Chapter 232
“I didn’t expect this many people,” I whispered to Adrian as we entered.
The bar was packed. Ranchers, truck drivers, regular patrons, and locals I’d never seen before all gathered to pay their respects. Despite the occasion, the atmosphere wasn’t somber. People were drinking, laughing, sharing stories about Buck.
Jessie spotted us from behind the bar and hurried over, pulling me into a tight hug.
“You came,” she said, sounding genuinely surprised.
“Of course I did,” I replied, returning her embrace.
When we pulled apart, Jessie’s eyes dropped to my left hand, widening at the sight of the ring Adrian had given me.
“You got married?” she exclaimed, grabbing my hand to examine the ring. “And you didn’t tell me?”
“We didn’t have a ceremony,” I explained, feeling my cheeks warm. “Just went traveling for a month and made it official.
Jessie glanced at Adrian, who stood politely beside me. “You’re still so handsome.
Adrian extended his hand. “You look good too.”
“Buck left the place to me. Can you believe it? Apparently, he had it all set up with his lawyer years ago. Said I was the only one who wouldn’t run it into the ground.”
“That sounds like Buck,” I said, smiling despite the sadness. “How did it happen?”
“Exactly how he would have wanted,” Jessie said. “He drank himself to sleep and never woke up. No pain, no fuss.”
She lowered her voice. “He was asking about you, you know. Wanted you to come to his Halloween bash. Tried calling, but…”
“I was… away,” I said, remembering the Alpha King trials that had consumed October and November. “I’m sorry I missed his calls.”
“He understood,” Jessie assured me. “Said you had your own life, now. He was proud of you for moving on.”
The sentiment brought unexpected tears to my eyes. Buck had been more than just a boss. He’d been a lifeline when I’d needed one most.
“Hey, is that silver hair I see?” a familiar voice called out.
I turned to find Caleb approaching, his cowboy hat in hand and a bright smile on his face. Beside him stood a sturdy woman with sun–kissed skin and an open, friendly expression.
“Caleb,” I greeted him with a genuine smile. “Good to see you.”
“This here’s Monica,” he said, placing his hand on the small of the woman’s back. “My girlfriend.”
‘Didn’t expect you to come too,” Monica said, her handshake firm and confident.
“How have you been?” I asked Caleb.
“Actually, I moved back to Boring for good,” he said. “Leased a small ranch just outside town. Running my own operation now.
“That’s wonderful,” I said sincerely.
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Chapter 232
*Spent last year traveling around,” he continued, “but nowhere felt right. Came back here and realized this was home all along
I nodded in understanding. “This place has a way of growing on you.”
As the afternoon wore on, people took turns sharing stories about Buck. Some made us laugh, others brought tears. Through it all, Adrian stayed close, his hand warm in mine, anchoring me as memories of my time in Boring washed over me.
When the formal part of the memorial concluded, we said our goodbyes to Jessie, promising to keep in touch this time. As we headed toward the door, I paused, looking back at the bar one last time.
I remembered walking through that blue door a year ago, lost and alone, looking for any job that would keep me fed.
I remembered Adrian pushing through that same door two months later, his presence immediately filling the room, changing the course of my life forever.
“Goodbye, Buck, I whispered. “Goodbye, Watering Hole.”
As we walked to the car, Adrian took my hand.
Adrian’s amber eyes caught the setting sun as he said:
“How can we say goodbye? As we said, just like hello.”
