I begin setting the items back in the basket, holding her jar of pickles in my hand. "I appreciate it," I say. "I like keeping the books here for you and Uncle Leroy. Besides that, I want to be like you," I admit.
"Like me?" she says. "I thought you had a problem with cowboys, and my life is committed to them. Morning to night I'm working here, taking care of cowboys. And every time the topic comes up, you get skittish."
"Well, I'm here doing the books for you, aren't I?"
"You are and I appreciate it. You're keeping the accounts real good. And I think that's because of that year you did have in college. But are you happy, Laura? When you're not doing the books in the office, you're reading a book on the front porch. Do you want more than that for your life?"
“I don't want to go back to my father if that's what you're asking. I don't want anything to do with him. I'm done trying to save him from himself."
"I think that's a good idea," she says. "But sometimes I wonder if you've created this little bubble for yourself because you're scared of letting anybody else in."
"I'm friends with the girls of the Ladies’ Support Society," I tell her. “Rachel and Sarah.”
"That's true," she says, nodding, untying the apron at her back and hanging it on a hook on the pantry door. "But besides the volunteer work, you never get together with them socially."
I shrug. "I don't need a lot. I'd be happy keeping your books for as long as I can and reading when I'm not, unless you're not happy with this arrangement."
"Oh no, you've helped me a great deal. And I trust you with my finances, which is why I'm happy you're here, but…"
I shake my head. "There's no buts. I don't want a cowboy as a partner, and it's not like I have to really interact with them much while I'm in your office. I can keep to myself."
Aunt Ella nods. "All right, honey. Just so long as you're happy."
"I'm happy," I tell her. "Look, I just made all of this amazing food and I'm going to give it to whoever buys it, which could be a cowboy."
Aunt Ella laughs. "You think there's a cowboy around here with deep enough pockets to beat out Brady?"
I shrug. "You never know," I say, thinking about Cole. But I'm the one who does the books around here, and I know what his paycheck is. Based on that, he's just barely getting by. Though who knows, he may have saved every last cent.
At the barn raising, I see my friends Sarah and Rachel. They're talking animatedly about last night.
"What was last night?" I ask.
"Oh, we were all out at the bar on the edge of town. You should have come, Laura. You're always home."
I shrug. "The bar scene isn't really my thing."
"How would you know if you've never gone?" Rachel asks with a laugh.
"Fair enough.” I shrug, knowing that drinking is never gonna be my thing. I don’t want to be like my pa. “Did you have a good time?" I ask. Sarah's cheeks go bright red. "What?" I ask playfully. "Give me the details."
Rachel fills me in. "Sarah hooked up with that rancher Luke last night. He lives in your uncle’s bunkhouse. She's hoping he buys her basket today."
"Wow," I say. "He's a good time."
"What do you mean, he's a good time?" Rachel asks.
"I just mean he's really funny around the ranch. He's always laughing and playing jokes on people."
"Who does he hang out with at the ranch? I mean, who does he spend most of his time with?"
I press my lips together. "Well, most mornings I see him walking with that cowboy Cole."
At that, Rachel smiles. "Cole, huh? That boy is so quiet, I've hardly heard him speak."
"But he's polite," Sarah nods.
"Yeah, I think you're right, Laura,” Rachel says. “He and Luke are good friends. Luke mentioned him last night."
"What'd he say?" I ask.
Rachel smiles, a twinkle in her eye. "Why do you care? Are you interested in Cole?"
I bite my bottom lip. "I don't know. Curious maybe. He gave me a ride home yesterday. When it started raining."
"See, he is polite and courteous," Sarah says. "But since you weren't at the bar, let me guess what were you doing last night," she teases. "Were you reading about a hot professor or a knight in shining armor?"
Rachel laughs. "Why would you want a prince or a knight when you can have a cowboy? Look at these boys working today."
We all turn, facing the men who are working on the barn. Shirts off. Shoulders sweaty. Lean, muscular men. Real men.
"Yes, please," Sarah agrees. "Look, Luke is so sexy with his shirt off." Then, teasing me, they point out Cole. "But Cole, damn, even working on the barn, he's serious."