Falling for Danger

Cole's Ranch

Tori

“Well, then,” I muttered as I stepped off the wrap-around porch into the backyard. I smiled as I breathed in the aroma of grilled meat, fresh herbs, and a feeling of comfort. I spotted my brother standing proudly between his partners, Hank, and Corey, over by the BBQ they had recently purchased. It was their first time hosting the traditional Sunday BBQ, and I was so proud of them. It was clear that everyone was excited, myself included. The yard was decorated with strings of lights, a long table with a ton of snacks, and the distant smell of the surrounding vineyard only added to the charm of the day. I looked around, spotting all of the couples, catching up with friends and family while they kept an eye on their kids, who ran around with sticky fingers, and big smiles. However, it was while I was looking around that I noticed Cole wasn’t here. Had my brother not invited him? My heart sank. I didn’t think my brother would have deliberately not invited him since Cole was a part of the group. Or had he been invited, but had he possibly decided not to show up?

“There you are!” my brother called out when he spotted me. I smiled as I waved, but I headed over to where Naomi was sitting with Mandy and Vanessa.

“Hey,” I greeted as I sat down. The three women smiled welcomingly, but I noticed the small shift in Naomi’s demeanor. I didn’t want to pay much attention to that small detail, especially when she immediately included me in their conversation. Vanessa had recently found out she was pregnant and that was the hot topic.

“Damon keeps playing classical music because apparently it helps,” Vanessa remarked with a playful smile. I didn’t want to point out that Damon was right. Music did help with brain activity, stimulation, and an overall bonding experience. But I kept my mouth shut as I listened to them. Naomi then changed the subject to a family trip she was planning. I still couldn’t help but notice that even though she was being her usual friendly self, she was a bit distant with me. Was it because she had recently become a patient?

“Abigail has become obsessed with climbing everything in sight,” Naomi then said, her eyes shining. “She is quite a handful,” I turned my attention away, a bit annoyed with the conversation. They all seemed so happy. Settled. And it wasn’t that I was jealous, it was just that I felt a bit disconnected. Mandy and Mark didn’t have children, but that was by choice. I, on the other hand, didn’t even have a partner. And that was another thing that suddenly bothered me. All around me, people were having similar conversations. Conversations about family, and future plans with their partners and or children. I could hear Damon and Molly discussing baby names while Alastair and Jacob were bragging about their son, Jaxon. I realized that I couldn’t contribute to the conversation. Everyone was paired up and building their lives together. And then there was me. Single and still trying to find my place in Chasea. And it wasn’t as if anyone excluded me. I just didn’t have anything to add.

“And Asher is obsessed with making sure Hope is safe,” Erik said, and I glanced over at the man. He was a proud father as he talked about Hope crawling all over their home and how Asher followed her around to make sure she didn’t get hurt. As sweet as it was, I quietly slipped away from the crowd and headed to my car. Before I could second-guess myself or really think about it, I drove to Cole’s place. I had overheard Cole and Corey discussing his ranch when they helped me move and, while I hadn’t been there before, I figured it wouldn’t be that hard to find. However, as I left the vineyard and drove east, I realized that Cole lived further out than I thought. The trees grew thicker along the road and there were less and less happening around me. Just the open road and trees.

“Woah,” I murmured as I finally spotted his place nestled in a small clearing. A ranch with a wooden fence running along the perimeter, and I was surprised to see a couple of horses grazing lazily in the pasture. I drove through the open gate and headed up toward the house. I parked my car and slowly got out as I took a moment to take it all in. His property was breathtakingly beautiful. It was also rugged and wild, but it certainly wasn’t what I had imagined. It was almost like a quiet, hidden retreat. I admired the horses as they lifted their heads for a moment to watch me with mild curiosity before they returned to their grazing. I was so caught up in the scene that I didn’t even hear Cole approach.

“Tori,” he said, his voice low and surprised. I blushed as I startled slightly and looked at him. He looked so relaxed and at ease that it made me smile.

“Ah…hey, Cole,” I greeted him with a sheepish smile. “I hope you don’t mind me just showing up like this,”

“Not at all,” he said with a soft smile. “Would you like to come in?” he asked. I nodded in agreement as I took one more look around. I was taken aback by how stunning it was. It wasn’t fancy, but it felt like a home. Cozy and lived in. “Didn’t you go to the BBQ?” Cole questioned as we settled in his living room.

“It was nice,” I said. “They did a great job setting everything up,”

“I don’t mean to pry, Tori…but why are you here and not at the BBQ?” he asked, and I wasn’t going to lie to him.

“I just…I realized that they all have things in common. You know, their families, their children…and it was all about that, you know? Making plans, discussing baby names, and proudly talking about what their little one did and didn’t do…I felt…out of place,” I admitted.

“Yes, it isn’t easy being the one on the outside looking in,” he remarked, and there was something in his voice that made me realize he probably felt that way a lot too.

“Right…again, I’m sorry for just barging in like this uninvited and unannounced, I just…I needed some space,” I hurriedly apologized.

“You came to the right place for that…not a lot of people come out here,”

“I didn’t realize you had this whole setup. A ranch with horses,” I said sheepishly. While Cole hadn't been secretive, I hadn't asked him, and I felt a bit embarrassed that I didn’t know all that much about the man standing by the stove.

“I stumbled on this place by accident. I have always loved horses and…I took a chance and made an offer,”

“And here you are,” I said with a nod. Corey smiled, and I relaxed as I listened to him talk about the horses and what ranch life was like. I felt bad for leaving the BBQ, but I had to admit, I loved listening to Cole. Not only that, but I was completely relaxed. Best. Sunday. Ever.