Meant To Be

Chapter thirty

Zac and Ronnie galloped side by side in an easy rhythm. The sky running blue above them. Ronnie surrendered to the freedom. Limbs loose, head tipping back. Zac kept finding her. The bliss on her face magnetic.

They stopped at the highest point of the route that tipped down into the valley. Their gaze capturing the Smokey Mountains, stocky and strong out the yonder. Ronnie kept a strong grip on the reins, weary of the edge, air filling the space beyond.

"I bet you don't have views like that in Ireland," said Zac.

"Not like that but they're just as good." Sunday treks up Binevenagh Mountain came to Ronnie's mind. Breakfast packed the night before. A blanket to cushion the wild grass. The North Derry sunset that set the whole world on fire. "I hiked up around the Smokey Mountains before, but it was a good while ago now," Ronnie paused. "Me and my friend Lucy lived in Nashville for a year, for our university placement."

Zac's gazed was locked on Ronnie when she turned her head towards him. She had never seen anyone so perfect on a horse before. His body soft yet tall, wide shouldered, head high. "So why did you come here instead of Nashville?"

Ronnie thought about it before answering, breaking eye contact. "I didn't want to be in the city."

If Zac had learned this sooner, he'd have thought it odd, but Ronnie's handling of Hidalgo already made her different to most people. Needing earth under her feet made sense to him. "Not many stray as far as Bell Buckle. Most grow up unable to get out quick enough," said Zac.

"Bell Buckle's not the only place where that happens. When I was in my early twenties, everyone at home was taking off to Australia. A whole age group just up and left."

"And you didn't?"

"Nah. Going to live in one place isn't the same as seeing the world. I travelled a right bit before getting a full-time job, but I was happy living at home."

"Something must have changed."

"Yeah, something changed," Ronnie admitted, riding out a fresh dose of torment in hope of Zac's truth in return. But he held it tight. Keeping it from her. "Have you ever lived away?"

Zac pressed down into his heels, rising a little out of the saddle. "Nope. I was happy at home too."

"What about now?" Ronnie's heart twitched as Zac tugged his reins. His golden mare took a few steps back, making room before she turned. Ronnie refused to grow small at how easily Zac could blank her entire existence, as if she never mattered to begin with. Her hatred gathered like the wind only to realise he had stopped a few feet away. Ronnie clicked with her tongue. Hidalgo followed the golden mare and only when they were side by side did the elder horse begin to move again, the two animals falling into step with each other.

"I'm working on it," said Zac, looking ahead.

"Funny, that makes two of us."

Reaching the far side of the mountain, nature was loud as they ventured through the forestry. The stream gushed, winds whistled, birds singing from the treetops. They found the sturdy red and white cattle on the wide-open plains that followed. The majority too content grazing to lift their heads - except for the calves. Their ears pricked forward, eyes big and bright, their youth eager for life. Looking over the cattle's broad backs, Ronnie's estimation was close to a hundred. The herd stretching as far as the land. Walking among them, she analysed every cow like she knew what she was doing. They all looked normal enough, gripping their teeth on the grass, ripping it from its roots, breathing.

"What made you want to be a rancher?" asked Ronnie.

"I know nothing else."

"Did you like school?"

Zac turfed his eyebrows together, lodging 27 in his brian. Then he changed it to 31 as he passed another clump of cattle. "Yeah." He looked over at her. "Bet your surprised to hear that."

"I don't think you're some thick cowboy who can't count."

"Well, I'm doing a terrible job of counting these cattle right now."

"You never told me we had to count them!"

"It's not a team exercise."

"Seriously? I'm offering you help here Zac." When he didn't answer, Ronnie said she was going back to the start of the herd. Zac continued on. The thud of Hidalgo's hooves on the earth filled the hot air that stretched between them.

Ronnie had counted 18 cattle when she saw Zac galloping towards her. She grinned but put it away before he could see.

The sun was midway in the sky when Zac led them along the river as they headed back home. "About me becoming a rancher," he said. "I've always wanted to be here long term, but we were to take a year away, travel America, spend some time in Austin with Jacob. But dad died early. Young. Whatever you want to call it."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Ronnie hung on the word 'we', but the ice in his voice kept her from meddling.

"Yeah, me too." The timeline laid out in Zac's mind, the obvious possibility that he and Dena could've been somewhere else entirely that night. Ronnie caught him glaring at her with wicked eyes and smiled forgivingly in return.

"Jacob didn't get all the brains then?" she asked.

Zac smirked in spite of himself. Ronnie wished she could jar it. "Hell he did."

They reached Mrs Thompson's house in the late afternoon. Ronnie made plans to sit out front and read with a cup of tea. She had ordered a new book off Amazon. It arrived yesterday, delivered by a man with a black cap that threw his camel-coloured uniform all off. Seeing her name settled above the Tennessee address twisted her stomach.

Jumping off the horse Ronnie lifted the reins over Hidalgo's head and gave him a pat before handing them over to Zac. "Thanks for today. I forgot how much I love riding."

"Your counting skills came in handy too."

Ronnie smiled and said bye. Zac tipped his hat and watched her move towards the house. When she was inside, he squeezed his legs around the mare, beginning the final leg of the journey home. He hoped he would sleep tonight.