redemption Ranch.
Jack and a few other guys assessed the wooden planks and beams with Kat directing them all. I watched as my best friend led the show, I was so proud of the woman she’d turned into over the last few years. She was a leader, in charge of her destiny. Bold, confident and self-assured.
And I was not.
But that tracks, me and Kat had always been opposites. Except my uncertainty at life was choking me.
In my periphery I saw the tall, gorgeous man I’d been hiding from.
I’d slipped last night and messaged him.
Tate knew I was avoiding him but he didn’t get why.
I wasn’t feeling awkward over our encounter, not anymore.
I was desperate to repeat it, and I worried that being in his presence would have my resolve crumbling down.
I’d reread his miss you too message so many times and each time I lingered over the words, they hit me in the chest.
No man had missed me before.
Except I knew I was reading into it, looking for meaning where there wasn’t any. I always fell hard and fast for guys, and I’d been convinced that I wouldn’t do that with Tate. He was so different to me but our differences created a balance in our relationship.
He softened me, I livened him up.
It worked.
I could see him veering towards me, in those damn chaps. He wasn’t even horseshoeing today so I don’t know why he was wearing them. I knew how often he came to the ranch now and he wasn’t due for a few weeks.
I panicked, and like any self-respecting adult woman would, I ran to my best friend, tugging her into a pointless conversation which turned into her asking for a favor.
“The caterer has come down with the flu and can’t help us out. I’m stuck, Gertie, I don’t know what to do!” she wailed, dropping her head into her hands. “The first big fundraising event that Redemption has put on and it’s already a failure!”
“It’s not a failure, so you just shush! What do you need? What can I do?”
She lifted her head. “Not unless you can make me some food super-fast?” she sniffled. “In two days.”
“I don’t think so Kat. Not unless everyone wants to freeze their tits-uh-boots off with some ice cream in winter.” I laughed at the ridiculous idea.
Kat’s eyes widened. “No, Gertie, that’s perfect!”
I held up my hands, suddenly regretting being a cowardly coward and running for my bestie.
“Oh no, I was joking, Kat.”
“Well, it wasn’t funny, it was brilliant!
You make the ice cream, we’ll source some cones and waffles, and we can do a winter wonderland theme!
” She paced with excitement, her brain whirring away.
“You can make shakes, and we’ll sell hot chocolates.
We can make ice cream sandwiches with cookies. Oh Gertie, you’re a genius!”
“But…it’s winter,” I whined.
“No, it’s Winter Wonderland!” Kat squealed, scribbling down something on her notebook. “How much do you think you could make in two days?”
I looked around me helplessly. “I have no idea.”
“Let’s go shopping and get what you need, and we’ll just see where you get to, yeah?” Her eyes were bright with hope, and I couldn’t say no. Like most people at this ranch, I’d do whatever she asked me to.
“Okay but we need to go now, it’s already seven.”
“Babe!” Kat shouted to Jack. “We’re heading out, you’re in charge!”
Jack nodded and blew her a kiss which she caught and placed over her heart. I smirked at her, shaking my head and when she saw me, her cheeks flushed.
“Oh, hush it, you.”
“You guys are too cute, it’s like you’re in high school,” I teased, fluttering my lashes at her.
“Speaking of high school, how goes things with you and Dr. Wilder?” She lowered her voice as we headed towards our vehicles.
“Erm…I’m sort of avoiding him,” I admitted.
Her head whipped towards me. “What? Why?”
“Because I’m starting to want his babies, and that’s dangerous territory for me.”
“Oh Gertie, how do you know he doesn’t want your babies?”
“He wants my something,” I snorted. “But it isn’t babies. We’ve had that conversation and Tate doesn’t want the same things as me so it’s pointless. Now I’m stuck with all these feelings.”
There was a pause. “Are you ready to get so serious about someone right after your ex?”
“No.” I sighed. “Hence the avoiding.”
“Could you not just—”
“Nope,” I cut her off.
“But just once?”
“Nope.”
“But you could—”
I laughed. “No, Kat.”
“Okay, well I admire your resistance, he is one fine looking man.”
“It’s not resistance if I completely avoid him. It’s when we’re in close proximity that said resistance is tested.”
We got into Princess and drove to the Mini Mart where I filled the shopping cart with vanilla, salt, heavy cream and whole milk.
Then we went wild, grabbing fresh fruits, sprinkles, sauces, and candy.
The excitement fuelling me, inspiring me with all the flavors and concoctions I could make that I zoned out and accidentally hit another cart with ours.
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry!” I said. The woman turned to face us and her expression dropped as she spotted me and Kat.
“Hello Mrs. Brown, so nice to see you again,” Kat smiled politely.
The woman looked between us and then with a harrumph, she spun on her heel and stalked off.
“I see she’s not forgiven us for TP’ing the store then?
” I whispered to Kat who snort-giggled at the memory.
Mrs. Brown turned and glared at us over the rim of her glasses before sticking her nose back in the air and marching off.
Kat let out another snort and I clamped my hand over her mouth and nose.
“You still can’t contain your laughter!” I hissed, trying not to giggle myself. “Mrs. Brown is a very well-respected woman in Reverence. We did a bad thing all those years ago, a very bad thing and need penance and—”
That broke Kat, she fell into a full-on cackle, struggling to catch her breath. “Stop it, Gertie, I’m gonna pee!” she wailed, wiping the tears from her eyes.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re a child, Katarina.” But I had to purse my lips to stop the laughter. We checked out, Kat paying for all the goodies and I dropped her back at the ranch with a promise to let her know how much I managed to get done.
“I really appreciate this, Gertie. Everyone is gonna lose their minds when they taste your treats! And you’ll make a ton of money for charity, and yourself,” she added.
I shook my head. “Oh no, you don’t need to pay me. The ranch is my second home, and I’ll do anything else to help it. Even better that it’s for a good cause.”
“Nonsense Gertie, you at least need to be paid for your time. And you’ll earn it with each mouthful someone takes.
” She waved goodbye and then I was heading for home, stomach churning at the thought of strangers tasting my ice cream.
It was fine when friends and family ate it, they had to be nice.
But strangers had no filter and didn’t hesitate to tell you if something wasn’t up to standard.
My stomach continued churning when I pulled into the cul-de-sac, relieved to see that Tate was still out.
I pushed my nerves away, I needed to focus on making ice cream and not letting my best friend down.
I dragged the groceries inside and got to work.
I put on a playlist and enjoyed stirring and adding flavors together.
I had to pause, too excited by the different mixtures that flew through my brain and started making notes.
I toyed with sweet and salty tastes, added candy as well as the fresh blueberries, raspberries and strawberries I’d bought. Then played with mint leaves, dried cranberries and chocolate chips.
Too absorbed in my creative process, I didn’t realize I had run out of space in the freezer.
I wasn’t even nearly finished, too inspired to stop now.
I could take some over to the ranch and store it there, but I needed more.
I tapped my chin, twirling around the kitchen before I decided to end my avoidance of Tate.
Purely in the name of charity, of course.
I peeked out the front door, but his truck wasn’t parked in the drive. I hopped the hedge and knocked on his door anyway just to check. But there was no answer, he wasn’t home. Not that that would stop me, I needed his freezer, and I needed it now.
I went back to my house and grabbed the spare key, my ingredients and let myself into his place.