The next morning, I woke up and went downstairs to talk to Minho about the news he dropped on me last night.
"I've slept on it like you said, Minho. But I still can't believe we might have to sell our home. Our legacy."
"Easy, now. I don't think that's where we'll wind up. It's just a worst-case scenario."
"That it's even an option is what worries me, Minho. Don't think I haven't noticed the missing ranch hands. Having them around wasn't just about getting repairs done, it made this place feel like one big family. And now..."
"Now it's only family. But we can manage without 'em, Pip. I know we can. We just gotta knuckle down."
"That might be enough to save this place, if I believed that was the only issue we were facing."
Minho sighs and taps a finger against the kitchen table.
"Jisung said more or less the same thing when he heard the ranch was hittin' hard times. It's why he quit the rodeo."
"He dropped everything to help us? Sounds like the Jisung I know. He may have his flaws, but deep down he's true blue. If there was any way he could help you, he'd do it."
"That's true. Whenever I've reached out, he's always been there. He's like family to me. No offense, (Y/N). You're blood. That's different."
"None taken."
"Point is, when it comes to savin' this place, wild horses couldn't've stopped Jisung. He loves the ranch as much as we do."
"I know that. I just wish Jisung had been honest with me from the start about why he came back."
"don't go gettin' cross with Jisung, now. It's my fault he didn't say anything. I asked him not to. I...didn't want to worry you, Pip."
"Even if I don't agree with you, I get it."
"Thanks. That means more'n you know. And I promise you, I won't keep things from you anymore."
"In that case, why don't you start with telling me how we got into this mess? I know we were never rich to begin with, but the ranch has always managed to sustain itself."
Minho can't quite meet my eyes.
"A while back, I bought a share in a top stud horse. Shoulda been a completely solid investment, no red flags, but...before the horse could even sire anything, it was lamed in a rodeo. No one wanted a foal from him after that."
"What about insurance?"
"Didn't even begin to cover the losses. When you buy a stake like that, you're paying for the horses potential. Insurers only pay out what the horse is worth at that exact moment."
"We must've lost thousands!"
"Thousands upon thousands. Not to mention the time. An entire foalin' season, down the drain."
"Oh, Minho...what rotten luck... Sometimes, things just don't go your way. Nothin' you can do to prevent that."
"Thanks for sayin' that, Pip. I'm tryin' not to take it personal, but it's hard hittin' every branch of the bad luck tree on your way down."
"You know, someone told me recently... You're gonna fail. What matters most is whether you get back up again."
Minho sighs heavily, shaking his head back and forth.
"I can't ask Jisung to stay around forever. And even if he wanted to, it wouldn't be enough to save us."
"What would be enough?"
"The only way I can see out of this is findin' some new ways to pull in some money to cover the gaps. I just wish I had some idea where to start."
Lee Know's finally opening up to me. And two heads are definitely better than one when it comes to saving our home.
"Let's get comfortable and start brainstormin'. I'm sure we'll come up with some good ideas to bring in a little more revenue."
Minho follows me into the living room, where we both settle into the couch.
"So what sorta ideas are you thinkin' of, Pip? I've been wrackin' my brain since that stud share fell through. We can't sell any of our breddin' stock if we have any chance of getting' out of this. How else can we bring in cash fast."
"What about that old mare we've been keepin' around for light work?"
"What about her? She's past her foalin' years. Honestly, I'm startin' to wonder if we can afford to keep her at all."
"What if we rented her out to that widow in town, Mrs. Wilderson? Y'know, the one who teaches horseback riding to kids. The mare's gentle, she's seen just about everything, so she won't spook. She'll get exercise and we'll make some cash on the side!"
"That could work. Too bad Mrs. Wilkerson never picks up her damn phone. Too busy with her flowers all day."
"Then why don't I meet her there? It'd be good to see an old familiar face, anyway."
Minho ponders for a minute...then I see him start to warm to the idea, face brightening as he nods slowly.
"You know what? Why the hell not. Don't get what you don't ask for, right?"
"Absolutely. Mark my words, Minho, this is the beginnin' of us turnin' things around for the ranch."
"Not if we just stand around here jawin' about it all day. Go on, get. I'll be waitin' to hear how it goes."
He tosses me the keys. I squeeze his shoulder on my way out, determined to make a difference for the ranch. Sometime later, I arrive at Mrs. Wilkerson's house. She invites me inside.
"It's so nice to see you, (Y/N)! And my, you've certainly grown up. What brings you here on such a fine summer mornin'?"
I quickly explain my idea, and soon she's nodding along.
