Page 30 of Take Me Please, Cowboy (The Calhouns & Campbells of Cold Canyon Ranch #1)

She didn’t know where he lived in Eureka, but she’d found an address for Calhoun Roofing online.

From what she could tell, Calhoun Roofing wasn’t the biggest roofing company, but they’d been around since the early nineteen eighties and had solid reviews.

Of course, there was always a review or two by a disgruntled customer, but the company had responded and apologized and said they wanted to make things right and would be in touch.

Ansley half smiled, thinking that sounded like something Rye would say. Or maybe it was just how the Calhouns were—straight up good people.

She tried to imagine Rye’s reaction when she showed up on the office doorstep. He’d be shocked, but then pleased. She knew he’d be pleased. She shivered in anticipation. Just three more hours and she’d be there.

*

Rye couldn’t believe his eyes.

Ansley was here, in Eureka, in the tiny construction office on Dewey Street.

His dad had opened the office in the early 1980s and when things had gotten tight, had sold off the biggest chunk of space to a window company, built a wall to divide the two businesses, and turned the small section into a very small office, usually manned by Carol, but with Rye hurt and unable to climb onto roofs, he’d sent Carol off on a much-needed vacation and he’d taken over playing office manager.

He was in the middle of doing office manager things like taking calls and placing orders for materials when Ansley walked in, and because he was being given the runaround by a supplier when the door opened, he didn’t immediately look up, but when he finally did, sunshine flooded the doorway, haloing beautiful golden Ansley.

He hung up on the supplier and crossed to the door.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, taking her in his good arm, the other still was in a sling.

She smiled shyly. “Came to see you. Did I come at a bad time?”

“No. A great time. I was about to cuss someone out. You saved me from losing my temper.”

“Then I’m glad I arrived in the nick of time.”

“Me, too.” He kissed her, and then again. “Let’s get out of here and get some lunch. That is, if you’re hungry.”

“I haven’t eaten yet.”

“Good. I haven’t, either.”

*

They ate burgers at the little burger joint in downtown Eureka and shared an order of fries. Rye wanted to know how long she’d be able to stay and asked her if there was anything in particular she wanted to do or see.

“Just you,” she answered, stopping herself from reaching for another fry. “And obviously your family. But if there’s a scenic drive we could do, or something pretty to see, I did bring my paints. Just in case.”

“I’ll have to think about that,” he answered.

“Are you working tomorrow?”

“No. Not now that you’re here.”

“Don’t close the office because of me.”

“It’s slow right now. I’m not missing anything, and I would miss you if I went to work and left you alone.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be alone. I’d have your family for company. I can’t wait to see Josie again.”

“Actually, she’s not here right now. She’s visiting Hannah in Missoula.”

“That will be fun for her.”

“From what I understand, Hannah’s boyfriend is planning on proposing soon. I’m hoping that’s not this weekend.”

“You don’t like her boyfriend?”

Rye slowly shook his head, expression grim. “No. And it disgusts me even calling him a boyfriend. He’s twice as old as she is. He’s not attractive. He’s not fun or interesting. He’s not good enough for her. He’ll never be good enough.”

Ansley’s brows rose. She’d never heard Rye speak of anyone like this. “So, why does she love him?”

“I don’t think she does. I think she’s confused.” Rye’s jaw worked, the muscle near his ear tightening. “He has some money. He’s showered her with gifts, with all the things she’s never had, and it’s turned her head.”

Ansley reached across the table to take Rye’s hand. “But if she’s happy?”

“Then I’d be happy, but I don’t think she’s happy. I think she’s being a sacrificial lamb.” Rye pulled his hand away. “She’ll marry Ron because he can pay for things, and that would ultimately make things easier on me.”

Ansley was glad when lunch was over and Rye suggested heading over to the house to show her around and introduce her to Jasper and his parents.

Rye’s negativity toward Ron had been a shock, but as the big brother, he was of course protective and invested in Hannah’s future.

She could only imagine how her brothers would react if she brought home a man twenty years her senior, a man who was spoiling her with gifts.

They’d be uncomfortable, too, and her dad would have plenty to say as well.

She almost asked Rye how their dad felt about Ron, but he got a call, and he took it, saying he’d be back in the office on Monday, and by the time he hung up, she forgot about her question.

