She’s My Kind Of Rain (Rawlings Ranch #1)

Chapter 38

38

SAWYER - SEPTEMBER 16, 2004

I look out the barn door into the pasture that has seen so many seasons of my life. Taking in the crisp autumn air, I admire the horses as they graze, excited for the new chapter that is about to begin. I wasn’t sure this land would see cattle again, at least, not thanks to me, but come next week, the sounds of bellows and bawls will fill the air, the music of nature once more covering this land.

After messing up my meeting with Telluride and turning down the record deal, I’d been left in the same spot I’d been in before my music journey ever began. Lost in a sea of possibilities and unsure of what to do with my life. Daisy and I have spent so much time talking about our hopes and dreams and what our future could look like—together. And after much reflection, I came to the conclusion that construction work isn’t my calling.

But this ranch, this land, it calls to me. I can hear its song in the rush of its creeks. I can hear it floating on the wind fluttering the leaves, or in the joy that erupts in the whinnies of the horses. This place is a symphony and I find myself longing to be here, working the beautiful land that Pops gave me. It’s always been a wonder to me how someone who was so influenced by music didn’t choose to be surrounded by it all the time. But Pops had been. The music was everywhere. It just took some time for me to notice it. And now that I have, I know what I want to do with my life.

Gathering some fresh hay for both of the horses after mucking their stalls, I set a bale down and wipe the sweat from my brow. A whistle followed by a soft laugh comes from behind, and I swivel toward the sound, only to be met with an arm wrapping around my waist.

“Hey, Miss Daisy.” I smile, knowing that she was who my gaze would meet. Leaning in, I kiss her and grab the cold cup of apple cider from her other hand. Taking a long drink, I release a sigh, not noticing how tired I had been after all the work I did today in preparation for our new beginning.

“Everything looks great. You and Rhett really cleaned this place up.” I peer into her bright blue eyes, never happier than they have been lately, and my heart warms at the thought. “I guess this officially makes you a cowboy again, doesn’t it?” She winks.

“Hey, if that label gets me what it did last time, I can’t imagine what it’ll get me for being true.” I kiss her, pulling away to down the last of my cider.

“I never noticed how spacious this barn was until now. You could throw a party in here and the horses would never know.”

“That has happened on more than one occasion with Pops being the entertainer that he was.” I laugh, and then it hits me. “What if we turn that back room into a studio?”

I never thought her eyes could shine brighter, and yet they do.

“I would love that. I already know how to use all the sound boards and how to set up a studio, and I am sure we could find some of the stuff second-hand.” The excitement in her voice is all it takes for me to be both feet in without a second thought.

“I’d love to be your first artist, if you’ll have me…”

She literally jumps for joy, and I can already see her planning things in her head before she speaks again. “What should our name be?”

“Rawlings Ranch Records.” She says it so confidently, I can tell this has already been on her mind.

“I think that’s a perfect name, Dais.”

Her mouth curves upwards into that million dollar smile, and I can’t help but think after all of this—the music, the record deal, then leaving it all behind—we haven’t given up anything, but gained everything .