"That might just work out for everyone...though I have to say, I never realized Lee Minho could be so canny."
"Actually, Minho's a really smart businessman. He's done a great job of runnin' things while I've been off at school."
"I had heard that. Folks in town are mighty proud of him. And of you, too, dear! I hear you have a degree and everything."
"Thanks, Mrs. Wilkerson. I'm hopin' that workin' together, Minho and I can make the ranch even better."
"I ain't got a doubt. You'll turn that place around yet. Though I'll admit, it's hard to imagine Minho actin' so grown up, considerin' what a rascal he and that Han Jisung were as youngsters. I still remember the night I woke up to them mowing 'Prom?' smack in the middle of my wildflower field."
"They didn't."
"made quite a racket doin' it, too! When I threw open my window, I gave 'em a fright. That's when they realized they had the wrong house... Neither of those knuckleheads thought to check the address of the girl Jisung intended to ask. She lived on Falcon Lane, not Falcon Drive."
She tilts her head back and laughs at the memory.
"I made them replant all my flowers, of course, but I never did tell your folks. They were just teenagers back then. Big ideas and bigger mistakes. And speakin' of ideas, let's hash out yours. I like it...but there's one teensy problem."
"Oh? What's that?"
"I've already been workin' with Colt Monroe. Says he's takin' up horses as a hobby. Wanted to keep it exclusive."
"Yeah, I'd heard he was dabblin' with horses..."
"He's been so eager to do business with me. I'd hate to back out on him now."
"I hear you, but do you really wanna work with Colt? If I can be frank, he isn't exactly Mr. Congeniality."
My candor makes her giggle.
"I'm not normally one for gossip, but you have a point. He's a bit..."
"Pretentious? Conceited? Pompous?"
"All of the above, honestly. And so pushy, too!"
"Does that mean you'll consider doin' business with us?"
"Just tell me your terms, darlin', and we'll get this sorted straight away."
Back at the house, I find Minho in his office.
"Our mare is officially employed at Mrs. Wilkerson's ridin' school. We can start next week!"
"Way to go, (Y/N)."
"Just promise you won't celebrate by mowing 'Prom?' into her field, alright?"
"She told you about that, huh?" He rubs the back of his neck.
"She was havin' a hard time reconcilin' my brilliant businessman brother with the hell-raiser she knew, actually."
"That's nothin'. You should hear about the time Jisung and I tried to sneak into the Saddle Horn when we were nineteen."
"Let me guess, you went shot for shot with the regulars."
"You really think we were that wild?"
"I think you were nineteen and your best friend was certified rascal Han Jisung. You can't blame me for thinkin' he roped you into trouble."
"Actually, we were only there 'cause Han was chasin' some girl. When isn't he, right?"
The story is from so long ago, I don't expect the ache that grips my heart at Minho's words.
'Jisung the player...' His reputation's practically a local legend. Why'd I assume it'd be any different with me?
"We mighta managed to hang around more'n half an hour if Jisung hadn't insisted on runnin' the pool table, and one thing led to another..."
He grimaces for effect, but a fond chuckle follows soon after.
"Speakin' of Jisung, how's it been havin' him back at the ranch full time? You enjoy havin' him around?" He asks me.
"What do you mean?"
"You two used to fight like cats and dogs when you were younger. I wanna be sure he's behavin' himself."
"Honestly, having Jisung around is always a fun time. I missed him while I was at college! It feels just like old times."
"Not gonna lie, (Y/N), I wasn't expectin' such a warm reaction."
"I guess I'm more...appreciative of him after bein' away for so long."
"Suppose that makes sense."
Minho's eyes narrow, and for a moment, I'm certain he's found me out. Then he shrugs.
"Never been away for a long enough stretch to know myself. But clearly you're grown enough to let bygones be bygones. Whereas Han's still...Jisung."
"Maybe the ranch has mellowed him out some. He seems to be fallin' into the rhythm of it pretty quick."
"For now, sure. But Jisung likes his work like he likes his women. No two days the same...or nights, as the case may be."
"Right. Sounds like you're sayin' we can't rely on him for long?"
"I'd trust Jisung with my life. I just don't trust him to stick around forever. But he won't go anywhere until we're in good shape. And speakin' of good shape, we oughta celebrate! The first new line of income the ranch has had in years!"
Minho pulls out the ranch account books and triumphantly adds the mare's rent to the 'income' column.
"Officially in the books. How 'bout that! Nice to see some money rollin' in for a change."
As he moves to close it, I throw my hand out across the page.
"Wait a second!"
"What, did I get the number wrong?"
