To Not Let Go

Chapter Seven

     The numbers on the computer screen were beginning to blur, due to the long hours Renne had been staring at them. Letting out a heavy sigh, she slammed down a stack of papers onto the desk beside her laptop, leaning back in the creaky wooden chair. Running a hand over her forehead, Renne was beginning to wonder if running  both locations of her ranch, mainly by herself, was becoming too much for her to handle. Usually, she was really good at her job, but ever since she had gotten back to Alpine Ridge, she had seemed more distracted than usual. 

      As if he had read Renne's mind about being distracted, Swayde walked into the office after politely knocking on the open door. Wrapping both of his arms around Renne's chest, Swayde leaned over the back of the wooden desk chair, kissing Renne's temple. Glancing at the computer screen, he inquired, "Whatcha workin' on there?" He nodded towards the Excel sheet, seeing the numerous papers scattered across the old, oak desktop. 

        Letting out a sigh, Renne rested a hand on top of Swayde's that was still around her chest. With her free hand, she scrolled through the various pages on her laptop. "Financial records, bills, new clients list, cost of production...you name it, I'm lookin' at it." Moving her gaze to the stacks of papers, Renne added, "For convenience, I am trying to copy down everything that is in paper form, and put it onto the computer, but with everything else I have to get done, it's seeming like an impossible task." Sputtering her lips, Renne remarked, "There is just so much to do." 

       Swayde's hands let go of their hold around Renne's chest to move to her shoulders, giving them a rub. It was clear that she was in desperate need of relaxation, due to how tense her muscles were. "Seems like you could use some help." It was a statement, rather than a question.

        "But this is my job. This is what I do for a living. It's just that, and I hate to say it, but it was so much easier in Montana with-" Renne stopped herself; she was about to say "with Matt there to help with the business and financial side,"  but she knew how those words would sound to Swayde coming out of her mouth. Instead, Renne refrained, "with the help of my other employees there. And since we have talked about moving Healing Hearts' headquarters here to Alpine Ridge, there is an unending to-do list." Under Swayde's skilled back-massaging hands, Renne felt herself relaxing just a little bit more, knowing he would always be there to help her, even if it meant helping her regain her focus by encouragement. Either way, the stress of having to break the news about Montana to Swayde was something that was growing concern in her stomach; she had to tell him soon before it was too late. 

       "Well, I have an idea. But first, it sounds like you could use a quick distraction." 

        Renne playfully rolled her eyes as she grinned, turning her head to look up at Swayde. "You have already distracted me."

       "Well, then let me draw out that distraction to make you lunch. Come on." He quit rubbing Renne's shoulders to grab her hand, making the chair swivel towards him.

         "But I have so much to get done." Renne pouted, sticking out her bottom lip in a teasing way.

        "It will be a quick lunch. It won't take much of your time, I promise." 

        "You said that about de-worming last week, and we were out there the entire day." 

        "True, but as soon as we are done eating, I will help you look over the business stuff." Swayde promised, still holding Renne's hand. 

       "You said that the other day as well." Renne winked, smiling up at Swayde. She knew that her stomach was mad at her for not eating all day, and she could most certainly use a break, but she was enjoying watching Swayde try so hard to pull her away from her job.