My Cowboy Prince

Chapter 21

The late afternoon sun that filters through the branches of the oak tree, cast dappled shadows across the ground. I am seated beneath its sprawling limbs on a weathered bench with a plate of leftover pasta infront of me. The Zoom meeting earlier still lingers in my thoughts, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. Jordan and the rest of the team had done their best to maintain a brave face, but the uncertainty hanging over our department was palpable. We discussed contingency plans and how to keep morale up, but the reality is, we’re all waiting for the other shoe to drop. The rumors about the executive from another firm taking over as CEO, with his son set to follow, only add to the tension. No one knows what’s going to happen, and the unease gnaws at me.

I try to push those worries aside as I take a bite of my lunch. Grandma Bea’s announcement at breakfast about the ranch being booked out for the next two months had been a rare piece of good news. Their social media platforms are thriving too. It's a small victory that brings a smile to my face, especially when I recall the displeasure on Kimberly’s. At least, something’s going right.

As I lose myself in the momentary peace, the sound of footsteps approaching draws my attention. Luke’s familiar figure appears in my peripheral view, his expression is soft but tinged with uncertainty.

"Mind if I join you?" he asks in a gentle voice.

I shake my head, offering him a small smile. "Sure, have a seat."

He sits down beside me, and for a moment, there’s silence between us. I can tell he’s still thinking about last night, about our missed opportunity to reconnect. The man looks out over the ranch, his gaze is distant, before finally turning back to me with an apologetic look.

"I’m sorry about last night," Luke begins in a sincere voice. "I didn’t mean to make ya feel pressured."

I set my plate aside and face him to try to put him at ease. "It’s okay, Cowboy. I know you were just trying to help me take my mind off things. I appreciate it, really."

He nods, but there’s still doubt in his eyes. "I just… I guess I was a little worried. I don’t want to mess things up between us, and I don’t want you to think I’m pushing too hard."

His concern tugs at my heart, and I reach out, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "You’re not messing anything up. We’re just figuring things out, and that’s okay."

Relief flickers across his face, but he still seems hesitant. After a moment, he clears his throat and his voice takes on a more serious tone.

"Can I ask you something, Amelia?"

"Of course," I reply, curious about what’s on his mind.

He shifts slightly, as if gathering his thoughts. "Do ya… have a boyfriend?"

The question catches me off guard, and I blink at him in surprise. A wave of offense rises in me, and I sit up a little straighter. "No, I don’t," I say, a bit more sharply than I intended. "If I did, I would’ve let you know."

Luke immediately looks contrite, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset ya. It’s just… I thought maybe you did. Something about the way you were talking to Jordan…"

Confusion mixes with amusement swirls on my mind, and then I burst out laughing. The tension between us melts away with each chuckle. Luke looks puzzled at first, but then his expression softens as he watches me laugh.

"Jordan?" I manage to say between laughs. "Luke, Jordan is my assistant! I mentioned her, remember? It was like… the first day or something."

Realization dawns on his face, and he shakes his head with a sheepish grin tugging on his lips. "I completely forgot. I’m sorry, I feel like an idiot now."