My finger trails the expenses column. I tap the line that caught my eye.
"We only get grain delivery every month, but it says here were payin' for it biweekly. That means we're payin' double, right?"
"I...what?"
His eyes pore over the page and he sits back, letting out a low whistle.
"Dang, (Y/N). I never woulda caught that. Looks like all that time away at school was well-spent. I'll call up our supplier and let her know. She's good people, I'm sure she'll credit our account."
He gives me an appreciative smile before closing the books and locking them away for safekeeping. I decide to let the moment pass, opting instead to celebrate our first moment of triumph as a team.
"Thanks for lettin' me help, Minho. It feels good to be takin' steps in the right direction, even if they're baby steps."
"Of course. And don't worry too much, y'hear? I've gotten the ranch out of tough places before, Pip. I know I can do it again."
"I know you can. Especially since we've unlocked our secret weapon."
"Oh yeah? And what's that?"
"Isn't it obvious? Me!"
"If that's the case, how about my 'secret weapon' helps me stock the feedin' stations?"
"I walked right into that one, didn't I?"
I smile and follow him to the pastures. Minho and I drive out to the feeding stations. But when we get there, we find hay and oats scattered across the grass in all directions, the feeding station's empty!
"What they hay? Where did it all go? This ain't right. Do you think it was raccoons? They're clever enough to get in there. And if they found a free food source like this, they'd probably keep comin' back."
"Makes sense. And we've had problems with 'em in the past. They're cute, I'll give 'em that, but they're mean little suckers."
"What, do you think they did it to spite you?"
"I know they'll do it again if I can't sort out how to convince them to leave the all-you-can-eat Lee Ranch buffet."
"Oh, that? Easy, just mix a little dish soap with cayenne pepper. If you spray it around the perimeter of the feed block, they won't bother it."
"I'll be damned...are you serious?"
"Sure am. Raccoons hate the taste. If they so much as catch a whiff of that stuff, they'll steer clear."
"Well, how 'bout that? Thanks, Pip. You get more useful by the day."
"That's what I'm here for."
After doing my best to tidy up, I ride back to the paddock, where Jisung's walking Agusga around on a lead.
"Well done today, girl..."
Watching him work, I'm flooded with the memory of his kisses.
None of those thoughts, not now! What if Minho catches on?
"Howdy, Jisung. You need a lead next? You look like you spent the night sleepin' in the barn." Minho laughs.
"That's rich comin' from a man covered head to toe in hay. And don't get me started on the smell..." Jisung fires back.
"That's my musk, Jisung. Drives the ladies wild."
"More like it drives 'em away."
"Hey now, you're not likey to catch a lotta gals yourself, lookin' like that. And even if you could, word on the street is that you're a cheap date...not to mention a quick one."
"I think you both oughta grow up. Seriously, is this what the two of you do when I'm not around?" I ask chuckling.
"If I'm bein' honest, it's pretty much constant..." Minho answers me.
"And usually less polite." Jisung adds.
"Well, good thing I'm here to keep you in line."
"Is that what you think you're doin'?"
There's a heat to his words that I know is intended only for me. In spite of my resolution, my thoughts turn steamier.
"As fun as all this is, I gotta run to town for some supplies. Fixin' to make myself some raccoon spray... Might even get myself a nice pair of boots, given the extra money we got comin' in.
"You should! You deserve them."
"Extra money? How'd you swing that?" Jisung asks curisouly.
"Actually, it was Pip's idea. She worked out a new stream of income with the widow. And got us a credit with our feed supplier."
"We were workin' together"
"We can argue about credit later. For now, you two hold down the fort while I buy some much-needed supplies."
"Anything in particular you want us to get started on?"
"You can muck the stalls out. Oh, and pull a half dozen hay bales down from the loft."
"I think we can handle that...if you bring me a treat from town."
"Blackmail already, huh? What's your poison? Back when you were little, used to be a can of pop and a candy bar."
"Blackmail already, huh? What's your poison? Back when you were little, used to be a can of pop and a candy bar."
"Least I can do, after all you've done for the ranch today."
He pulls a shopping list from his pocket and adds my items to his order.
"I suppose you're too old for me to tell you not to spoil your dinner. Oh, but that reminds me...Jisung, those steaks you wanted are in the fridge. If you need potatoes and onions for homemade fries, they're in the cellar."
"Thanks, Minho. I'll see to it."
With that, Minho departs for the store, leaving me and Jisung alone for the first time since our kiss. Jisung walks Agusga into the stables and I follow him inside, where the two of us start mucking the stalls.
"So...why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what?"
