Page 7 of Skye's Fall

“Dad said you can live in the barn apartment if you don’t want to stay here,” she says in my ear as she hugs me.

“Thank you.”

“Linc, I have a proposition for you,” Sal saunters over.

I just stare at him, waiting to hear this proposition.

“Second season of the show is going to be different. Think all-around cowboy meets dating show. Not everything will be country or farm-related. I think you should consider. You will be paid handsomely.”

I have no words right now. He offered me a job last time, as a consultant and ranch hand, but now he’s offering me to be a bachelor on the show. I’m stunned to even answer.

“Okay, Uncle Sal, we will talk to him.” Ever hugs her uncle and ushers him to his car in a rush. I would laugh if I wasn’t trying to process my whole day.

He wants me to be on the show? I don’t have time to think about love when my life is in shambles.

“Linc.” Memphis repeats my name until I look at him.

“Let’s go inside and get you a beer and we can talk about this.” Memphis gestures to the open door.

I follow him, sinking into the couch, wishing I could disappear right now.

I don’t know what I’m going to do.

Chapter Five

Skye

“Memphis said you were out here,” Ever says as she sits down next to me. I come to her little pond when I need to think. I’m sitting on the shoreline and dipping my feet in the water, thinking about what I’m going to do.

“I know you said yes to the show, that’s why you’re here.”

She’s right in a way, so I nod.

“What’s got you down?” Everything is what I want to say.

“I don’t know. I’m not good at anything. I can’t even cook an egg,” I say, remembering the breakfast fiasco on the show.

Ever doesn’t react or talk right away. She’s letting me do my thing and get it off my chest.

“My mom reamed my ass for that. She thought she taught me better. And then remember the barrels?”

I ramble on about all my shortcomings until Ever puts a hand on my shoulder.

“Come on,” she says gently.

“Where are we going?”

“I’m going to show you that you aren’t as bad as you think.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Skye, we’re friends.”

“We are?”

“Stop overthinking. I got over that shitstorm a while ago. You wouldn’t have been in my wedding if I still held a grudge.”

I just nod and follow her up to the house.