Page 48 of Save A Horse (Texas Rose Ranch #1)

Daisy

W e had one last kiss in Colt’s truck last night, and I wanted to sit there and let time stand still in that moment. I didn’t want this to end between us. This had been the best time of my life, even if it didn’t start that way.

I got up the next morning after barely sleeping with the thought of my leaving the ranch, my dad, and Colt. I needed to have a conversation with Colt and see where his head is at.

I wanted him to say he wanted to be with me.

I wanted him to tell his dad about us.

I wanted him to ask me to stay.

I was only supposed to be here for the summer, and at first, I absolutely hated being here.

Colt even called me out on my crap one night.

I never expected to enjoy being here again, and I definitely didn’t have Colt and me forming a romantic relationship in the cards.

I wanted us to be together all those years ago when my crush had just started to form and we were basically inseparable, but it never happened .

It was time for me to go back to my place and job in Dallas.

I still had my stuff there. Yes, I could find a job here.

Maybe I could write about and take pictures of the people here, like I always wanted.

That was always the dream, and I know that’s why my dad got me to come back here in the first place.

I thought about the day we helped my dad and he told me he knew about us.

I thought about us having a picnic at my dad’s.

I thought about the bar and riding horses.

I thought about us swimming together and how it reminded me of when we did that as kids.

I thought about every single moment between us over this summer.

There were so many sweet moments of laughter and smiles, and some intense moments of kissing that lit a fire in me that I had never felt before.

I had packed up my stuff, because I did have to go back, whether it was to stay for good or to come back here and placed them by the front door.

I looked out on the porch to see Colt rubbing his neck before taking off his hat and running his fingers through his hair.

I loved the way his hair was slightly longer and curled toward the brim of his hat.

“Hey,” I spoke softly.

“Hey.” He smiled, but I could tell it was forced. “Sleep well?”

“Not really. A lot on my mind. You?”

“Same thing.”

“I kept thinking about today and leaving.”

“Me, too. It’s going to be tough without you around. This summer went by too fast, didn’t it?” That was the understatement of a lifetime

“It did.” I needed to have the conversation with myself, and it needed to be now. I couldn’t put it off any longer. “Colt, can we talk? ”

“Yes, of course.” We walked to the rocking chairs and took a seat beside each other.

“I know we haven’t been together that long, but we have a history, and what we have is real. Do you agree?”

“I do.”

“I want you to come clean to your dad about us.” I could only imagine how he felt when I said those words, but he needed to do it. This had been put off for too long, and now the summer was over.

“You want me to tell him that we’ve been seeing each other, keeping it a secret from him?” Yes, that’s exactly what I want. I want you to stand up for what you want and believe in.

“Yes, Colt, I do. He deserves to know.”

“What if he doesn’t take it well?”

“Then we will figure it out if we get there.” I leaned forward in the chair, “He might surprise you. My dad told you that your dad was protecting you from getting hurt. He might surprise you with his reaction. He may understand, Colt.” We had no way of knowing how Walt was going to react, but if Colt didn’t tell him, we would never know.

“You think?” I nodded.

“After that, we can talk and figure out where to go from here.” He didn’t speak.

I knew he was just trying to process everything.

“It’s up to you to show him that you’re serious about us.

It’s up to you to tell him. I’m not going to make you or pressure you.

It all relies on you now.” I couldn’t do anything. Only Colt could do something now.

“Okay.”

I walked back inside. I wasn’t sure what Colt was going to do. I could see the fear and anxiety plastered on his face during our conversation. I was afraid he wouldn’t tell his dad. That made me want to cry .

I just wanted him to come clean.

I wanted him to fight for me.

I wanted him to fight for us.

I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but I was supposed to leave in about an hour, so I was hoping to get some information soon.

Walt let me off the hook from doing any work around the ranch this morning so I could pack.

There was one thing I wanted to do before I left, though.

I waited until Colt had brought his coffee cup inside and disappeared around the ranch before I went outside.

I wasted no time heading straight for the barn to saddle up Domino. I wanted to get in one last ride.

“Can I join you?” I turned around to face the familiar voice.

“Dad? What are you doing here?”

“Can’t a father come see his baby girl before she leaves?” I gave him a big hug. “Now, can I ride with you?”

“I’d like that.”

Out in the field, surrounded by only the sounds and smells of the nature around us, I was enjoying one last ride. This time, it was with my dad. I glanced over at him as we rode, side by side, and could tell he wanted to say something. He had something on his mind.

“I know you have something to say.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Say it.” I pulled on the reins to get Domino to stop, and my dad did the same with Shadow.

“Are you really going to leave?”

“What do you mean? We both knew I only agreed to be here for the summer.”

“Yes, that’s true...but haven’t things changed? ”

“You mean with me and Colt?”

“Well, yeah, honey. You two seemed awfully serious when I saw you. Are you not going to see that through?”

“I told him I wanted him to tell his dad. I told him that this morning. He walked off, and I don’t know if he was going to come clean about us or not. I saw so much anxiety and fear in his eyes…I just don’t know, dad. I don’t know.”

“Do you want to stay? For him?”

“I do. I’ve liked being back here, even if I wasn’t too happy when you first got me to come here.”

“I’ve enjoyed having you back here. What about your job?”

“I could always find another one here. Maybe I could give that writing and pictures a chance here.”

“Your dream always was to do that for the people here. I hated to see you give up on that.”

“Maybe I can get it back. I just have to wait and see what Colt is going to do. I can’t just up and leave there without any sort of notice, anyway.”

“I know. Things will work out, honey.”

We circled around and rode the horses back to the barn.

I was grateful for my dad giving me this summer back in Garrity Valley.

Without that, I wouldn’t have had this reconnection with Colt, and it developed into a relationship, and my dad and I wouldn’t have rekindled our relationship.

This summer was a new beginning for me, and I had my dad to thank.

We got off the horses, took off their saddles, and put them back in their stalls. I gave my dad one last hug.

“Well, it’s time for me to go.”

“Let me help you with your bags.” We walked to the house, Walt sitting in a rocking chair and Colt leaning against the wooden railing. My dad carried the bags out to his truck, putting them in the back. Walt stood up .

“It’s been nice having you here, Daisy.” Walt gave me a quick hug. “You can always come back here and see us. Don’t be a stranger.”

I looked over at Colt, who was still standing in the same spot, looking out at the fields. He didn’t look at me, and that was all I needed to know. I walked off the porch and got into my dad’s truck. I waved back at Walt as we drove off, then wiped a tear from my eyes.