Chapter 1
2647 Words
CHAPTER ONE
ETHAN
SIX YEARS LATER
“Well s**t!” I say under my breath when I realize Cupcake got out again. Cupcake is an alpine goat who produces around a gallon of milk per day, but she’s also a little asshole.
It’s barely past six in the morning and way too early to be chasing animals, but that’s ranch life.
“Maaaa,” she screams in a tone that sounds like an angry old woman.
“Get your ass over here!” I say, pointing at the ground as if she can understand me.
“Maaaaa. Maaaaa. Maaaaa.”
Shaking my head, I let out an annoyed sigh and climb the fence. Cupcake narrows her eyes at me and backs away. This should be considered routine by now because it’s happened at least once a week for the past two months. Should’ve named her Houdini because she’s made escaping an art, and I can’t figure out how she’s doing it.
“You’ll never catch her!” I hear my uncle Alex shout from his truck. Not wanting to spook her, I flip him off instead of screaming what I want. People always think goats are stupid, but they’re not. They’re sneaky little things and enjoy a good game of chase. She wears a collar for this reason. It makes it a tad easier to grab her.
Taking a step forward, I place my hand in my pocket and pull out some dried apples, then hold them out for her to see. “You know you want it.”
She literally screams at me because it’s her favorite snack. When her curiosity causes her to take a step toward me, I reach out my hand farther.
Moments later, she moseys toward me and licks up the apples. I grab her collar. “Gotcha, asshole.”
As she chews, I lead her around the fence and through the main gate. I don’t know how she keeps getting out, and I’m halfway tempted to put up some game cameras because I don’t want her teaching the others.
“Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.” She yells as I take her into the barn. Shaking my head, I pass a few workers who help me with the goat operation as I go back to my office.
One of the ranch hands, Grayson, helps me out when he can. He’s a year younger than me, and we’ve hung out since he started working here about five years ago. He’s friends with pretty much everyone on the Circle B Ranch—well, with the exception of a couple of the girls. Then there’s Knox and Kane, my younger twin cousins, who also help when I’m shorthanded.
To be honest, though, I underestimated how much work establishing a goat farm would be. I don’t regret it, though, considering my goal was to help expand the family’s ranch, and it’s been very lucrative. Not to mention, the goats help clean the pastures too because they eat shrubbery and poison ivy that the cows won’t touch.
It started small with around a dozen goats, but when Uncle John ran the expense and income numbers, and we realized the high profit margin, we decided to expand. Now I’m dealing with over a hundred heads. We sell their milk wholesale. They’re all free roam too, which is why Cupcake thinks she can escape from time to time, but I’m glad to do it and contribute to the success of the family business.
Once I’m back in the office, I go over our daily goals with Payton and Luke—my right-hand workers.
“After lunch, I’d like you to put the alfalfa hay out. I had a trailer brought in yesterday, and it’s parked on the side of the barn,” I tell them.
They nod as I go over a couple more items. As soon as we’re on the same page, I head to the barn to check on things when I get a text from my sister.
Elizabeth: Good morning to my favorite sibling ever.
I shake my head because I’m her only brother.
Ethan: What do you want?
Elizabeth: Gasp! That’s no way to treat your pregnant sister! But since you asked…
I come out through the other side of the barn where feed has been put out. The goats couldn't care less about me because it’s breakfast and milking time. The funny thing about these animals is they will eat until they literally die, so it’s crucial they aren’t overfed. They’re milked twice a day, once in the morning and twelve hours later. We use machines to automate the process, so it’s easier and faster than doing it by hand. When I don’t immediately respond, she sends another text.
Elizabeth: I want pancakes. Please. Pretty please with sugar on top. Oh, definitely extra powdered sugar on them too. I’d love you forever and ever.
Ethan: You already offered that the last time you begged for something. Plus, some of us actually have to work today.
Elizabeth: I work too, brother. But I‘m all the way in town, and the B&B is like right next to you. And your niece really, really wants them. She’s told me as much with her urgent kicks this morning. Kick-kick. *Pan-cakes.*
I snort at the eager way she’s trying to talk me into this. Elle found out she was pregnant six months ago, and she’s used it to get whatever she wants since. You never tell a pregnant woman no, especially Elle. Her hormones will verbally attack me without apology.
Ethan: I’m sure she did. Or maybe she’s telling you she needs more room in there.
Elizabeth: Are you calling me fat?!
Ethan: I’d never.
Elizabeth: Did Maize make the blueberry and strawberry pancakes?
