Jason

Things were slightly hectic without Rachel there. The order we’d been building was slightly off. I knew it, but I was too stubborn to admit it and kept trying to make things work.

There was some paperwork I just had to get done before I could make my rounds in the fields, and even then, I had to have my phone on for emergencies, instead of leaving her to focus on it.

I didn’t want to think about it, though, how her absence was affecting the ranch and me. Because all I kept going back to, was how Rachel had a toddler, and I’d had no idea about it. I hadn't gotten a close look at the boy. He was young, and she couldn’t have found someone so quickly after I’d left. Which meant, the child could have been conceived, while she was still with me.

Dammit, Rachel…how could you do this to me?

The feeling of betrayal was heavy on my chest.

Besides, I was getting the hang of it, and I was pretty sure the ranch could survive without her there for a bit. For a while.

“Hey, boss!”

I glanced up as on