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I nodded, understanding the importance of the opportunity. "Of course, you have to go. It’s a great chance to showcase what we do here. Just, you know, it’s a bummer you’ll be gone."
Tyler smiled, a twinge of regret in his expression. "I know, I hate the timing. But I’ve prepped everything you’ll need for the next week. And I’ll be back before you know it."
I smiled back, trying to hide my disappointment. "I guess I’ll just have to manage without my right hand for a week."
"Exactly," he chuckled. "You’ll do great, Heather. You’ve got a natural touch with these animals. They listen to you."
We talked a bit more about the specifics of what he needed me to keep an eye on while he was away, and then, with a final wave, he headed off to prepare for his trip.
Left alone with Midnight, I finished up our session, feeling pride and a twinge of loneliness. Tyler had become not just a colleague but a friend, someone I’d come to rely on. His absence would be felt, both in the stables and personally.
Deciding to use this time as an opportunity, I resolved to better reacquaint myself with Silver Creek. The town had been a backdrop to my hectic introduction to ranch life, but now, maybe I could start putting down some roots and connect with the community.
Later that afternoon, after ensuring everything was squared away at the ranch, I drove into town. The streets were lined with quaint shops and small local businesses that gave the town its character. I parked outside Rosie’s Diner. It was still a local landmark, according to Tyler.
Stepping out of my car, I took a deep breath, the air tinged with the scent of grilling meat and fresh baked goods. It was a small step, but walking into Rosie’s felt like a move towards becoming part of this community, a way to bridge the gap between being the outsider and being a resident.
The bell jingled as I pushed open the door to the diner, the sound bright in the quiet hum of conversation. The warmth of the room, filled with the aroma of coffee and frying bacon, wrapped around me. I paused just inside, my eyes adjusting to the interior’s cozy glow. My breakfasts that summer with Dina flashed through my mind.
It was early enough that the breakfast crowd was thinning out, leaving a few scattered patrons lingering over their coffee. I chose a booth near the window, hoping to enjoy the view of Main Street while I ate.
The server, a middle-aged woman with a warm smile, approached soon after I sat down. Her nametag read "Marlene."
"Morning!" she greeted cheerfully. "You look new to town... but also kind of familiar. Are you visiting?"
I settled into the seat, smoothing the napkin on my lap. "I guess you could say I'm sort of new. I haven’t been here in years. My aunt was Dina Kent, the owner of Horseshoe Lake Ranch. I'm here to take over after her passing."
Marlene's expression shifted almost imperceptibly at the mention of Dina's name. The warmth in her eyes cooled, and her smile seemed to tighten. "Oh, I see. Yes, Dina was well-known around here," she said, her voice trailing off slightly as she placed a menu in front of me with less care than before.
"Thank you," I said, picking up the menu, but I could feel her lingering a moment longer, and her demeanor changed. Without another word, she turned and headed straight for the bar, where she whispered something to another server. This second server, a younger woman, glanced over at me with a mixture of curiosity and something I couldn't quite place—was it suspicion?
I tried to shake off the unsettling feeling creeping up my spine and focused on the menu, deciding on pancakes and coffee. When Marlene returned to take my order, her smile was back in place, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
"Will that be all for you?" she asked, jotting down my order.
"Yes, that’s all, thank you," I replied, trying to sound as casual as possible.
She nodded and walked away, her steps quick and efficient. As I waited, I noticed the ripple of whispers washing through the diner. Heads bent close, eyes flicking towards me, then quickly away when they met my gaze. It was unsettling, the atmosphere charged with an unspoken tension.
I sipped water from the glass in front of me, trying to appear absorbed in the view outside the window, but my attention was scattered. What had changed so suddenly? Was it something to do with Aunt Dina? The ranch? My mind raced with possibilities, none of them comforting.
The diner’s warm, inviting charm had soured, the whispers and stares making the space feel smaller, more confining.
Despite the growing discomfort, I resolved to see this meal through. This was my town now, too, and I needed to understand its currents, its moods. Understanding the community’s reaction to me was just another part of taking up the reins at Horseshoe Lake Ranch.
"Here you go, enjoy," Marlene said, her smile professional but devoid of warmth as she set down a plate of pancakes and a steaming mug of coffee in front of me.
"Wait," I called out just as she started to turn away. The murmurs around me had risen to an uncomfortable hum, and I needed answers. Marlene paused, a flicker of embarrassment crossing her face as she turned back to face me.
"Why is everyone talking about me?" I asked, my voice more forceful than I intended. The diner quieted a fraction, nearby conversations pausing as ears tuned in to our exchange.
Marlene glanced around nervously, her demeanor shifting. "Well, it’s just... we heard you were coming to town," she started hesitantly. "People are curious, that's all."
"But why did everything turn so frosty the moment you knew who I was?" I pressed, not satisfied with her vague reply. The initial warmth of my arrival had chilled rapidly, replaced by whispers and wary glances that didn't add up to mere curiosity.
Marlene sighed, her professional facade slipping as she leaned a little closer. "Look, they just heard some... things... about the ranch," she whispered, as if afraid to be overheard.
Stunned and increasingly angry, I set my fork down with a clatter. "What kinds of things?" I demanded, my patience wearing thin.
