A Work in Progress

Stephanie

I glanced at my side mirror s the long highway brought me closer to home. They don't call it the Lonesome Highway for nothing. The wind blows through my messy bun as I sigh wondering what mess I will be walking in to. I graduated veterinary school about 8 months ago and immediately accepted a position in Texas at a Humane Society. I mainly took care of the farm animals but it's right where I wanted to be.
Until I got that phone call from my Mom. My father had passed away in his sleep. He had a major heart attack in his sleep, a widow maker is what the doctor called it. My mom had no clue what to do with my parents veterinarian clinic in the middle of nowhere Hope Springs, Montana. So here I am making the trip from Livingston, TX all the way here.
I never thought I would be back to the place that broke my heart all over again. Maybe I would get lucky and he wouldn't be there. But deep down I knew he would be. Taking care of his families ranch, riding horses and motorcycles, and not thinking of me. How pathetic a, I to still be hung up on an ex boyfriend? Colt Waller you are enemy number one in my book.
Sure, we dated from 8th grade until 6 months before I graduated. But I should be over it. I tried getting over him. Getting under a new hot cowboy is the easiest way to get over one! My best friend's annoying and completely false advice rang in my ear. Midge had been my best friend since kindergarten when I kicked Tommy Pulls face in for making fun of her glasses. After high school I went to vet school and went to cosmetology school to take over her mom's hair salon so her mom could retire. She's letting me stay with her for a while. Her boyfriend, Dallas Waller, (brother of the enemy) isn't happy about me being there but he doesn't get a say at her place.
I didn't even realize how close I was to my exit when the big green sign said Hope Springs next exit. I hadn't seen a sign in at least 50 miles. I begrudgingly pulled into the exit lane and rode down the small exit to immediately see the sign that said Hope Springs with a left arrow. I looked down to the right side knowing his ranch was about 20 miles down the road. I sighed as I took the left and followed the road till I saw the salons lights on. Every other store on our Main Street had been turned off since it was after 5. Except for the diner that no one went to unless there was a football game or it was Sunday. Midge stood outside with a sign that said WELCOME HOME in gold glitter. I parked my truck and jumped out to greet her.
"BESTIE!!!!" Midges scream could curdle dairy. I swear she has no volume button. Dallas stood behind her with his hands on his ears smiling apologetically at his girlfriend's antics.
"Oh sis I have missed you." She whispered in my ear as she wrapped her arms around me. The last time I had been home had been for the funeral and I know it wasn't a pleasant trip. My mother and I had a lot of planning to do and she had already left. Not wanting to be in this "god forsaken" place any longer than she had to. She probably went back to Colorado to be with her side of the family. I don't really have any contact with her other than what I am doing wrong in life.
"Hey Dallas." I said up at the 6'4" cowboy. He was the shortest of the Waller boys. There were three of them. Dallas, Beau, and Colt.
"Hey there Ducky." He said as he hugged me. Ducky is a horrendous nickname given to me by Dallas when I was chased by ducks at their ranch. First time I had met the family and the nickname stuck.
We got all of my stuff out of my truck and took it up to the apartment above the salon where Midge lived. I bought everything I had because I gave up my apartment in Livingston when I moved up here. Everything but the bed frame. I would be sleeping on a blow up mattress until I found my own place. Which is hoped was soon. I need to start looking tomorrow.
"Let's go eat!!" Midge yelled bounding into my room.
"I could definitely go for a burger and shake, let me shower I feel disgusting." I said quickly as I ran to the bathroom. About 20 minutes later I was throwing on some mascara and running out the door with Midge. Dallas had left to give us some space after he helped with the boxes. Which I thanked him like crazy for and apologized for taking shots Midge away for a while.
Midge and I laughed like crazy as we walked across the street with our arms wrapped up together. It was still summer so it was warm out and my black tank top and jeans were perfect. The bell chimed on the door as we both walked in. A few boys with cowboy hats were sitting in one corner of the diner so Midge and I sat on the opposite side near the front where we could look outside.
"Holy crap this place hasn't changed a bit." I mumbled.
"Well would you look at that Little Ducky has come back to us!" A loud voice boomed from the back of the restaurant. We looked up to see Lily, the owner, come out through the swinging door to the kitchen.
"Hey Miss Lily," I said smiling at her. She gave me a huge hug and I saw the group of guys i the corner looking up at me. But I only recognized one of them.

Colt. Shit.