Page 33 of Saltwater Cowboy

When the last customer left, I finally sank into my chair, exhaustion settling into my bones. That’s when I noticed Charlie standing in the doorway.

“Ready to head home?”

I exhaled slowly. “I just need to straighten up first. Maybe another half hour.”

“I’ll come in early and take care of it,” he said. “You’ve had a long day—let’s go.”

Too tired to argue, I grabbed my bag and followed him to the truck.

“Pizza okay for dinner?” he asked as I climbed in.

“Yeah, of course.”

As soon as I settled into my seat, my eyelids grew heavy. The weight of the day pressed down on me—physically, mentally. The move back to Seattle lingered at the edge of my thoughts, a quiet but persistent reminder of the uncertainty ahead.

The crunch of gravel signaled our arrival. The truck rolled to a stop, and I stepped out without a word, heading straight inside.

“Rose, how was—oh.” Blythe stopped in her tracks. “You look exhausted.”

“I am.” A yawn escaped before I could stop it. “Do I have time for a quick shower before dinner?”

“Of course. Take your time. Wren won’t be hungry for a while.”

I trudged upstairs, each step feeling like I was dragging a thousand pounds. Once inside my room, I shut the door and sank onto the plush rug, letting the softness cradle me. My chest tightened, the threat of tears building.

I didn’t want to go back to Seattle. I didn’t want to admit defeat.

No matter how much Blythe and Charlie reassured me, I still felt like a burden. Even with tips from the coffee shop, it would take forever to afford rent, groceries, utilities. And without a car, everything felt even more impossible.

I could book a flight tomorrow and slip right back into my old life. The yoga studio would take me back. Maybe, if I swallowed my pride, so would Thad.

The thought made me sick.

Shoving it aside, I forced myself up and into the shower.

By the time I returned downstairs, I felt like a new woman. My freshly washed blonde hair was braided, a light coat of mascara lifted my lashes, and though I still had no idea what my future held, at least I looked put together.

“Auntie Rose!” Wren’s voice called from down the hall. “Come here!”

I found her in her room, holding up two shirts.

“Can you help me pick an outfit for tomorrow?” she asked.

“What’s happening tomorrow?”

“It’s W Squared Day,” she said, as if I should already know. “I think I’m gonna wear jeans, but should I wear my pink shirt with the little flowers or the white one with the sunflower?”

She held up both, and honestly, they were equally adorable.

“I like the pink one.”

She nodded vigorously. “Me too. Thanks!”

Without another word, she grabbed my hand, leading me downstairs.

“Mom! Auntie Rose helped me pick out my outfit for W Squared Day!”

Blythe smiled. “That was nice of her. Did you say thank you?”