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Tyler's expression hardened again. "I get it. Just remember, I'm here for you too." His tone implied more than just friendly support, and it tugged at something deep within me.
"Thank you, Tyler. That means a lot," I said, feeling the weight of our conversation. "Safe travels, okay?"
He nodded, offering a small, somewhat forced smile. "I'll see you when I get back."
As he walked away, the distance growing between us felt more significant than just the physical space. I stood there for a long moment, watching him disappear down the path, a part of me wanting to call out, to say something—anything—that might bridge the gap. But I remained silent; the choices of the night before and the complications they brought were suddenly very real and heavy on my shoulders.
Turning back to the house, I exhaled a deep breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. The quiet of the ranch settled around me once more, but it was a different kind of silence now, one filled with decisions to be made and truths to face. The thought of Tyler driving off tomorrow, the space it would provide, was a relief, but it also left me with an acute sense of loneliness.
The sun was already high by the time I started my rounds on the ranch, the usual tranquility of the morning chores overshadowed by the undercurrents of tension among the staff. As I walked past the stables, I could feel the eyes on me—not all of them friendly. It was as if the investigation, with its probing questions and disruptive presence, had drawn lines in the sand, and some were deciding which side they stood on.
Pushing open the stable doors, I tried to focus on the familiar scents of hay and horse, letting them ground me as I greeted the animals. The soft nickers and the warmth from their bodies offered a comfort that the people around me no longer did.
"Mornin', Heather," grunted Sam, one of the older hands, as he passed by with a wheelbarrow. His tone was curt, very different from the jovial banter we usually exchanged.
"Morning, Sam," I replied, trying to catch his eye, but he didn't look up as he continued on his path. The chill in the air wasn't just from the autumn breeze.
I made my way to the tack room, where I found Maria, one of the few who hadn't changed towards me. She was organizing some of the gear, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Hey, Maria. How's it going?" I ventured, leaning against the door frame.
She glanced up, her expression softening. "Oh, hey, Heather. Just trying to keep things in order here. Some of the others are... well, you know."
I nodded, understanding all too well. "Yeah, I've noticed. It's like walking on eggshells around here."
Maria sighed, setting down a saddle. "It's this whole mess with the cops. People are scared, Heather. They're worried about what's going to come out."
I swallowed. "I know. I just wish they'd see I'm trying to do what's best for the ranch."
"You and me both," she replied, giving me a reassuring smile. "You need help with anything?"
"Actually, yeah," I said, grateful for the offer. "Could you help me check the fences out by the north field? I think some of them might need repairs."
"Sure thing," she agreed, and we set out together, leaving the uncomfortable atmosphere of the stable behind us.
As we walked, I could feel the strain of the past weeks catching up with me. The suspicion, the secrets—it was eating away at the camaraderie we once had. Tyler's absence was felt more keenly than I'd anticipated, his usual presence a buffer against the brewing storm.
The fence line stretched out under the vast expanse of sky. As we checked each post, I found my thoughts drifting to Danny. Last night had changed something between us, something profound and unnervingly intimate. I wondered how we could possibly return to a professional relationship after what had happened.
"Everything okay, Heather?" Maria asked, pulling me from my reverie.
I forced a smile. "Just a lot on my mind, you know?"
She nodded, understanding without needing further explanation. We worked in silence for a while, the only sounds the wind rustling through the grass and the occasional clang of metal as we tightened bolts and checked for damage.
By the time we finished, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon. We headed back to the barn, the day's labor a temporary distraction from the challenges that lay ahead.
As we neared the stable, I paused, taking in the quiet that had settled over the ranch. "Thanks, Maria. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Anytime, Heather," she replied, patting my shoulder before heading inside.
I stood there for a moment longer, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. The peace of the landscape was a sharp contrast to the storm that was surely coming. With a deep breath, I steeled myself for whatever lay ahead, knowing that the next few days—or weeks—would test the limits of everything I thought I knew about my home, my family, and myself.
The moment I closed the door behind me, I knew I needed to call my dad.
"Hello?" My father’s voice came through the line.
"Hi, Dad. I... I need to talk to you both about something important," I started, pausing at the kitchen window to gaze out at the dimming landscape. "It’s about Aunt Dina’s ranch... and something else."
