STEF*

"Let's stop for the night, Mike! Get some dinner cooking and a fire started! Gather the guys! We'll corral the cows temporarily! I think we have covered enough ground today!" I shouted all of this to Mike since I was the trail foreman. He would pass on the word as I kick Rusty into a gallop to make my way to the trees. From the look of the sun, I guess it to be around 6, and I can feel my stomach rumbling.

As I jump off of Rusty, I lead him over to the nearby small stream to drink before taking my pack off my saddle. I'm hot, tired and cranky as Danny comes over to start the fire. "I really appreciate all of your hard work, Dan," I say to him as I unroll my sleeping bag.

I sigh as I sit and take off my boots to rest my hot feet while I pull out my phone. I don't even know why I brought it as there is hardly any coverage out here, but in case of emergencies or if Callie needs to get ahold of me, I did. I pull out my canteen too and take a long sip before checking my messages only to see some from Callie reporting on her day and telling me how Marley is doing as well as Daffin who lightly twisted his knee earlier this week. I reply to her messages before putting my phone away and help get our simple dinner started.

As we sit to eat, the guys make small talk, but I'm lost in thought. Mike comes over with his plate of food and sits next to me. "Boss, I heard a bad storm may hit sometime by tomorrow evening. I figured since we stopped earlier today, we could get up around 4:30 to get a head start."

I nod as I listen to him. "Ya, I mean, that sounds good to me. I figure we are close to home anyways. From my calculations, we should reach home around noon Thursday."

He finishes his biscuit before replying, "But if we don't miss that storm, it could be bad. I'm thinking about the horses and even the smaller cows that we would have issues with, but like I said, we may miss it if we leave early enough."

I sigh heavily as I finish my meal. "Well, you know we can't help the weather. No matter if we waited until next week to start the drive, we still could have run into issues." I stand and head down to the stream to grab Rusty, and as I do, my heart pangs at the memory of Lena.

Lena Adams. I haven't thought of her now for over a week since right before we started the drive. I blink back tears as I remember our short swim in the stream. How girly she was, and how I found it hard to believe she grew up in the country in the first place. How shy she was to undress, then when she realized it made no difference, she took off her tank and chucked it onto the rock. I remember blushing as my eyes roamed her toned body, and my mind went to all the things I wanted to do to her.

I blush at the memory before leading Rusty in close to the camp for the night. May as well turn in for the night as we have a rough day of travel planned for tomorrow.

LENA*

"I'm completely miserable, Kelly!" Tears are running down my face as I sit here crying to my friend. Jenna has already gone to bed with a headache, and I came out of my room for a drink thinking both were in bed. Kelly had come into the kitchen to see me crying.

"Oh, honey, I know you are. We can tell by how you've put off finding an apartment and how you've pulled away," Kelly rubs my back as I continue to cry.

"She never called me back or even texted me! I knew she'd never forgive me! What was I thinking?" I'm now wailing as I slide to the floor against the kitchen island, and Kelly moves to sit beside me as she takes my hand.

"Do you want to know my opinion?" She asks as she pushes my wild hair out of my face so she can see my eyes.

I look over at her as I sniffle like a baby, "Just spit it out! You know you want to." I sound forlorn and heartbroken.

"I think you should take your pretty little ass back there and eat crow. Keep your head low and write. She offered it and even texted that the offer still stands. So, take her for her word! Get your ass back over there and write! Show your face every once in awhile and make her remember you!"

I listen to her as she has a twinkle in her eyes which makes me giggle as I wipe the rest of my tears. "Well, I guess I should tuck my tail between my legs and go...but what about my job?"

"Forget the job, Len!!!! Jesus Christ! You hate it! It's not you anymore! Go live! Follow your dream and write! Not too many writers get this opportunity!" she pushes against me softly as she looks in my eyes. I'm so grateful for both Kelly and Jenna. I met them in college and we have stayed in touch since.

I reach over and wrap my arms around her as I reply, "Thanks, Kelly! I don't know what I would do without you two! You keep me sane!" I kiss her cheek and stand. "I caught a red eye here. I'm sure I can catch a red eye back."

She stands as well as she laughs softly, "Don't worry about hurting Jenna. She'll be beyond excited you finally stopped being so damn stubborn!"

I laugh as I head to my room and pull down my luggage. I'm both nervous and excited about actually doing something out of my comfort zone. I've never ever chased a woman, and I've never quit a job to actually write. This will prove to be an adventure and a half for me.

As my taxi pulls up to the ranch, my heart is racing out of control. Never in a million years did I think I'd find myself back here, but here I am. I look at my watch and see it's only noon, and I'm unsure what to expect. I make my way towards the guest house and am surprised to see it unlocked. As I turn the knob, I quietly walk in the room although I have no idea why I'm sneaking. I look around and everything is as I left it, neat and clean. As I run my fingers over the soft bedspread, I wonder where Stef is this time of day. I sit on the edge of the bed and stare at my phone.

I decide to call her, yet when I do, a message states the person I am trying to reach is out of range. I bite my bottom lip as I think. Out of range? My heart thuds as I try to come up with where she might be when it dawns on me that she's probably out somewhere working on the ranch. I laugh softly as this realization hits because most people are working this time of day. I quickly begin unpacking my things before I decide to call a cab into town so I can see about getting my car.