“Start small. Let’s go visit that artist’s studio. Yes, I’ll go with you.”
“I've been thinking about working somewhere for the experience. I might be able to get a part-time gig teaching drawing or something at one of the local junior colleges.”
“Well, there you go. It’s complicated, I know. But it's a step in the right direction.”
“A former art professor of mine has reached out to me about it. Even though I got my degree in agricultural business, she always encouraged my love of art.”
“You should pursue it. Now, when are you gonna talk to your folks?”
“I don’t know. They have a lot on their mind. You know, with Janie in the military and all. There's always something going on with the ranch. And Libby. She’s my youngest sister. Then Travis is the baby. Libby’s talking marriage and my folks don’t think she’s ready. Seems like there’s always a crisis in the Olsen household.”
“But Nate, you can’t keep putting your life on hold. If you wait for the right time, it’ll never be the right time.”
“You know, I’m approaching thirty fast. Maybe I should make ranching my life, like my dad says. Why am I fighting it so much? I should probably get married, have some kids. A ranch is a great place to raise a family.”
He paused and stared intensely into her eyes, but Carli pretended she didn’t get his meaning. She didn’t know where this thing with Nathan was going. Starting a family was not in her future. She didn’t see herself as being the motherly type.
“Nate, you can’t throw all your dreams away. You can’t live someone else’s life. We should make a pact. You tell your folks about your plans to become a world-famous bronze sculptor. And I’ll start the research to get serious about tracking my birth father down. Deal?”
“I’ll think about it,” was all he said before turning his attention back to his lunch.
Carli sighed. They were such a pathetic pair.
Chapter Fifteen
The drive home from the art museum was quiet, Nathan and Carli both lost in their own thoughts. Carli understood the turmoil that must be going on in his head. She had felt the same way trying to decide about giving up her life in Georgia and moving halfway across the country to claim an inheritance.
Spending the day with Nathan made her realize how much she missed having a close friend. Her previous business partner, Mark, had been her sounding board. It never got too intimate, but they talked every day about the Georgia riding school, their boarders, and their shared passion for horses. She missed that companionship. Despite people being around at the ranch, she still felt totally alone in Texas. Sure, she considered Buck and Lola family, but she was their employer after all. They worked for her. And Carli kept walls up against everyone she met. She knew that, but she had done it her whole life. Maybe because her mother had left; it was self-preservation. If you don’t get too close, then nobody can ever disappoint you.
Today with Nathan, she talked more than ever before. She didn’t remember sharing that much with anyone, even her former business partner and good friend, Mark.
Nathan glanced over at her. A moment of surprise showed on his face as if suddenly realizing she was still in the pickup.
“Where is Brad’s studio?” she asked, in hopes of getting Nathan to talk again. The silence made her think about the past and she didn’t want to linger there anymore.
“I do plan to call him and set up a date to visit. I’ll let you know.”
“And you’re going to talk to your parents. Right? After watching you today, Nate, you have to follow your passion. You’ll be miserable if you don’t.”
They were on a dirt road, almost to her ranch, when Nathan suddenly pulled the truck over to the side and shut off the engine.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
Slowly, quietly, he turned and leaned to her, putting one hand on her shoulder. “You’ve always been so encouraging, Carli. I have a lot to think about after today. You mean a lot to me and I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings at the museum.”
She knew he was moving in for a kiss and her heart pattered in anticipation. Part of her wanted to just let go and see what happened, but then her radar or gut feeling or whatever it was, signaled some sort of an alarm inside her. She placed a hand on his chest but found him immovable. “Nate, we’re friends. I really like you. But I’m not sure about this. Let’s go slow. Okay?”
His expression showed disappointment as he regrouped, leaned back in the driver’s seat, and cleared his throat. “Sure, Carli. Sorry. I guess I got caught up in the excitement of the day.”
“It’s okay, Nate. It was a super day. And I like you. But my feelings are a little mixed up so I think we should go slow.”
“What's his name?”
“Who?” A flash of Lank’s face hit her brain. Surely, she wasn’t that transparent.
“The guy in Georgia you decided to leave.”
She chuckled with relief. “Yes. There was a guy in Georgia. I thought he was the one but turned out he had his eyes set on someone else.”
“All right, Carli. Just know I really care about you and I’d like us to be more than just friends. But I’ll go slow and hope you catch up soon.”
She placed her hand on his forearm for a second and smiled as he started the truck and pulled onto the dirt road.
As they got closer to the Wild Cow Ranch headquarters, Carli snapped back to reality. She knew paperwork was waiting in her office, and she’d been wanting to ride Beau. She also wanted to give the other ranch horses a go in the
