Beyond the skyline

Possibilities - 6

Dear Diary,

Today was one of those slow, golden Sundays that feels like the calm after the storm of an unforgettable night. Laura and I decided to hit up the Sunday market for some fresh air, coffee, and, of course, a little post-rodeo gossip session. Little did I know that a simple stroll past stalls of organic veggies and homemade candles would flip my world upside down—again.

We were browsing through a table of handwoven blankets, sipping our lattes, when Laura brought up something that stopped me mid-sip.

“So,” she said, in her trademark casual tone that’s anything but, “you know how I mentioned my coworker Rachel is transferring to the city office?”

“Yeah?” I replied, half-distracted by a vendor selling homemade pies.

“Well, they’re looking for someone to take her place at the local ranch.”

That got my attention. I turned to her, raising an eyebrow. “Wait, the ranch-ranch? Like the ranch? With the horses and barns and cowboy hats?”

“Yep,” she said with a smirk. “It’s only a 20-minute drive from your place, and you’ve been complaining about wanting a change. You should think about it.”

“Me? At a ranch? What would I even do there?” I laughed, but the idea planted itself in my head and started to take root.

“It’s still office work,” she explained. “You wouldn’t be out there wrestling cattle or anything. But you’d get to work on-site, maybe help coordinate events, meet new people…”

It didn’t sound so crazy the more I thought about it. A shorter commute, a chance to escape the monotony of my current 9-to-5, and the opportunity to be surrounded by wide-open spaces instead of fluorescent lights? Not to mention, the ranch is kind of a local gem—everyone talks about it like it’s the heart of the community.

“Okay,” I said, testing the waters. “I guess I could look into it. Maybe it’s time for a change.”

Laura grinned. “I knew you’d say that. I already told Rachel you might be interested.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. Leave it to Laura to jump three steps ahead.

We kept wandering through the market, talking about the pros and cons of the idea. Of course, the conversation quickly veered back to last night.

“So,” Laura said, a teasing lilt in her voice, “how’s the cowboy hat holding up? Still clutching it like a lifeline?”

“Oh, shut up,” I laughed, trying to play it cool. But she wasn’t letting it go.

“Seriously, though. That whole thing with Cole? Unbelievable. I mean, who just throws their hat to someone like that? It’s like he was in a romance novel.”

“Trust me, I’m still trying to figure out if that actually happened,” I admitted. “I mean, he’s gorgeous, obviously, but…”

“But what?”

“I don’t know. It’s probably just a rodeo thing, right? A little harmless flirting?”

Laura gave me a knowing look. “Flirting? Sure. But harmless? I don’t think so, babe. He wasn’t just looking at you; he was looking at you.”

I rolled my eyes, but my heart wasn’t convinced. It was still doing that little fluttery thing every time I thought about his smile—or that wink.

We were passing a stand selling succulents when Laura froze. “Wait a minute,” she said, grabbing my arm.

“What?”

“The ranch. Cole’s family owns it.”

My latte nearly slipped out of my hand. “What?”

“Yeah! I knew his name sounded familiar. He’s a co-owner or something. His family’s been running it for years.”

“Are you kidding me right now?” I whispered, my voice somewhere between panic and disbelief.

“Nope,” Laura said, looking far too pleased with herself. “So, if you transfer there, you’re not just working at any ranch. You’re working at his ranch.”

Diary, I swear my brain short-circuited. The thought of running into Cole at work—of possibly seeing him every day—was enough to make my heart race. Was this some cosmic coincidence or the universe’s idea of a practical joke?

“Okay, now I’m nervous,” I admitted. “What if I say something dumb? Or trip over my own feet? Or—”

“Relax,” Laura said, patting my shoulder. “You’re overthinking it. If he likes you—and trust me, he does—you don’t have to do anything except show up and be yourself.”

Easy for her to say. She wasn’t the one whose brain turned to mush every time he flashed that ridiculously charming smile.

Still, as we left the market, the idea of working at the ranch didn’t seem so crazy anymore. Maybe it was time for a change. Maybe this was exactly what I needed.

And maybe, just maybe, it was the start of something I hadn’t even dared to dream about yet.

Yours,

Potential Future Cowgirl