"How bad it was around this place, Jisung. Minho told me last night we might have to sell."
"Well I...Dammit, I'm sorry, (Y/N). I wanted to, but Minho told me not to."
"I feel so stupid. I know that I should have seen it. The signs were all there."
"Don't say that. You're smarter'n a whip, (Y/N). But it's hard to keep track of all the movin' parts around a place like this."
"Maybe. Or maybe I just believe what I wanted to."
Jisung pauses to rest his foot against the kickplate of his shovel.
"Anyone woulda in your position. Especially with Minho doin' everything he could to help you to believe his version of things."
"I know. And it's not makin' me feeling any better about the situation."
"For what it's worth, I only found out myself a few weeks before you got here. I'd been thinkin' of takin' a break from the circuit anyway. When Minho said he'd had to let Frank go, I came straight here."
"Minho made it sound like he couldn't keep you away."
"He was right. Especially once I got here and saw things stood. Let's just say it wasn't pretty."
"Worse than it is now?"
"Oh yeah. Trust me, (Y/N), it's lucky you didn't have to see that."
"I promise I'm not catastrophizin', but I need to know... Are we gonna lose this place?"
Jisung folds his arms across his chest, refusing to meet my gaze.
"You Lee's are tough. Together, you can get through anything. And now that it's out in the open, y'all are in a better spot."
"Is that right? Then there's somethin' else we should probably get out in the open, Jisung."
"I don't know what you're talkin' about."
Jisung strides out of the stable towards the tack room. I refuse to let him avoid the conversation that easily.
"Oh? So you wouldn't mind if I told Minho about that kiss? About what's buildin' up between you and me? Hell, I can tell him about all the other kisses too. And the times your hands lingered where they shouldn't..."
Jisung's gaze snaps back to me. The fire in his eyes catches and sparks as he takes in my words.
"There's no need to tell him, (Y/N). There ain't gonna be any you and me. Kissin' you was a mistake I won't make again."
"Jisung...why do you keep fightin' this? There's no reason we can't just--"
"Stop right there, (Y/N). We both know there's a damn good reason to end this. You're Minho's kid sister. You're off-limits."
My pulse quickens as I watch him clench his fists, desperately trying to fight the feelings between us.
"Bullshit! It's not his decision. I'm an adult, Jisung. My big brother doesn't get to decide who I'm with."
"I'm not sayin' it's right. I'm just tryin' to be respectful of his wishes."
"What about my wishes? Because if you ask me, lettin' my brother dictate my life is straight infantilizin'. And a cop-out. I've told you what I want. You're the one who can't admit it, God knows why."
Jisung shakes his head, as though he can cast the traitorous thoughts from his mind.
"I can't take back what we've done, but we can't keep carryin' on like this..."
Even as he's denying me, Jisung reaches out to me, fingers stopping inches away from mine.
"Just be honest with me. You owe me at least that much."
"Fine. If I'm being honest...I want you. Bad. Ever since that kiss, I can't get you outta my head. The smell of you, the taste of you..."
He swallows hard, eyes roaming over my body.
"And even though I know it's wrong, I still want you, right this very second. Bein' this close and not touchin' you...it's killin' me, (Y/N). There. That's as honest as I know how to be. You gonna show me the same courtesy?"
"Honestly, I want you, Jisung."
"Is that right? What exactly do you want from me, (Y/N)?"
"Eyes never leaving Jisung's, I take his hand in mine and move it between my legs. Jisung gasps at the warmth radiating from me."
"I want you to make me feel good, Jisung."
"Dammit, (Y/N)..."
I'm not sure who moves first, but in an instant, we're upon each other. His chin is rough against the skin of my neck as he kisses his way along my throat. My head rolls to the side to give him better access. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see him getting more and more excited, the fabric of his jeans straining to contain him.
"Yes..."
Jisung's arms snake around my waist and he pulls me closer, I cup one hand around the nape of his neck, moving the other to the small of his back. Jisung's tongue moves past my lips, pressing against my own in a way that makes me moan against his mouth.
"Mmm..."
Taking a page from Jisung's book, I use my nose to nudge my way into the crook of his neck.
"Mmm...feels nice."
He sighs as I press a soft kiss to his throat, then moans as I press my teeth into his neck. I run the length of my tongue over the spot to soothe it before pressing my lips to it again in a soft kiss.
"Ohhhh...I like that..."
He clutches me tightly, hand inching up the nape of my neck to hold me against him.
"You like that?"
"So much..."
Jisung presses himself against me, and we stumble backwards, bodies locked together.