Ansley drove behind Rye’s truck, following him to his house. He gestured for her to park off to the side, while he parked next to her.

Her heart sank a little as she took in the house.

She hadn’t expected anything fancy, but it was a very dark brown block, two stories high with a sharply pitched roof and plain square windows.

If the house was painted a lighter color, and there were shutters and perhaps some landscaping, it would have more curb appeal, but as it was it just looked utilitarian, as did the flat overgrown yard.

A wide ramp led to the front door, the brown stain quite scuffed on the bottom third.

She wondered if the marks were from Jasper’s wheelchair.

Of course, she wouldn’t ask, but anxiety bubbled up, anxiety that this was Rye’s home, and she might possibly be living here with him one day.

He opened the front door and stepped back so she could enter.

The house was dark, the blinds on the windows were drawn.

It was all Ansley could do to stand there when she already felt like she was suffocating.

“Dad likes to keep the curtains drawn,” Rye said, closing the door behind them. “But when Josie’s here, she’s opening up everything. But with her in Missoula, he’s got it all buttoned down.”

A female voice sounded from the back of the house. “Is that you, Rye? You’re home early.”

“I know. I’ve brought someone to meet you.”

“Let me just comb my hair and put on some lipstick,” his mother answered.

“Take your time,” he called back, before turning to Ansley. “She’s going to be really happy to meet you. I’ve told her about you, and Josie is convinced you two are going to be best friends.”

Ansley smiled, trying to hide the tenderness inside of her. She felt unsettled, almost bruised.

“I hope she’ll like me,” Ansley said.

“Of course she will. How could she not?”

*

But it wasn’t Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun who were the problem. It wasn’t Jasper, either, as he was absolutely lovely.

The problem was Ansley. All afternoon, and then all through dinner—they were having a bucket of KFC and mashed potatoes and gravy in honor of her being there—she struggled. She wasn’t comfortable.

Worse, she finally understood what Rye had been talking about all this time, and why he had pushed her away, trying to make decisions for her—and them.

He wasn’t ashamed of his family, but he understood the realities, and it was clear he understood that it wouldn’t be easy for someone to assimilate into this world, not the way it was.

His dad wasn’t just disabled from his job injury, but he was also struggling with depression.

Ansley couldn’t imagine a dad just abdicating all responsibility for one’s family, leaving the job to his son.

But Rye, wonderful, courageous, selfless Rye had stepped up to fill his father’s shoes and be the person they needed him to be.

He’d done this since he was just a teenager, which made her admire Rye even more.

But it was hard to see how little he had for himself. How little he had financially, how little freedom and space, never mind emotional space.

She couldn’t imagine her brothers having to contend with the world Rye inhabited.

She couldn’t imagine any of them willingly sacrificing their own futures for their family, and maybe she was wrong, maybe if confronted by a tragedy, each of her brothers would step up and make hard choices.

But they hadn’t needed to do such a thing and the Calhoun family benefited daily from Rye’s effort.

They all benefited from his work and his income and Rye had been doing this, paying for everything, for years.

And he, himself, had nothing to show for it.

He lived in a dreadful little trailer. His parents had the main house, but it was incredibly rundown. Yes, the interior was clean but there were no special touches, nothing to make it homey, or personal.

Ansley, the artist, Ansley the woman who craved beauty didn’t think she’d survive in this place, and she’d made a terrible mistake coming to Eureka. After dinner was over, she retreated to Rye’s trailer, overwhelmed by Rye’s family’s struggles.

Perhaps if Josie was here, Ansley could talk to her, and ask questions.

Like why didn’t Rye’s father do anything to help the family?

She’d watched him that afternoon sitting in front of the TV, and then watched him again at dinner, and he was helpless, practically as dependent on the others as Jasper.

Ansley didn’t know enough of the situation, and so she couldn’t judge.

She shouldn’t judge. But she found herself questioning why Mr. Calhoun didn’t still try to manage his roofing company.

Maybe his back had been hurt, but couldn’t he do the books, or handle sales calls, or order materials?

Couldn’t he go into the office part-time and represent Calhoun Roofing?

Why just abandon it completely, leaving it all to Rye?