Sassy Cowgirl Kisses by Kathy Fawcett
Chapter 57
“Yellowstone reported snow today,” Gunnar was sipping coffee at the ranch office, flipping through a local newspaper. Rowdy looked up with interest, but Ash kept his head down as he ate pancakes and link sausage.
He’d worked quietly over the past few weeks, watching summer come to an end.
In Wyoming, the transition from shirt sleeves to jackets happened overnight. Thankfully, Ash kept warm clothing in a locker at the ranch. He was ready for anything. Along the mountainsides, the deciduous trees had changed to a bright yellow, and pops of red and orange could be seen in the underbrush.
While in Michigan, Ash reveled in the change of seasons. But this year, it only served to remind him of the mess he’d made of summer, and of the sweet kisses and golden girl he’d held in his arms, then pushed away in his stubbornness.
“Come visit for the fall colors,” Erik had invited the last time they spoke, hoping to cheer up his friend. “We’re all going to Charlevoix for a massive bonfire. You and I can sail the big boat to its winter storage location. It’ll be a blast.”
Ash promised to think about it.
In the meantime, he told Casey to find another renter for his bungalow, because he couldn’t bear seeing the happy newlyweds who moved into the house next door to his, where Sassy and Freda spent so many weeks. He also avoided the main house of the ranch and all the family that resided there—especially Kat, who suddenly reminded him of Sassy.
Why had he not seen the resemblance for himself?
He slept in the bunkhouse at night like a seasonal ranch hand and kept to himself during the day. He avoided family gatherings and stayed away from town, and from Amber. Ash knew he owed her an apology and wanted to be sincere and contrite.
She must not be too angry with him, because she’d sent a text only a day or so ago.
“Stop by sometime and see me,” she said. “Do some early Christmas shopping.”
Christmas! Life was truly moving on,Ash thought, with or without him. Especially if locals were starting their Christmas shopping already.
A week later,Ash West walked down an empty main street in West Gorge, looking like a man heading to the gallows. An empty soda can lead the way, rolling around in the chill wind. He kicked it a couple of times before picking it up, then tossed it into a recycling bin by the post office.
He sat down heavily on a bench and dropped his head in his hands.
Lifting his eyes, Ash gazed at the town of West Gorge. What he saw was dry pavement and dusty awnings. One or two storefronts sat empty, and a flier for a garage sale flew down the street until it landed under a parked truck.
“Is this the town I gave up love for?” Ash’s heart felt dry and cracked under the pain.
Even so, Ash could see that the town wasn’t all grim. On the positive side, the main street held Daisy Shire’s gallery, the Donut Den, and a small breakfast and lunch diner. The early-rising locals frequented this café before the sun came up most mornings.
There was also the large Mercantile. The window displays were as colorful as they could be as they promoted the functional clothing required in the rugged Wyoming wilderness. Sassy once said they sold shirts that felt like they were made from old tarps.
Ash gave a half smile at the memory—she wasn’t far from wrong.
Looking at the town again, Ash saw the Amber Waves store had a steady stream of tourists and locals streaming in and out, carrying shopping bags and laughing at private conversations.
Was Sassy right—should he be with Amber?
It’s true that his old high school friend would never leave the town, or the state, or him for that matter. Was that enough? Could they be like couples of old who married based on necessity instead of romance; who poured their energy into taming West Gorge?
Was Amber’s willingness enough to make them both happy?
“No, you idiot!”
Ash scolded himself. He knew he’d just be repeating the history he was desperate to avoid. By marrying Amber, he’d create a miserable family because he would be miserable. They would splinter apart through bitterness and regret. Ash knew he couldn’t possibly give Amber what she desired, and she deserved so much better than a half-hearted, insecure orphan disguised as a worthwhile man.
Hanging his head again, Ash commiserated with the soda can, which was pushed this way and that by invisible forces. He was just as empty and rudderless.
But then, something caught his attention. Voices carrying from Amber Waves that sounded familiar in an unsettling way as words travelled across the road to where he sat. Looking up, Ash’s mouth dropped open and he couldn’t believe his eyes.