Our cousin Maize is the head chef at the family’s bed and breakfast. It’s located on the ranch, which means it can be flooded with Bishops at any given time. Her food is iconic in the area, and she’s never served a bad meal.
Ethan: Not sure. I haven’t been down there yet. Had an escapee to deal with after the sun rose. Also, I’m not driving fifteen minutes one way just to bring you pancakes. Where’s Connor? Make your hubs do it.
Elizabeth: He’s on an emergency call. I’ll take some blueberry muffins and sausage links too. Pleaseeeeee!
Now that Elle lives with her husband and stepdaughter, they’re closer to downtown than the ranch. Connor’s a vet like Elle and owns the only animal clinic in a fifty-mile radius, so his schedule is jam-packed. After she graduated from vet school, they became partners before falling in love and getting married.
Knowing I need to grab some things from the store anyway, I give in.
Elizabeth: Your niece is begging with little kicks. If she doesn’t get them soon, she’ll bruise my ribs!
Ethan: Okay! Okay! Fine. But don’t make this a habit. I’m only doing it one time.
Though I’m scolding her, she knows I’m only messing around.
Elizabeth: I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, LITTLE BROTHER!
Ethan: You better!
I shove my phone back in my pocket, then tell Payton I’ll be back within the hour and to send a text if he needs anything. He gives me a nod, and I make my way to the truck, then drive to the B&B.
As soon as I enter, the sweet smells of sugary bread and greasy bacon fill my nose. Considering I didn’t get a chance to eat this morning due to my runaway, I decide to get something too.
Grabbing a to-go box, I pile pancakes inside, but they hardly fit, so I have to get two more since Elle wanted sausage links too.
“Damn, feedin’ a family?” someone asks from behind. I turn to find a smirking Grayson.
“Basically. Elle roped me into delivering her food. When I was in college, people paid good money for this kind of service.”
Grayson laughs. “You’re the dumbass who agreed.”
“She used the pregnancy guilt trip again. What was I supposed to say, no? She’d probably go tattle or somethin’. The last thing I need is Grandma Bishop on my ass for not being a good brother.”
He picks up a plate and piles on food as I snag a biscuit and throw some bacon and scrambled eggs on the side. Quickly, I sit at a table and eat my makeshift breakfast sandwich in five big bites.
Riley and Diesel walk in, hooting and hollering about something. Riley’s my older cousin, and Diesel’s his best friend who manages the cattle operation. Though they’re both married with kids, they’re still rowdy and like to have a good time. As their voices grow louder, I see my uncle John, who runs the B&B, wearing a scowl as he rounds the corner and moves toward them.
“It’s too damn early for all of that. Quiet down. Some of the guests are still sleeping,” he scolds, lowering his voice to a hushed tone but still loud enough for us to overhear.
Gavin, Maize’s husband, stands behind them and shakes his head. Diesel and Riley get into a whisper-shout argument just as Knox and Kane rush through the door and push past them, snatching up plates and loading them with food like a fire was lit under their asses.
“You can’t cut!” Riley exclaims after Uncle John leaves.
“I can do what I want,” Knox tells him as he snatches a honey butter biscuit from Riley’s plate and shoves the whole thing in his mouth.
“You’re gonna choke actin’ like a fool,” Gavin says. He’s at least a decade older than all of us and is usually the voice of reason that no one listens to.
“Maybe he should,” I add just as the group of them joins my table.
“Where you goin’ with all that food?” Kane asks.
“Elle—”
He holds up his hand, grinning. “Say no more.”
After I’ve eaten another breakfast sandwich, I stuff Elle’s boxes in a bag.
Diesel and Riley continue their bickering like an old married couple as the twins chat with Grayson about some party this weekend.
I check the time, knowing I’ve been here too long. “I need to get goin’. I’ll see y’all later.”
Before they get too rowdy, I wave goodbye to Uncle John, then leave with the extra food.
As soon as I pull into Elle’s driveway, she immediately opens the door like she hasn’t eaten in weeks. She’s wearing hot pink slippers with a matching robe and headband.
“Oh my God, thank you,” she says as soon as I make my way to her porch. “You wanna come in?”
“I probably shouldn’t,” I barely get out as Olivia runs past her.
“Ethan!” she yells. The eight-year-old is full of spunk and personality. Though she’s Connor’s child from his previous marriage, we treat her as if she’s always been a part of the family.
“Hey, Ollie Bear.”
She smacks me at the nickname.
