Second Chance At The Ranch

‘Mostly, plus I’ll be extending it a bit.’

‘That seems like a lot of work. Are you doing it on your own?’

‘I’ve done the plans and had them approved, but not the rest. I’ve just been getting enough money together to make it happen.’

‘Did you enjoy planning it? Juliet said you were an architect. I was kind of surprised when she went on to say you’d moved back here from the city to go in with your brother on the station.’

‘Yeah, it was a change of direction, that’s for sure, but sometimes things happen to make sure you end up where you’re supposed to be, don’t they? Sometimes all the bright lights, big city thing can wear you down.’

‘It can. That’s true.’

‘After the whole engagement debacle, I realised I didn’t want to be there anymore. I’d brought up the subject a couple of times with my ex, but it never really came to anything. We came out a few times to visit and I could tell that she was desperate to get back to the city about ten minutes in.’

‘People change though. I never thought I’d see Juliet out here, on a place like this. We’ve only ever lived in big cities, and yet now it’s hard to imagine her anywhere else. She looks completely at home.’

‘I think the key is that you have to try. You have to have an open mind when it comes to change. It’s always scary but sometimes you just need to give it a chance.’

‘She’s very lucky, and I know she knows that.’ Hero smiled up at him briefly before resting her head back against him.

‘Ah, I think we’re the lucky ones. Finding someone as great as Jules to take Pete off our hands.’

Hero giggled, and he held her a fraction tighter, trying to remember when he’d heard her laugh like that in his company. He couldn’t.

‘I’m so glad your dad agreed to walk her down the aisle. She was nervous about asking him, I know.’

‘Dad was thrilled. From the first time they met Juliet, they already loved her like a daughter.’

‘You have a lovely family.’

‘Thank you. I know I’m lucky.’

‘You are.’

‘It seems a shame that she had to ask Dad though. That your own dad wasn’t here to do that with his daughter.’

As Hero’s body stiffened, he realised there was a raw nerve there. ‘He wouldn’t have deserved that honour, even if he had been alive.’

Nick felt the change in her breathing. So relaxed a moment before, and now short and staccato. The tension he’d felt drift away from her was back and he kicked himself for breaking the spell. Unsure what to do, he remained still, his arms around her loosely, leaving her free to move away from him, should she want to. Slowly he moved one thumb rhythmically back and forth over the bare arm beneath his hand.

Inside Hero’s head, memories spilled out. Memories that she had carefully stored away and done her best to hide. Her chest felt tight with hurt and anger that those memories still had the power within them to make her feel like she was nothing. Nothing but a burden.

‘I’m sorry if I said the wrong thing, Hero.’ Nick’s tone was low, almost a whisper, and even without looking at his face she knew it would be full of concern.

‘You didn’t.’

‘I know I’m a bloke, and therefore, at times will be able to put my foot in it whilst still being completely oblivious to that fact. But I’m pretty sure now isn’t one of those times.’