Page 39 of Unbroken (Poplar Springs #2)

THIRTY-SEVEN

ELI

“ H ey, can I talk to you about one more thing?” I asked Josh as we finished our morning debrief.

We were in Josh’s office in the house and I kept glancing over my shoulder, worried that Fiona was going to walk by and overhear us.

I knew I was being a jerk and selfish for not having told Fiona about this sooner but we’d been getting along so well.

Exceedingly well, and I wasn’t ready to lose that yet.

Still, I knew the truth would come out eventually.

When it did, I would deserve every name she’d call me because the longer I waited, the harder it would be—for both of us.

“Sure, what’s up?” Josh asked as a flicker of concern passed over his face. “Everything okay?”

“Uh, yeah, yeah. It is. Everything’s great, actually.”

I closed the door and leaned against it with my arms crossed, feeling shockingly nervous for the conversation to come. Josh frowned at me.

“First, I want to tell you how much I love this place. Lost Valley Ranch has become a home to me. You and Shannon are incredible bosses. You make me feel valued and appreciated. And surprise of all surprises, working with Fiona has been kind of … fun.”

“I’m glad to hear all that,” Josh said slowly. He leaned back against his desk. “And yet I hear a ‘but’ coming, and I’m not sure I want to hear it.”

I managed a half grin at Josh’s ability to read the room. “But … my life outside the ranch has been a real challenge for the past few years. You have to know that.”

Josh nodded. “Yeah, you had a rough go of it. Your divorce felt like front page news for way too long. But that can’t still be going on, can it? Surely the gossips have moved on to something or someone else by now.”

“Yes, well, it still seems to crop up like some sort of bad rerun,” I said, shaking my head.

“It’s been frustrating feeling like everyone is judging me for letting Charlotte mess around behind my back.

It’s almost as if they think I allowed it to happen or there’s something wrong with me that drove her into the arms of another man.

” Truth be told, I’d had similar thoughts on some of my darker nights.

“Don’t get me wrong—plenty of folks have also been kind, but there’s only so much pity a man can take.

Patrick has picked up on it too, and that’s not a good thing.

A five-year-old shouldn’t be worried about his father. ”

I thought about my son’s other worry and clenched my fists.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Eli.”

I cleared my throat. “That’s why I’ve decided that it’s time for us to leave Poplar Springs. I found a job in Half Moon, and I’m heading there at the end of the season. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s the right one for us. ”

Josh was quiet for a few seconds as he processed the news. “Wow, okay. This is unexpected. Congratulations to you, friend. I’ll miss you, but I understand.”

He reached out his hand and strode to me. We shook hands and finally broke into genuine smiles. He clapped me on the back.

“I’m excited,” I said, hoping that it actually sounded like I was.

I kept waiting for the excitement to come. Surely it would arrive any time now. I couldn’t tell if it was just nerves about the upheaval to come, or if the doubts I was having about leaving needed to be addressed, but something was getting in the way of the joy and relief I should be feeling.

“Which ranch?” Josh asked. “Maybe I’ll send them an anonymous tip that you keep breaking the tractor, and they’ll rescind the offer so you’ll stay.”

I laughed. “Easy Eights, in Half Moon.”

“That’s a solid operation,” Josh said, nodding. “I met the owners years ago. Good for you. Are they looking to set up their own trail rides? There’s some pretty scenery out that way that riders might enjoy.”

“Nah. At least not for the time being, although they did ask me what I liked and didn’t like about running the rides.”

“Oh. Well, as your boss—not for much longer, mind you—I’m pretty sure I should know what those likes and dislikes are, so I can try to fix any issues for the next person.”

“Likes are easy. The way you run the ranch and the care you have for the horses and all the hands. All of that is top notch. As to dislikes …” I pointed to my jean-clad ass. “Be nice if I wasn’t treated like someone’s snack every time I take a group of women out on a trail. ”

Josh barked out a laugh. “Good to know. I’ll have to get one of those zoo signs that says, ‘Please do not annoy, pester vex, bother, tease… whatever… the trail boss.’”

“Actually that might be a good idea.” We both laughed before quieting down.

“So … what does this mean for you and Fiona?”

Josh asked it casually, but we both knew it was a sensitive topic. Josh and I never talked about my relationship with his sister—not when we were faking it and not when it became real. Fiona had insisted on handling those conversations with her siblings herself and I knew that she’d had them.

I stammered, and Josh raised his hand to cut me off. “None of my business, sorry. That was my overprotective big brother side coming out. Anyway, do you have a date yet?”

I nodded. “I do, and it’ll give you plenty of time to find a replacement for me.

I’d be happy to help with the search too.

I know you’ve been wanting to scale up, so now would be a good time to line up more hands, so you don’t get stuck again if someone calls out sick.

” Josh had canceled a trip to New York when he’d first started dating Zoe and they’d almost broken up over his insistence on putting the ranch first. He hadn’t done it since.

In fact, he’d gone out of his way to make sure he prioritized the people in his life over the ranch, and he seemed happier for it.

“I’d appreciate that,” Josh said. “At this point, I think you’re better equipped to find the right trail staff than I am.”

“And obviously, once she takes over the trail riding program officially, Fiona can reach out to me any time. I know things get bumpy during the ramp-up period with a new partner, so I could help train whoever you hire, if you bring them on before I head out with Patrick. ”

Josh laughed at me. “Have you met Fiona? She never asks for help. Trust me, she’ll be fine without you.”

I froze for a second. It was true and dammit, it hurt to think about.

“Anyway, congrats, Eli. And thanks for everything you’ve done to make the trail riding program a success. I would’ve been lost without you.”

Josh thrust out his hand again and I shook it again. He held it for a beat longer when he added, “If for any reason, things don’t work out, you’ll always be welcome here. You’re family and you’ve been a huge asset to the business.”

That choked me up. “Right then. See you out there,” I said as I walked out of the office, feeling off-kilter from everything we’d just discussed. I appreciated his open offer, but I couldn’t get what he said about Fiona out of my head.

She’ll be fine without you.

Exactly.