"I think I need firmer footin' if we're gonna keep goin' with this."
"You lead, I'll follow."
I push myself up onto the tack table, spreading my legs in invitation. Jisung moves towards me as though hypnotized. He grips my backside, fingertips kneading into my flesh, leaning forward to press his lips to mine.
"Someone's frisky..."
Jisung grins through a kiss, then takes my bottom lip between his teeth
"I saw my chance, so I took it..."
"How about this, then?"
Still kissing him, I move a hand down between his legs, sucking in a breath as I reach my target.
"Yes..." he moans.
I feel his arousal pulsing against me and I wrap my hand around him, stroking lightly over his jeans.
"More, Jisung..."
At my plea, Jisung's lips sear across my skin, which only stokes the fire within me. It's almost too much to bear. With eager hands, I rip Jisung's shirt from his body. He stands there, stunned, as buttons fly.
"I just bought that, you know."
"I'll buy you a new one."
I'd do anything, pay any price, to see him like this...bare-skinned, begging to be touched. I kiss a scorching path across Jisung's pecs and feel a surge of pleasure as his breaths become labored. When our lips finally connect, he rocks against me, shaking the tack table with every thrust. I break away, biting down against his bare shoulder to stifle my moans. The pulse between my thighs is building to an ache. I know I can't endure much more.
"Jisung....I want to touch you."
"I won't argue with that request."
Jisung raises his arms in mock surrender, then sucks a lip beneath his teeth as I move my hand between his legs.
"Don't stop, (Y/N)..."
I begin tugging Jisung's belt buckle free. I make quick work of his jeans, and before I know it, I'm holding his hardened length in my hand.
"Damn, (Y/N), that's..."
"Do you want me to stop?"
I pause, relishing the way Jisung throbs against my palm.
"No. Don't stop."
Jisung bites his lips as I continue, varying the speed and strength of my strokes, using his moans to guide me.
"I told you that you wanted me."
"I do. More than's good for me. More than's good for either of us."
Jisung groans as he pulls himself away.
"Jisung, we both want this. Why fight the inevitable?"
Jisung shakes his head.
"I should be fightin' it harder, (Y/N). You heard what Minho said the other night. He'd kill anyone who'd hurt you."
"But you would never hurt me..."
"You don't know that!"
Jisung takes a step away from me, hands balling into fists once again.
"I do, Jisung. I know you better than you realize. Sometimes I think I see you clearer then you see yourself."
Jisung's throat works as he takes that in. Finally, with effort, he shakes his head.
"Even if you're right, it don't matter. Minho would never understand. And I can't let him down, (Y/N). I won't."
Before I can convince him otherwise, Jisung turns his back on me, sucking in deep breaths to steady himself. He snatches his shirt from the barn floor and shrugs into it.
"I'm sorry, (Y/N). You're right. I want you. But that doesn't mean it can happen."
With one last look of remorse, Jisung hurries out the door, leaving me alone. In the time it takes to complete my chores, I've compose myself enough to head back to the house for dinner. Later that night, I've just finished a hot shower, and head down to the kitchen for a snack. Jisung and Minho are sitting at the kitchen table, both grinning.
"This is exactly the kinda thing we need." Minho says.
"Happy to help boost morale." Jisung replies.
"What's got you two actin' like a couple kids with a shiny new toy?"
"Sorry, did we wake you?" Jisung asks as he swallows hard, seemingly unable to pull his eyes away from me, and I feel a column of heat moving through my body.
"Just got out of the shower, actually."
My eyes lock with Jisung's, but Minho's too busy grinning to notice the intensity of our mutual gaze.
Judging from the look in his eyes, Jisung's thinkin' back to this afternoon's activities, too.
"I'll let you tell her, Jisung. It's your big news, after all."
"I'm goin' back to the rodeo."
"Wait 'til you see him ride, Pip! Then you'll know what everyone's been talkin' about..."
"Wait, seriously? But I thought..."
I swallow down the wave of sorrow at the idea that Jisung will be leaving me. Maybe Jisung's really as much of a wanderer as everyone's told me.
"Okay. Minho, should we look around for a hand?"
"(Y/N), Jisung ain't rejoinin' the circuit, he's just headin' to Tulsa for one event."
"Oh. But...why?" I ask.
"Purse is the biggest they've had in years. The folks that own the arena want a real turnout." Jisung answers.
I take a deep, steadying breath, trying not to let how much the possibility of Jisung's departure shook me show on my face.
"How long will you be gone?"
"That's the best part. It's not just him that'll be gone. Pack your bags, Pip...we're all headin' to the rodeo!"