"Where are you headed? You just got back from town."
"Yeah, but now I have to go to the bank. I have to get some cash for tomorrow."
Luke chuckles. "There you go. I like this side of you, Cole. Fighting for what you want. Good luck."
I get back in my truck and hit it right back to the town where I just came from and park right at the front of the bank.
I hold open the door for the woman who's exiting, and she thanks me.
Right away I see Brady standing next to a young woman I don't recognize. They're laughing and he rests a hand on her shoulder.
Grumbling, I walk to a bank teller, sure that Brady is as sleazy as I always thought. He's telling people at the bar he's going to win Laura's basket, and then he's talking to this lady like there's something special between them.
"How can I help you, son?" the teller asks.
"I'm trying to make a withdrawal," I say, looking back over my shoulder at Brady in his three-piece suit.
He doesn’t scare me one bit.
With confidence, I turn back to the teller. "A large withdrawal."
I walk back to my car with my envelope of cash, hating that Brady wants to win Laura's basket, knowing she needs a real man to protect her. She may not want a cowboy, but that’s because she doesn’t know me yet.
Driving back down that dusty road, I can't help but wish I was a fucking mafia lord or a prince with a palace instead of a country boy through and through.
Still, maybe I can convince Laura that a cowboy is what she needs.
I may not be flying in private jets, but I can ride a horse, and more than that, I could be her man if she let me.
4
LAURA
In the morning after my uncle Leroy has left for the barn raising, I'm alone in the kitchen with my aunt Ella.
"The ranch hands have all left too," she tells me as she finishes drying the last breakfast dish. "Thank God that rainstorm from yesterday was short-lived. It's going to be a beautiful day, not too hot, but warm enough to keep everybody in good spirits," she says. "Do you need any help with your basket?"
I twist my lip, thinking. "Um, I think I'm good. Tell me if I'm missing something. You're the best cook I know," I tell her.
She smiles warmly, placing a hand on my back. "Well, you learned from me, so I'm thinking your basket's got to be pretty good too. What did you make?"
"I used your meatloaf recipe. I made the loaf on Friday, so I think it'll be perfect for cold meatloaf sandwiches. I made this corn salad. You know the one that Uncle Leroy likes so much?"
"Good thinking."
"And a potato salad too. I know all the cowboys like meat and potatoes."
"Smart girl," Aunt Ella says. "And what about drinks?"
"I have a big thermos of lemonade."
"Now, did you make it from a package or…?"
I laugh. "What do you take me for? I'm a good old Texas girl," I say with a laugh. "You taught me right, Aunt Ella. I made fresh-squeezed lemonade and I have two glasses for it. I got the plates, silverware, napkins. And I'm going to bring that quilt I made the summer I turned 16."
"I remember that one, with the violet squares. And for dessert?"
I smile, pulling the pie out of the basket. "This is the pièce de résistance," I say with a flourish, revealing the perfectly baked, lattice-crusted cherry pie.
"Well, that is beautiful," she says. "I think you got a good meal here, dear."
"Am I missing something though?" I ask.
"Well, I know you made meatloaf sandwiches, but I think you could bring a jar of my bread and butter pickles. They're so good."
"You'd let me have a jar of those?"
"Of course," she says, walking into the pantry and handing me a mason jar of the pickles she put up last year. "You have any idea of who might be going for your basket?" Aunt Ella asks.
I shrug. "I'm not sure. I figure Brady's talking a big game. Every time I go into town, that man, he finds me."
"Well, after you left after last year's auction, he came around quite a bit asking about you."
"I know," I say. "I didn't mean to leave town like that. And it wasn't because of him. It was because of Dad."
"I know," Aunt Ella says. "But your father is not your responsibility, Laura. You're your own person now. You're 21. And you working for me here at the ranch has been a blessing. You know that, right? But if you want to do something else with your life, pursue something, your uncle and I are here to help. I know your dad's not in a place to do that, but we are. If you want to go back to college, you can."