Free No Limits by Katherine Garbera

she’d ever had.
    â€œSounds good. If you go get dinner, I’ll pick up some cold beer at the grocery store. We can eat in the park,” she said.
    â€œSounds like a plan. See you there in thirty minutes.”
    He walked out of the conference room and she sat there for a few more minutes before Shirley came in.
    â€œAre you almost finished?”
    â€œI am.”
    She left the law offices and walked down to the small grocery store to pick up drinks and dessert. Then she carried the bag back to the park. She sat on the same bench they’d used that morning.
    The day hadn’t turned out at all as she’d expected. Everything had changed—how she saw Jason, what the future of the ranch might be. She felt panic in her stomach the way she did whenever things changed. Sometimes she felt like the big, worn oak tree that stood behind the barn. Rooted so deeply that the wind barely made the branches sway. She liked it. Consistency was what she wanted and needed. She knew things couldn’t stay the same, that change was necessary. But as much as she knew she needed to accept Jason’s plan for a new facility in order to keep the ranch in the family and to ensure its continued success, she wasn’t too sure about it.
    â€œYou’re looking way too serious for a picnic,” Jason said as he walked up to her. Now he had a baseball cap on, not his usual cowboy hat, and his sunglasses hid his eyes from her.
    â€œDad used to say I could worry about a new pair of shoes.” It wasn’t much of an answer, but maybe he’d let it go. Please , she thought.
    â€œYou always have been very serious. I have a suggestion, if you’re game.”
    â€œI wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t,” she said.
    â€œGood. I parked next to your truck. Why don’t we head back toward the ranch? I know a nice, secluded spot where we can eat our dinner.”
    That suited her just fine. She needed time alone with her thoughts.
    They went back to the trucks, and Molly followed Jason’s pickup until he pulled off the road. Then he got out of his truck and hopped in the cab of hers.
    â€œThis is our property,” she said.
    â€œI know. Drive toward that copse of trees,” he said.
    She nodded, putting the truck back in gear. They bounced over the field as the sun started sinking low toward the horizon. She parked near the trees. Jason got out and then walked around to the bed of the pickup. He put down the tailgate as she joined him and he climbed into the back of the truck, unfolding a blanket that he must have tossed back there before he’d gotten in the cab.
    â€œYou’ve thought of everything.”
    â€œI try. Part of my job is being prepared for anything,” he said.
    â€œYou must be very good at it.”
    â€œI am. That’s why I’m determined to make this facility work,” he said.
    She sat on the tailgate and then swung her legs up, settling down next to Jason on the blanket. She pulled the grocery bag closer and handed him an ice-cold Lone Star beer before taking out a tub of potato salad and some forks. “I didn’t get any plates. I figured we could share.”
    â€œThat works for me,” he said, giving her a sandwich.
    She opened the paper wrapping and closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of the barbecue beef sandwich. “I swear heaven must smell like this.”
    He laughed and she blushed. “It’s been a while since I’ve done this.”
    â€œI’m sorry I wasn’t around when your dad died,” he said.
    â€œIt’s okay. Today in that meeting, I realized you are doing exactly what you should be.”
    â€œI’ve always thought so, but now I’m questioning it,” he said, taking a big bite of his sandwich.
    She watched him chew before shaking herself and turning away.
    â€œThat’s just because of your health.”
    â€œAnd you,” he said.
    She knew he meant the ranch