Page 21 of Take My Name

“I’ll probably yank out those other posts so no one gets hurt,” he mutters more to himself. “These others I can replace.”

“When are you plannin’ to work on it?” I ask, wondering if he’ll use it as an excuse to avoid me.

“Bodie said next week, but I’d be surprised if he does it. He’s been puttin’ it off, so I might do it myself if I can find the time.”

I nod, riding next to him down the trail.

“Are—”

“Do you?—”

We blurt the words at the same time when the silence gets awkward.

“Go ahead,” I tell him.

“I was gonna ask if you wanted a tour.”

“Of what?”

“The ranch. A lot has changed since you’ve been here.”

“Really?”

He shrugs. “Posey started a goat soap business and we built a new shed for ’em all.”

“You have goats? Oh my gosh, yes. I’d love to see ’em.”

He chuckles. “Shoulda known that’d work on you.”

“Well…who doesn’t love goats?” I hesitantly laugh because we’re not fighting for once, but I doubt it’ll last. “How many do y’all have?”

“I think she’s up to a dozen now.”

“Wow. A whole goat farm.”

“Posey will probably be there, if you’re okay with that,” he tells me cautiously.

“I am if you are.”

He lifts a shoulder. “I’m sure Bodie’s texted the sibling group chat by now anyway.”

Not sure what to think about that, if that’s good or bad, but I don’t ask.

It doesn’t take long to get to the shed, and I beam at how cute it is. Some of the goats are grazing and unfazed by our arrival, but as soon as Warren and I climb off our horses, Posey bursts out and rushes toward me.

“Oh my God!” She wraps me in a hug before I can brace for it and nearly fall to the ground.

Laughing, I cling to her and pull back when she does.

“Maisie! I can’t believe you’re here.”

With her only being two years younger, we became friends when Warren and I started dating. She was thirteen, but we went to the same high school and had some classes together. Whenever I’d come to see Warren, she’d fight for me to hang out with her instead. She was the little sister I never had.

But we didn’t stay in contact after I left for New York the second time.

That’s the sad reality when your relationship ends.

His parents and siblings were like a second family to me, and I haven’t seen them in years.