“I hope you brought enough for both of us,” Elle says, and I hand her the bag that’s stuffed full.
“Enough to feed a small army. There’s a ridiculous number of pancakes and sausage patties. Don’t worry, I didn’t forget anything.”
“Maize’s muffins?” Olivia asks, her whole face lighting up with excitement.
Elle nods. “Our little secret. Can’t tell your daddy I fed you sugar for breakfast.”
With a snicker, Olivia pretends to zip her lips. Elle takes a step forward and gives me a side hug. “Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. Enjoy!”
We say our goodbyes, and I make my way to my truck. Before going back to the ranch, I stop by the store and pick up the things my mom had asked me to get.
Since I’m single and my parents are doctors who work long shifts at the hospital, I still live at home. Due to their hectic schedules, I do the grocery store shopping so my mom doesn’t have to be burdened with it after a long day. This trip is mostly for the essentials—milk, bread, eggs, and coffee. I make a quick stop to unload everything off at the house before returning to the goats.
Living on the ranch is convenient for us who work here. All the Bishops built their houses on the land, and one day, I will too.
Once I’m back in my office, the rest of the day flies by without any more mishaps. Just as I’m making another round through the barn, I get a text message from Harper and immediately smile. We usually chat throughout the day, but right now, she’s traveling to a small business conference in Dallas.
Harper: We made it safely!
Ethan: Awesome! Have fun!
Harper: Oh yeah, totally.
She sends me an eye-roll emoji, and I laugh before going back to the task at hand. I stay until the evening feeding and milking has been completed, then head home. It’s been a long day, and I’m exhausted.
Saturday morning, I stop by the B&B before heading to the office. I fill up on bacon and eggs, then make my way to the barn to see how much milk we have in stock. Some locals have expressed interest in buying at wholesale, but I don’t want to promise something we don’t have since we have other businesses that preorder a certain amount each month.
While I go through our current inventory, the goats are in the process of being fed and milked. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I check the time. It’s barely past eight.
Harper: I am already NOT having a good time. Just kill me.
I snort because while she doesn’t like going, she always comes home with a lot of helpful information for the boutique.
Ethan: Don’t worry, you’ll be home tomorrow.
Harper: Well, it can’t come soon enough. I’ll have to tell you about what was said this time. Ugh. I haven’t had nearly enough coffee to deal with this bullshit.
Some snobby members of the organization always give Harper s**t or make her feel uncomfortable. She’s usually introverted in public settings, so it makes it even more difficult for her when she’s around a large crowd.
Ethan: Sorry! I wish you were home too. Apparently, Netflix has a few new original series we need to catch up on.
Harper: OMG! Don’t you dare start anything without me.
I chuckle to myself because this is what we do since there’s not much entertainment in Eldorado. We spend most of our free time bingeing TV series and watching movies. We have since we were in high school, then continued the tradition all through college.
Ethan: I’d never Netflix cheat! But yeah, hurry your ass home.
Harper: Deal!
Since graduating from college four years ago, Harper and I have only grown closer. I don’t go a day without talking or seeing her unless she’s traveling for work, and I like it that way.
A year after I opened the goat farm, Big Hart Boutique became a goat milk wholesaler, and Harper has spent countless hours perfecting soaps, lotions, creams, and other beauty products. She’s been so successful that it’s now her full-time job. Even though she sells her products at the family’s storefront, the majority of her sales come from online customers.
Hours pass, and when I realize it’s nearly three in the afternoon, I text Harper again to make sure she hasn’t murdered anyone yet.
Ethan: I’m proud of you for sticking it out.
Harper: Thank you. Only one more presentation, then I’m going to my room and hiding out until we leave.
Ethan: What time will you be home?
Harper: Probably around three. Mom wants to eat breakfast before we go.
Ethan: Sounds good. So I’ll see you tomorrow night?
Harper: Come hell or high water.
Ethan: That’s what I like to hear. If you’re bored later, text me!
Harper: I will :)
I finish up some last-minute things before calling it a day. The only person on my mind as I head home is Harper. Though we’re both single, we’re also content with how things are between us. She’s the only woman I’ve ever really loved, though I’m too stubborn to admit it to her or make a move. The timing still isn’t right, though I’m not sure it’ll ever be.
She’s busy building her boutique’s online empire, and I’m expanding the goat operation the best I can. We’re both focusing on work and spending time together when we can. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about things changing between us. I’m still holding out hope that one day she’ll be mine.
- Writer
