Travis eased up on the gas as he entered town.
Moose Creek, the sign read. Gateway to Yellowstone.
His heart raced at the sight. He’d driven half the night, but all weariness fled now. The day had finally arrived, and he was here. Mere miles from Shay.
It had been so long, a full five months since he’d left. Since she had tossed him from the property. What would she say when she saw him?
He feared she’d kick him from her land without giving him a chance to explain. Travis wiped his sweaty palms down the length of his thigh. She’d hear him out whether she wanted to or not. He’d tossed her over his shoulder once before, and he’d do it again. He loved her, and it was time she believed it.
He stopped at the office on Main Street and collected the envelope before heading toward the Barr M. Buck had been cooped up in the trailer since Texas. He’d ride the horse over to Shay’s and allow him a little hard-earned freedom.
Spring was dragging its feet in the valley. Gray clouds stretched across the expansive sky. The vegetation had yet to green, and snow still clung to the rocky peaks of the Gallatin Range. In the distance pine trees added dark splashes of green to the landscape, otherwise still clothed in the drab colors of winter. Alongside the road, the Yellowstone ran quick and deep, flushed by snowmelt off the mountains.
When he arrived at his folks’ ranch, he fed and watered Buck, saddled him despite the slow drizzle that had started, and turned toward Shay’s place. He’d catch up with Jacob later. Right now he only had one thing on his mind.
Shay was probably nearing the end of calving season. He wondered how many nights she’d been up, assisting in births. Hopefully not too many. He’d used light birth-weight bulls with her first-calf heifers.
He missed working her ranch. Missed working with her. He wondered if she missed his help. Wondered if she missed him.
She hadn’t filed for divorce at least. He told himself it wasn’t because of the costs involved. Maybe she held out hope that they’d work it out.
He’d find out for sure in a few minutes. He’d know when he saw her. Shay was good at hiding her feelings, but he wasn’t just any old neighbor. She was his first love, his soul mate. He’d know when she saw him how she felt about his return. For better or worse.
Travis patted the envelope in his shirt pocket, reassuring himself that it was there. He felt for the lump in his jeans pocket as he crossed the shallow spot of the creek.